26 linear feet, 60 containers

The material in this collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, notes, reports, schedules, telephone messages, speeches, newspaper clippings and printed material. The majority of these files are made up of expressions of congratulations upon President Carter’s election as President and letters of recommendation to the President regarding possible executive branch employees. Campaign strategies, routine activities of the President, requests for support, efforts to win his party’s nomination, and the general election against Ronald Reagan are well documented.

Office of the Personal Assistant and Secretary to the President Susan Clough served as the Personal Assistant/Secretary to the President Carter. She was responsible for a host of activities concerning the day-to-day work of President Carter. She worked closely with the President on domestic, international, and personal and family-oriented matters. In addition to handling the normal secretarial and clerical duties inherent in her job, Clough dealt with subjects such as political matters, domestic and foreign issues, press relations, and President Carter's personal life.

She was among those closest to the day-to-day operations of the Carter Administration. Clough's association with President Carter began in 1971 while he was governor of Georgia. She continued to serve in various capacities during his governorship, presidential campaign, and presidency. Her association with President Carter continued for approximately two years after he left office that is also reflected in these papers.

Biographical information on key office personnel is located at the end of the finding aid.

Textual

Arrangement Note: A small portion of the Susan Clough File had been stolen and later recovered and held as evidence by the FBI. It was subsequently returned to the Carter Library. That material has been re-filed into the collection. A processing note has been placed at the front of each folder of this material. Also some folder titles are followed by Oversize Attachments. An (O/A) designation means the material had been separated from the rest of the Clough files in the White House for convenience of storage, but has been integrated into the papers.

The records of Susan Clough, Personal Secretary to the President are divided into 10 series:

Series I: Susan Clough’s 1976 Correspondence Files - NAID 155129

Scope and Content: Containers 1-24. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, notes, newspaper clippings, publications, schedules, and photographs. The majority of these files are made up of expressions of congratulations upon President Carter's election as President and letters of recommendation to the President regarding possible executive branch employees. The correspondence was sent by a wide range of individuals from national and local politicians, celebrities, to long-time Carter acquaintances, and ordinary citizens. Arranged alphabetically by name.

 

Series II: Susan Clough’s 1975-76 Campaign Trip Files - NAID 155291

Scope and Content: Container 25-33. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, schedules, reports, notes, and newspaper clippings. The documents in this series detail the presidential campaign of Jimmy Carter. Also included is information from the early campaign activities through the 1976 Democratic National Convention. Arranged chronologically.

 

Series III: Susan Clough’s 1980 Political Files - NAID 155409

Scope and Content: Containers 34-39. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, notes, newspaper clippings, reports, schedules, and briefing materials. This series provides in-depth material regarding President Carter's re-election bid. His efforts to win his party's nomination as well as the general election against Ronald Reagan are well-documented in these files. Arranged alphabetically by subject and there under chronologically.

 

Series IV: Susan Clough’s Subject Files - NAID 155464

Scope and Content: Containers 40-44. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, reports, notes, and printed material. The material illustrates the routine activities of the President. Also included are requests for autographs and photographs; travel arrangements for the President; presidential gifts, and White House personnel matters. Materials relating to various aspects of Jimmy Carter’s personal life and his duties as President are also included. Arranged alphabetically by subject and there under chronologically.

 

Series V: Jimmy Carter Personal Files - NAID 155534

Scope and Content: Containers 45-46. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, notes, newspaper clippings, and photographs. Included is correspondence from friends and acquaintances of the President. Arranged alphabetically by name.

 

Series VI: Susan Clough’s White House Inauguration And Invitation Files - NAID 155550

Scope and Content: Containers 47-49. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, invitation lists, and schedules. This material relates to the make-up of plans and activities concerning the 1977 presidential inauguration. Also included are invitations to social functions, such as state dinners at the White House. Arranged alphabetically and chronologically thereunder.

 

Series VII: Susan Clough’s 1976 Congratulatory Files - NAID 155602

Scope and Content: Containers 50-51. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence and telegrams composed mainly of telegrams from individuals in other countries to President Elect-Carter expressing their congratulations upon his election. Arranged alphabetically subject and chronologically thereunder.

 

Series VIII: Susan Clough’s 1980 Political Telephone Call Files - NAID 155634

Scope and Content: Containers 52-54. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of notes, telephone call sheets, and memoranda including notes on telephone conversations between President Carter or Mrs. Carter and individuals involved in the elections of 1980. Included also are campaign strategies and requests for support from politicians. Arranged chronologically.

 

Series IX: Susan Clough’s Resignation Letters Files - NAID 155662

Scope and Content: Containers 55-56. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, and staff name lists of White House members who submitted letters of resignation to the President. Some of President Carter's responses are also included. Arranged alphabetically by name.

 

Series X: Susan Clough’s Post-Presidential Files - NAID 155675

Scope and Content: Containers 57-60. This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, schedules, photographs, and newspaper clippings. This material relates to her work after the 1980 election when she worked as his secretary for one year in Plains, Georgia. A large portion of the material in this file is devoted to President and Mrs. Carter's trip to China and Japan. As Clough's post-presidential work with President Carter was brief, there is not much material on the former President's activities for which he has received attention. Arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically thereunder.

These papers contain documents restricted in accordance with applicable executive order(s), which governs National Security policies, applicable statutes/agency restrictions, and material which has been closed in accordance with the donor’s deed of gift.

Copyright interest in these papers has been donated to the United States Government. Some of the records may be subject to copyright restrictions (i.e. newspapers, publications, etc.). Researchers should contact the publisher for further information.

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum 

441 Freedom Parkway NE Atlanta, GA 30307

Campaign Briefings

Foreign policy

Clough, Susan Sebesta (1945-2024)

Wells, Ida Maxine "Maxie" (1949- )

United States Secret Service

Georgia

Japan

China

The first series of the collection was opened in 1994.

1975-1982

Presidential Files:

Plains Files

Records of the Office of the Staff Secretary


Post-Presidential Files:

Office of Jimmy Carter, Director of Scheduling - Trip and Event Files, 1981-2022 [unprocessed]

Susan Clough’s 1976 Correspondence Files

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Susan Clough’s 1975-1976 Campaign Trip Files

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Susan Clough’s 1980 Political Files

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Susan Clough’s Subject Files

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Jimmy Carter’s Personal Files

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Susan Clough’s White House Inauguration and Invitation Files

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Susan Clough’s 1976 Congratulatory Files

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Susan Clough’s 1980 Political Telephone Call Files

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Susan Clough’s Resignation Letters Files

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Susan Clough’s Post-Presidential Files

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