Sidney S. McMath Papers Addendum

Collection

Identifier: MC 899a

Staff Only
Select files to request

Scope and Content Note

Materials include correspondence and other personal papers; photographs and negatives; artifacts; scrapbooks; and oversize materials. Correspondence and personal papers include materials related to the political career and personal life of Sid McMath, as well as Anne McMath materials. Among the Anne McMath materials are notes related to her research on the first ladies of Arkansas. Photographs include items from Sid McMath's service in World War II, his term as governor, and family photographs dating primarily from his career as governor through the last years of his life. Artifacts are four "Governor of Arkansas" license plates and a negative printing plate featuring an image of Sid McMath. Scrapbooks include an album of Sid and Anne's wedding; family photograph collections; materials related to his career as governor, including images of President Harry Truman's visit to Arkansas; and images related to the book signing of Anne's book, First Ladies of Arkansas. Oversize materials include gubernatorial campaign materials, political cartoons, photographs, articles on Sid and Anne McMath, newspapers, and other items.

Dates

1912-2003

Creator

McMath, Sid (Person)

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

Sidney S. McMath was born June 14, 1912, in Columbia County, the second child of Hal and Nettie Sanders McMath. During the 1920's, the family moved to Hot Springs (Garland County). After McMath graduated from Hot Springs high school, he attended the University of Arkansas and earned a Bachelor of Arts and Law degree in 1936. McMath married Elaine Broughton in 1937 and opened a law office in Hot Springs (Garland County).

During World War II, McMath served in the Marines and in 1945 left active duty with the rank of lieutenant colonel. The McMath's first son, Sidney Sandy, was born in 1941. Elaine McMath died the next year. McMath later married Anne Phillips in 1944. After the war, McMath returned to Hot Springs where his second son, Phillip, was born. McMath and his wife had three more children; James Bruce in 1949 and twin girls, Patricia and Melissa in 1953.

McMath and other veterans in Hot Springs formed a GI political group who fought against widespread corruption in the city by running candidates against the incumbents in county elections. McMath successfully ran for prosecuting attorney in 1946 and helped abolish a twenty-year rule of machine politics. Two years later McMath ran for governor of Arkansas and was elected. During his two-term administration, highways were constructed, educational reforms initiated, medical facilities upgraded, and Governor McMath worked to improve conditions for blacks in Arkansas. McMath was defeated in his bid for a third term in 1952. He attempted two political comebacks. In 1954 McMath was narrowly defeated by incumbent John L. McClellan for the U.S. Senate, and Governor Orval Faubus defeated all opponents, including McMath, in the 1962 Democratic primary. After McMath left office he practiced law in Little Rock and remained active in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Sidney S. McMath died at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas, on October 5, 2003.