Robert P. Knowles papers, 1906-1985.

2.4 cubic feet (7 archives boxes), 2 tape recordings, 2 reels of microfilm, 282 photographs, 26 negatives, and 26 pieces of ephemera (in 1 archives box and 1 oversize folder)

Papers, mainly 1935-1976, of Knowles, a Wisconsin state legislator and Republican Party leader, together with some personal papers of his brother, Warren P. Knowles III, governor of Wisconsin, 1965-1971.
About Robert Knowles there are biographical clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, and an oral history interview conducted by Tim Ericson; correspondence, orders, logs, a Normandy Invasion notebook, and training materials concerning experiences as an Army Air Force bomber pilot during World War II; speeches and press materials issued as a state legislator; records pertaining to his 1964, 1972, and 1976 election campaigns; papers concerning his leadership in organizations concerned with improved legislative operations such as the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Citizens Conference on State Legislatures; and contracts and correspondence about his work as manager of National Republican conventions in 1960, 1968, 1972, and 1976. Among the prominent correspondents are Ray C. Bliss, Ody Fish, Ernest Keppler, and Stanley York.
Photographs in the collection date circa 1944-1981. Though a few are from Knowles' military service and several show his family or other personal activities, most images reflect his political career. Included are images from his swearing-in ceremony, the 1964 and 1968 Republican National Conventions, other conferences, speeches, and other events.
The Warren P. Knowles papers primarily relate to research on the Knowles, Nichols, and Blakeney families. Also included are some miscellaneous financial papers of Warren P. Knowles III and of Judge Warren Knowles, father of Robert and Warren. The personal and gubernatorial papers of Warren Knowles are separately cataloged.

COLLECTION STORED, ALL or IN-PART, AT ARC: Collection can be requested for transfer through the Area Research Center (ARC) Network, consult Reading Room Staff.

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright may have not been transferred to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Presented by Tim Ericson, Madison, Wisconsin, 1987, and by Mrs. Lou Knowles, New Richmond, Wisconsin, 1981 and 1990.

Portions of this collection are available only on microfilm.