Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection

Authors

Mike Richard

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

8-24-1999

Interview Number

MOH 146

Abstract

Ronald Kellam was born in Portland, Maine on October 21, 1928. His father, Robert Kellam, was a paperhanger and his mother, Freda Edith (Nelson) Kellam, raised their ten children. He grew up in a Democratic family, but they were not politically active. He served in the Army in Korea and attended Bates for one semester. He then joined the Navy for a year, but was discharged and attended Boston University Law School. He ran for State Legislature in 1958 after working as an attorney in Portland. He then ran for State Congress in 1962, 1966, and 1968. In 1968 and 1970 he ran for State Senate.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: family history; Portland, Maine history; Education Committee; the “Miranda” case; New England Board of Higher Education; Coffin versus Reed campaign; Maine Legislature 1958-1962 and 1968-1972; Muskie as a leader; the John F. Kennedy/Lyndon Johnson campaign; and the 1968 vice presidential campaign.

Use Restrictions

Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018.

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