Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection

Don Nicoll

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

5-3-2002

Interview Number

MOH 343

Abstract

Harry Cummings McPherson, Jr. was born in Tyler, Texas in August of 1929. An only child, McPherson graduated from high school at the age of 15 and began college at Southern Methodist University. McPherson eventually completed his undergraduate work at Sewanee University. He obtained his master’s degree from Columbia University, but shortly after was enlisted into the Air Force. Upon returning home, McPherson went to the University of Texas Law School. McPherson began his involvement in politics after he got out of law school and went to work for Texas Senator Lyndon B. Johnson as an assistant. McPherson worked on the Senate Democratic Policy Committee as well and encountered many politicians including Senator Edmund Muskie.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: educational background; family background; growing up in Tyler, Texas; working for Lyndon B. Johnson; working in Washington, D.C.; first recollection of Edmund Muskie; description of Phil Hart; young Senators in Washington in the 1960s; descriptions of Edmund Muskie and Eugene McCarthy; story about Frank Coffin being appointed as a federal judge; and a story about Muskie’s call for Nixon’s impeachment.

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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