Sterling Munro Papers

Avril Madison, Manuscripts and University Archives

A native of Wisconsin, Sterling Munro grew up in Bellingham, Washington, and spent most of his adult life working for U.S. Representative, later Senator, Henry M. Jackson. Manuscripts and University Archives recently completed processing the collection of Sterling Munro papers, which was donated to the UW Libraries in 1995 by his widow, Gene Munro. The archival arrangement and description of the papers were completed under a grant from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation.

In 1961, Munro was appointed Jackson's administrative assistant, becoming the youngest a.a. in the Senate at the time, and serving as Jackson's chief aide and campaign manager. Dubbed "Washington's Silent Senator," Munro expertly facilitated the Senator's legislative agenda, particularly in regard to natural resources, conser-vation, and the power industry of the Northwest.

The papers document Munro's civil service and consultant careers through 1981, and his political activities as a private citizen through 1990. They also complement the Henry M. Jackson Papers donated in 1983. Approximately two-thirds of the Munro accession contains material generated during his tenure on Jackson's staff, and primarily chronicle Jackson's Senate campaigns, his two bids for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1972 and 1976, and his legislative efforts. A guide and inventory are available from Manuscripts and University Archives, 543-1879 or by e-mail at mssarc@u.washington.edu.