B. Robert "Bob" Lewis Papers

Collection

Identifier: M/A 0395

Staff Only

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Description of Contents

Newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, video recording, and campaign materials documenting Bob Lewis' campaigns for state senate, work as a senator, and death.

Materials in this collection were compiled by Lewis' campaign manager, Louis Schoen.

Dates

1970 - 1986

Creator

Lewis, B. Robert (Person)
Schoen, Louis (Person)

Access Restrictions

The physical collection is available for use in Special Collections during the department’s open hours. Photographs from this collection are available in the B. Robert 'Bob' Lewis Collection in the Hennepin County Library Digital Collections.

Biography

B. Robert "Bob", "Bert" Lewis, Sr. was a Minnesota state senator representing St. Louis Park from 1973 to 1979. He was the first known African American to serve in the Minnesota Senate. Lewis was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and passionate about issues affecting the poor and mentally ill.

Lewis was born November 2, 1931 in Hutchinson, Kansas. He graduated from the University of Kansas, including a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1960. Before becoming a state senator, Dr. Lewis served on the St. Louis Park school board and the Minnesota State Board of Education. He died from a heart attack on April 25, 1979.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Donor Information

This collection was donated by Dot Savage in April 2022 as accession 2022.19.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jenna Jacobs in May 2022.

Subjects

African American legislators -- Minnesota Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Legislators -- Minnesota Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Political campaigns -- Minnesota Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Politicians -- Minnesota Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
St. Louis Park (Minn.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings