Interview with Barry Bingham Sr.

Partial Transcript: I wanted to get your first impressions of your father and when you first remember him, and, just in general, the things you remember.

Segment Synopsis: Bingham recalls his earliest memories of his father "in a baby buggy" and notes that most of his impressions were made much later when Robert Bingham was middle-aged and his mother had already passed.

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Partial Transcript: You mention his, the way he looked in his mid-thirties, how would you describe him, other than his physical appearance?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham gives a detailed physical and personal description of his father, characterizing him as representing the "good side of the South."

Keywords: colonel; dialect; military; personality; southern; upper south

Subjects: Civil War

Partial Transcript: I've seen a lot correspondence, reading some now, a lot of correspondence about hunting...

Segment Synopsis: Bingham details one of his fathers favorite past-times.

Keywords: bird-hunting

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Back when, in your childhood, what are some childhood memories that you have about your father?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham discusses his earliest memories about his father, characterizing him as a dedicated family man who was committed to improving the his adopted state of Kentucky.

Keywords: agriculture; economy; education; family; politics; public service

Subjects: Bingham School

Partial Transcript: What do you remember about [inaudible]... do you remember your grandfather?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham recalls memories of his grandfather, a Confederate colonel who was present during the surrender of Appomattox and teacher at the Bingham School.

Keywords: education; military

Subjects: Bingham School Civil War Robert E. Lee

Partial Transcript: Did your father take an interest in the school?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham explains the reason his father decided to settle in Kentucky, and details some of his earliest friends in Louisville.

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Subjects: Louisville, KY William Davies

Partial Transcript: Who were some of your other, your father's closest friends?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham discusses his fathers friends in Louisville, noting his affinity for Confederate veterans and hunting circles.

Keywords: confederate

Subjects: Hadleman John Breckinridge Castleman

Partial Transcript: Your father took a great interest in philanthropy, you mention the Kentucky Children's Home, did you ever hear him talk about those groups?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham details his fathers interest in public service throughout the state and outlines a few of the issues he championed, as well as how so much travel affected his health.

Keywords: agriculture; bi-partisan; co-op; orphanage; racing; social work

Subjects: Horse Industry in Kentucky Kentucky Jockey Club

Partial Transcript: You mention his speaking ability, what do you remember about that?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham comments on his fathers speaking ability and his advocacy for progressive policies. He later details how his father became friends with then-governor Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Keywords: advocate; causes

Subjects: Cooperative movement Franklin D. Roosevelt

Partial Transcript: While you were away at school, did you keep in touch with your father through writing?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham talks about his correspondence with his father while he was away at boarding school and shares his reaction upon discovering his father had kept a number of their letters.

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Partial Transcript: His secretary, Mrs. Ovelman, what do you remember about her?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham lauds his fathers secretary Mrs. Ovelman as a kind woman devoted to his father's causes.

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Partial Transcript: Do you remember the purchase of the paper?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham recalls his vague memories of his father announcing his purchase of the Courier-Journal, and describes his fathers views upon purchase of the paper.

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Subjects: Courier-Journal Marse Henry Watterson

Partial Transcript: When did your father... [inaudible]

Segment Synopsis: Bingham discusses his fathers relationship with President Roosevelt, their shares political causes, and his reaction upon being selected as the US ambassador to the United Kingdom during heightened European affairs.

Keywords: agriculture; ambassador; environment

Subjects: Hyde Park, NY

Partial Transcript: When did you begin working there?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham discusses when he took helm of the Courier-Journal and his fathers chronic illness while he was ambassador. He details his fathers usually robust health and favorite food, and his sharp decline when he was afflicted with an un-diagnosed Hodgkin's disease.

Keywords: ambassador; smoking

Subjects: Hodgkin's Disease

Partial Transcript: Do you remember Colonel House?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham discusses some of the political workings while his father worked with the Roosevelt administration, detailing his issues with some advisors and more less-important debates such as appropriate dress for service in the United Kingdom.

Keywords: ambassador; cabinet; foriegn policy

Subjects: Edward M. House Franklin D. Roosevelt

Partial Transcript: What are some of the particular things that you remember during those years, that you saw him try to keep the United States and the British close?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham details his fathers commitment to a strong united British-American front against increasing German aggression and the fierce criticism he received from US press over his seemingly pro-British perspective. Bingham also talks about the few times his father returned to Kentucky, the last time in response to news about the devastating 1937 Louisville flood.

Keywords: "America First"; alliance; dominion; fascism; isolationist; World War II; WWII

Subjects: Chicago Tribune Great Flood of 1937 Pilgrim Society in London

Partial Transcript: What was your impressions of, or what impressions do you remember of the time you were there while your father was ambassador and the things he had to do, did you go to any ceremonies?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham discusses the work his father undertook while ambassador and details the times he visited London. He later talks about how he communicated with his father while away and the kind of relationship they had in his final years.

Keywords: health; paper; politics; travel

Subjects: Buckingham Palace Courier-Journal King George VI trans-atlantic telephone

Partial Transcript: What about supporting Governor Chandler?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham discusses his and his fathers support for Happy Chandler, and that despite scathing editorial articles criticizing Chandler, Barry always felt that Chandler was a friend.

Keywords: local press; state politics

Subjects: Albert B. "Happy" Chandler

Partial Transcript: What did [inaudible]... what's the reaction?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham explains the possible conflict of interest on his father accepting a position from Roosevelt despite running a large newspaper.

Keywords: ambassador; policies

Subjects: Franklin D. Roosevelt

Partial Transcript: While in England, did your father make any friends there or had any friendships that he already made with any people?

Segment Synopsis: Bingham talks about some of his fathers close friends and experiences while in England.

Keywords: hunting; newspaper

Subjects: Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby John Jacob Astor, 1st Baron Astor of Hever The Times