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Library of Congress Research Guides

Edward William Brooke III: A Resource Guide

Edward William Brooke III (1919-2015), the U.S. Senator representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1967-1979; the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate since the 1880s. The guide includes selected works in various formats.

Introduction

Marion S. Trikosko, photographer. Senator Edward Brooke standing behind a chair which is decorated with the Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, probably in Washington, D.C. after his election. 1967. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division.

Born in Washington, D.C., on October 26, 1919, Edward William Brooke III, was a World War II veteran, attorney, Massachusetts attorney general (1962-1966), and United States Senator representing Massachusetts (1967-1979). Prior to entering public service Brooke served as legal counsel for a local chapter of the NAACP, on the board of directors of the Greater Boston Urban League, and National Judge Advocate for the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS).

Senator Brooke worked to ‘bridge the divide’ in his role as an advocate for low-income housing, civil rights, minimum wage standards, and other social issues. Brooke partnered with both Republicans and Democrats; one of his appointments included serving on the President’s Commission on Civil Disorders (Kerner Commission), an appointment by President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

The collections of the Library of Congress contain a wide variety of materials by and about Edward William Brooke III, including the Edward Brooke Papers, photographs, campaign literature, books, interviews, and legislation.

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