Floyd Bjornstjerne Olson was born on November 13, 1891 in Minneapolis, MN. He was the son of poor Scandinavian immigrants who settled in north Minneapolis. His checkered education included one year at the University of Minnesota, a stint as a laborer in the Pacific Northwest, and a degree from Northwest Law College. In 1919 the young lawyer was appointed assistant attorney for Hennepin County and soon became county attorney, a position he held for ten years. By the time he was elected the state's first Farmer-Labor Party governor, Olson's reputation as a tough-talking man of the people was sealed, and his skills as a canny politician and radio orator were well honed. He used these qualities to appeal to the rural and, especially, urban poor with his rousing rhetoric while gaining the support of a relatively conservative legislature.
In each of three successive campaigns, Olson spoke more vehemently against "the failure of government and our social system to function in the interests of the common happiness of the people." After each election he urged more legislation to alleviate the Depression's devastating effects. His power and popularity helped make Minnesota's Farmer-Labor coalition the most successful third party in America's history.
Olson died on August 22, 1936 in Rochester, MN while still in office as governor.
Collection Description
The collection consists of 3 boxes containing information on Olson covering the period from 1921 through his death in 1936. The vast majority of the collection is newspaper clippings, however there are also a small number of pamphlets, magazine articles, and other printed materials.
Contains a photocopy of an undated pamphlet about Floyd B. Olson written by Walter W. Liggett entitled "Radical -- or Racketeer?"
Floyd B. Olson House 1974 -- Box 1, Folder 19
Scope and Contents note
Contains two copies of 1974 paperwork nominating Olson's house to the National Register of Historic Places.
Floyd B. Olson Memorial Labor Temple 1968 -- Box 1, Folder 20
Scope and Contents note
Contains a printed program commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Floyd B. Olson Memorial Labor Temple at 117 SE 4th Street in Minneapolis. The program contains various articles on Olson, the Floyd B. Olson Memorial Labor Temple itself, and the labor movement in Minneapolis.
Floyd B. Olson Memorials 1936-1986 -- Box 1, Folder 21
Scope and Contents note
Contains several programs and related materials from Olson's funeral in 1936 as well as from a memorial held in 1986 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death.
Contains two election pamphlets for Olson, one from his 1926 reelection campaign for Hennepin County Attorney and one from his 1932 reelection campaign for governor.
Contains three magazine articles about Olson from the December 1930 issue of The Railway Clerk, the April 1976 issue of Minnesota Monthly, and the Winter 1984 issue of Anvil.
Floyd B. Olson Portraits n.d. -- Box 1, Folder 25
Scope and Contents note
Contains two undated portaits of Olson, one of which also includes an organization chart for the Minnesota Emergency Relief Adminstration on the reverse.
Clippings Jan-Feb 1933 -- Box 2, Folder 1
Clippings Mar-Apr 1933 -- Box 2, Folder 2
Clippings May-Jul 1933 -- Box 2, Folder 3
Clippings Aug-Oct 1933 -- Box 2, Folder 4
Clippings Nov-Dec 1933 -- Box 2, Folder 5
Clippings Jan-Feb 1934 -- Box 2, Folder 6
Clippings Mar 1934 -- Box 2, Folder 7
Clippings Apr 1934 -- Box 2, Folder 8
Clippings May 1934 -- Box 2, Folder 9
Clippings Jun-Jul 1934 -- Box 2, Folder 10
Clippings Aug-Sep 1934 -- Box 2, Folder 11
Clippings Oct 1934 -- Box 2, Folder 12
Clippings Nov-Dec 1934 -- Box 2, Folder 13
Clippings Jan-Feb 1935 -- Box 2, Folder 14
Clippings Mar-May 1935 -- Box 2, Folder 15
Clippings Jun-Oct 1935 -- Box 2, Folder 16
Clippings Nov-Dec 1935 -- Box 2, Folder 17
Clippings Jan-Feb 1936 -- Box 3, Folder 1
Clippings Mar 1936 -- Box 3, Folder 2
Clippings Apr-May 1936 -- Box 3, Folder 3
Clippings Jun-Jul 1936 -- Box 3, Folder 4
Clippings Aug 1-Aug 22 1936 -- Box 3, Folder 5
Clippings Aug 23-Aug 31 1936 -- Box 3, Folder 6
Clippings Sep-Dec 1936 -- Box 3, Folder 7
Clippings 1937-1968 -- Box 3, Folder 8
Clippings 1936-1986 -- Box 3, Folder 9
Clippings n.d. -- Box 3, Folder 10
Clippings 1929-1975 -- Box 3, Folder 11
Clippings Aug 1936 -- Box 3, Folder 12
Scope and Contents note
Clippings specifically concerning Olson's death and funeral.
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