John Goodwin Tower, a Southwestern alumnus, represented Texas in the United States Senate from 1961 through 1984. Before his retirement, he named Southwestern University as the official repository for his papers.
- The approximately 800 linear feet of materials primarily reflect his Senate activities and include documents, legislative files, correspondence, speeches, campaign items, photographs, and audiovisual materials.
- Materials from before the beginning of his Senate career concern his family, education, and teaching career. Later items document his writings and his post-Senate appointments, including his nomination as Secretary of Defense.
- The library also holds several smaller related accessions, including the papers of political consultant and writer John Knaggs and of Senator Tower’s legislative aide, J. French Hill.