Ralph Campbell, Jr., Photograph Collection, PHC.217

This collection primarily contains photographs pertaining to the political career of Ralph Campbell, Jr., including formal black and white head shots in the 1980s and full color portraits from 2004, informal photos from rallies and fundraisers relating to many campaigns including the 1984 Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro presidential bid as well as Campbell's own campaigns from Raleigh City Council in 1985 through State Auditor 2004, publicity photos of Campbell with other local and national politicians such as Al Gore, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Rodney Ellis of Texas, and a large number of snap shots from Campbell's trip to England and Compiegne, France, in 2003. The collection contains a variety of formats and sizes including small color and black and white prints, 4"x6" color prints, 5"x7" color prints, 8"x10" color and black and white prints, 35mm color negatives, two medium format color negatives, one color slide, a newspaper clipping, and two Raleigh City Council inauguration programs, 1989 and 1991.

Photographs of Ralph Campbell, Jr., from his career in North Carolina politics. Includes a variety of campaign headshots and promotional photos as well as snapshots of Campbell working, speaking, and campaigning with others in the 1980s through 2000s and traveling in Great Britain and France as a Sister Cities delegate to Raleigh's Sister City, Compiegne, France.

Ralph A. Campbell, Jr. (December 7, 1946 - January 11, 2011), was for three terms the State Auditor of North Carolina. A Democrat, Campbell was the first African-American to hold a state-wide elected executive office in North Carolina. Campbell was a native of Raleigh, North Carolina and an alumnus of St. Augustine's College, holding a degree in business administration. His younger brother is former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell. Ralph Campbell, Jr., served in the United States Army Reserve from 1971 to 1977. From 1977 to 1986, he worked as a field auditor for the North Carolina Department of Revenue, and from 1986 to 1990, as a plan auditor for the State Health Benefits Office. Between 1990 and 1992, Campbell worked in the administration of the North Carolina Department of Insurance. Campbell was first elected to Raleigh City Council in 1985 and was re-elected three additional times, serving as mayor pro tem in his final term, from 1989 to 1991. In 1992, he ran for the office of State Auditor and became the first African-American on the North Carolina Council of State. Campbell was re-elected to the same office in 1996 and 2000. Campbell was also an active member of the community and represented Raleigh as one of several delegates who traveled to Raleigh's Sister City, Compiegne, France, in 2003. He died in 2011 of lung cancer.

1. Ralph Campbell, Jr., Raleigh News and Observer newspaper Tarheel of the Week" on Sunday, 16 November 1997, 1997

2. Portraits of Ralph Campbell, Jr., 1997

3. Portraits of Ralph Campbell, Jr., 2004

4. Group Photos of Ralph Campbell, Jr., 1990s-2000s

5. Trip to Compiegne, France, 2003

6. Ralph Campbell, Jr., for North Carolina State Auditor Campaign Fundraiser, 2000

7. Photos of Ralph Campbell, Jr., with Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis

8. Ralph Campbell, Jr., Photo Albums, 1984-2005

Campbell, Ralph A., Jr., 1946-2011

Campbell, William

Christmas, Mildred

Campbell, June

Campbell, Eddie

Joslin, Bill

Joslin, Mary

Ward, Everett

Allen, Barbara

Baker, John H. (John Haywood)

Goins, Cecil

Beck, Theo

Long, Jim

Beaman, Arthur

Beaman, Grace

Hunt, James B., 1937-

Bell, Bill

Sansom, Joe

Lightner, Clarence E., 1921-

Gore, Al, 1948-

Clinton, Bill, 1946-

Clinton, Hillary Rodham

Politics

State Auditor

City Council

African Americans

Politicians

Compiegne (France)

England

Raleigh (N.C.)

This collection was originally donated April 30, 2013, to the NC Museum of History by Campbell's sister, Mildred Christmas. On March 21, 2014, the collection was transferred to the State Archives.

This collection contains one box of loose photographic prints, some with corresponding 35mm negatives, as well as three albums of campaign photos and snapshots and a few pieces of related ephemera. The box of loose photographs is arranged in seven series: 1. Raleigh News and Observer "Tar Heel of the Week" 16 November 1997; 2. Portraits, 1997; 3. Portraits, c.2004; 4. Group photos, 1990s-2000s; 5. Trip to Compiegne, France, c.2003; 6. State Auditor Campaign Fundraiser, 2000; 7. Promotional photos with Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis, undated. All three albums are arranged as they were donated, in the order that Campbell and his family established, which is roughly chronological beginning with Cambell's first election to the office of State Auditor of North Carolina through his leaving office. Included at the very end of the third album are some photos of Campbell and his early political career from the 1980s.