An accessible version of the archival material represented on this site will be made available upon request.
Please contact us at dolearchives@ku.edu to request the document be made available in an accessible format.

Bob Dole is wearing the Presidential Medal of Freedom, standing at a podium with the presidential seal. President Bill Clinton is standing next to him, applauding.

Senator Bob Dole

Summary

Bob Dole served in Congress for 36 years. He was the longest-serving Republican leader in the history of the Senate (1985-1996) until this record was broken in 2018. Dole was also the 1996 Republican nominee for president, and former President Gerald Ford’s vice presidential candidate in 1976. He served in many roles throughout his career, including chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance (1981-1985) and 47th chairman of the Republican National Committee (1971-1973).

Date Range

  • 1923-present

Online Materials

  • Oral Histories, Topic Guides, Press Releases, Press Clippings, Finding Aids

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Archival Materials

Bob Dole in M-1 Steel Helmet

young Bob Dole wearing World War Two helmet

File Name: ph_005_006_001

Material Type: Photograph

Date: 1942

Citation: Dole Photograph Collection 1900-2011, Box 5, Folder 6, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Peace Officers Being Sworn Into Office by Judge Ruppenthal in Russell, Kansas

a group of eight people stand facing one man, each person has their right hand held up, except for Bob Dole in the back row, who is holding up his left hand

File Name: ph_005_029_001

Material Type: Photograph

Date: 1957-01-14

Citation: Dole Photograph Collection 1900-2011, Box 5, Folder 29, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Bob Dole Standing in Front of the United States Capitol During his Time in the House of Representatives

Bob Dole walking on a sidewalk next to parked cars on a street. He is holding a rolled up paper in his hands. Behind him in the background is the United States Capitol building

File Name: ph_062_005_001

Material Type: Photograph

Date: Unknown

Citation: Dole Photograph Collection 1900-2011, Box 62, Folder 5, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

1976 Election Day Rally at Bob Dole's Residence

Bob Dole is smiling, standing with a microphone in front of him, amidst a crowd of people

File Name: ph_100_008_001

Material Type: Photograph

Date: 1976-11-02

Citation: Dole Photograph Collection 1900-2011, Box 100, Folder 8, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Bob Dole Celebrating With Crowd

Bob Dole is smiling, standing in a crowd of people covered with confetti. Some people are holding signs with his picture and name on them. In the background is a large banner which is partially cut off, but likely reads 'Dole for U. S. Senate'

File Name: ph_111_007_004

Material Type: Photograph

Date: 1968-11-05

Citation: Dole Photograph Collection 1900-2011, Box 111, Folder 7, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Bob Dole Giving Thumbs Up After Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Bill Clinton is clapping his hands and looking at Bob Dole. Next to him, Bob Dole is wearing a medal around his neck, standing behind a podium with the presidential seal, and giving the thumbs up hand gesture with his left hand.
Message below the photograph reads, "To Bob Dole - with respect and great memories of this fine day - Bill Clinton"

File Name: ph_162_006_002

Material Type: Photograph

Date: 1997-01-17

Citation: Dole Photograph Collection 1900-2011, Box 162, Folder 6, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Bibliography

Ball, Robert M. The Greenspan Commission : what really happened. New York: Century Foundation, 2010.

Bob Dole : a pictorial biography of a Kansan. Wichita: Wichita Eagle and Beacon Publishing, 1996.

Dean, Virgil W. John Brown to Bob Dole : movers and shakers in Kansas history. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2006.

Dole, Robert J. One Soldier's Story: a memoir. New York: HarperCollins Publishers , 2005.

Dole, Robert J., and Elizabeth Hanford Dole Unlimited Partners. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1988.

Dole, Robert J., and Jack Kemp. Trusting the people : the Dole-Kemp plan to free the economy and create a better America : balance the budget, cut taxes 15%, raise wages. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1996.

Edwards, John, Cate Edwards, and Jonathan Prince. Home : the blueprints of our lives. New York: Collins Pub., 2006.

McGovern, George S. Ending hunger now : a challenge to persons of faith. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.

Mears, Walter Robert. Deadlines past : forty years of presidential campaigning : a reporter's story. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Pub., 2003.

Woodward, Bob. The Choice. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996.