Keel Hunt Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS.1157

Scope and Contents

This collection contains notes, interviews, and research for Hunt's four books, interviews for a book about Bronson Ingram written by Martha Ingram, documents from various projects, photographs, and other papers.

Dates

  • Creation: 1918-2022

Conditions Governing Access

The physical materials from this collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Vanderbilt’s Special Collections and University Archives. Materials should be requested two to three days in advance to facilitate easier access. Contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an appointment.

Biographical / Historical

Sherman McKeel “Keel” Hunt III, son of Ellis Reeder Hooper Hunt and Sherman McKeel Hunt, Jr., was born on February 27, 1948 in Nashville, Tennessee. Hunt attended Stratford High School in Nashville and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University. He then went on to receive his master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. As a journalist, Hunt has worked as a reporter, editorial writer, city editor, and Washington correspondent. In 1977, he became the research director and speechwriter for Lamar Alexander’s 1978 campaign for Governor and was later named Special Assistant to Governor Alexander. He served as staff director of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and founded the Strategy Group, a public affairs firm in Nashville. Hunt has authored four books and is a Trustee Emeritus of the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2025, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from MTSU.

Full Extent

6.51 Linear Feet (18 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Keel Hunt Papers, 1960s-2025, consist of the correspondence, articles, research, and interviews conducted by journalist and author Keel Hunt, b. 1948.

Title
Finding Aid for the Keel Hunt Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Heath Overton
Date
2026 January
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States

About this Site

This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.

Requesting Materials

Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.