Interview with Lawrence Calvert, June 7, 2017

Interview Summary

Lawrence Calvert, a former employee at TVA, begins the interview by discussing how he was hired at TVA. Next, Calvert details all of the positions he had at TVA throughout his career. The interviewee then talks of his father and his work at the original TVA in the 1930s. Calvert also shares some of his memories of the early version of TVA. Calvert then mentions some of the issues that TVA encountered during the 1960s. The process that TVA underwent to receive congressional funding is then detailed. Calvert's time spent in TVA's Information Office and Washington, D.C. office is examined. TVA's power as a borrowing authority is also described. TVA policy in relation to the environmental legislation and the environmental movement in the 1960s and 1970s is explored. How TVA policy was influenced by internal hierarchy and competitiveness is considered. Calvert summarizes his work after returning to Tennessee in the Land and Forest, and Economic and Community Development organizations. Calvert's most vivid memories of the Economic and Community Development division are shared. Changes to TVA during Calvert's career are chronicled. The reputation of TVA at the beginning of Calvert's career is characterized. The impact of TVA upon Tennessee and the country at large is assessed. To conclude the interview, Calvert reveals his greatest accomplishments at TVA, and the original philosophy of TVA is applied to modern-day issues.

Interview Keyword

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Economic Community Division Information Office Federal agencies Forest Land Planning Congress Congressional appropriations Environmental legislation Aubrey “Red” Wagner Environmental legislation Lobbying Integrated Resource Development

Interview LC Subject

Tennessee Valley Authority Tennessee Washington (D.C.) Fathers Childhood Rural

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.