Herbert S. Walters was born November 17, 1891 in Leadvale, Tennessee. He received his early education in nearby public schools and later attended Carson-Newman College, Castle Heights Military Academy, and the University of Tennessee. Walters was a general contractor and banker, serving as president of Walters and Prater, Inc., and Chairman of the Board of the Hamilton Nation Bank of Morristown, Tennessee. He served on the board of a many businesses including East Tennessee Natural Gas Company, Tennessee Natural Gas Lines, and Nashville Gas Company. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Tennessee.
Walters was a life-long member of the Democratic Party, and served almost continuously as Democratic National Committeeman from Tennessee from 1945 until his death. He was as well a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee and served as its chairman for several terms. Walters was appointed to the United States Senate on August 20, 1963 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Estes Kefauver. He served until the next general election. Upon returning to private life, Walters resumed his business pursuits and continued to play a role in Tennessee politics until his death on August 17, 1973.
Herbert Walters’ papers consist of personal, political, and business correspondence over a period of 43 years. The papers include newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, pictures, U.S. Senate and private business records, address files, and personal items. Walters’ papers are stored in approximately 130 linear feet of boxes.