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Verner Chaffin Family Papers

Verner Chaffin Family Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Verner Chaffin Family Papers
Creator: Hargrett Library
Inclusive Dates: 1912-1974
Bulk Dates: 1940-1959
Extent: 3.2 Linear Feet 2 cartons, 3 document boxes, 1 oversized box, 2 oversized folders C, 1 large poster
Collection Number: ms2036
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

Dr. Emory E. Chaffin worked as a doctor in North Georgia from the early 1910s to the 1950s. He received his medical license from the Atlanta Medical College in 1912, and he lived in Toccoa, Georgia. In addition, he was a member of the Freemasons and a hobbyist who enjoyed painting.

His son, Verner F. Chaffin, went on to become a lawyer and professor of law at the University of Georgia School of Law.

Verner F. Chaffin (1918- ) was born in Georgia, and graduated as the Valedictorian from Toccoa High School in 1935 and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia in 1939 after transferring from Emory University. In 1942, received his L.L.B. from the University of Georgia School of Law. After completing his studies, he enrolled in the United States Navy and served as an intelligence officer and Japanese linguist during World War II, where he was stationed in the Pacific theater, and the Korean War. In 1947, he began teaching law at the University of Alabama. In 1958, he returned to the UGA School of Law as a full professor. After teaching for 42 years, Chaffin retired in 1989, but continued working as an attorney. His specialties include wills and trusts, federal estate and gift taxation, future interests, estate planning, and administration of descendants' estates and trusts. For his work in these areas, the State Bar of Georgia established the Verner F. Chaffin Career Service Award to recognize individuals with strong records of "outstanding, unselfish and dedicated service to the Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, its members and the citizens of Georgia." Though retired, Chaffin is still active in the Athens Community and with the UGA School of Law.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a variety of materials donated by the Chaffin family concerning the academic and professional lives of Dr. Emory Chaffin and his son Verner Chaffin. The majority of the materials detail the varied studies of Verner spanning from his high school and college graduations to materials collected as he attempted to learn Japanese after his enrollment in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and materials collected during his time in Japan. The collection also contains materials related to Dr. Emory Chaffin's medical practice and licensing and his membership in the Freemasons. In addition, there are several large posters (Russian Propaganda and reproductions of watercolors depicting battle scenes recreated in Paramount's motion picture "Wake Island"). Included are an early 20th century teacher's grade book, plaques showing various Georgia colleges, a picture of a 1960s DAR banquet in Washington, D.C., and a press release detailing an architecture exhibition at Georgia Tech.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged into 9 series by record type:

Series 1: Japanese Books

Series 2: US Naval Manuals, Instructions, and Publications

Series 3: V. Chaffin Personal WW2 Japan Memorabilia

Series 4: V. Chaffin School Memorabilia

Series 5: Dr. E. Chaffin Papers and Books

Series 6: Newspapers and Clippings

Series 7: Russian Propaganda Posters

Series 8: "Wake Island" Movie Watercolor Reproductions


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Verner Chaffin Family Papers, ms2036, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Chaffin, E., M.D.
Chaffin, Verner
English language -- Dictionaries -- Japanese.
Japanese language -- Dictionaries -- English.
Japanese language -- Readers.
Ledgers (account books)
Manuals (instructional materials)
Physicians -- Georgia.
Printed ephemera.
Reproductions.
United States. Navy
Universities and colleges.
University of Georgia -- Miscellanea
Wake Island, Battle of, Wake Island, 1941.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Japan.

Related Collections in Other Repositories

The collection originally included sheet music, but that this material has been transferred to the sheet music collection.


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Japanese Books

carton
1Japanese Dictionaries, Glossaries, and Indices, 1940-1950
1Japanese Language Course Books, 1940-1950
carton
2Japanese Language Readers, 1940-1950
2Japanese Name Books, 1940-1950
2Children's Japanese Character Writing Workbooks, 1940-1950
2Personal Japanese Language Workbooks of V. Chaffin, 1940-1950
2Italian Language Books on Japan, 1940-1950
carton
1Misc. Japanese Books (Japanese and English), 1940-1950
 

2. WWII US Naval Publications

boxfolder
31-4Guides, Manuals Detailing Japanese Military Information, 1940-1950
35Navy Instructions Booklets, Handouts, 1940-1950
36WWII Pacific Ship and Naval Daily Publications, 1944-1946
 

3. V. Chaffin WWII Memorabilia from Japan

boxfolder
37WWII War Ration Booklets
38Photographs - Okinawa, 1945
39Photographs - Japan, 1945
310Photographs - Nagasaki and Hiroshima - Destruction, 1945
boxfolder
41Post-WWII Japan Tourism Maps, 1945-1950
42Post-WWII Japan Tourism Travel Guides, 1945-1950
43-5Post-WWII Japan Tourism Postcards, 1945-1950
 

4. V. Chaffin School Memorabilia

boxfolder
46Photographs - University of Georgia, 1939-1942
47Sigma News Articles and Clippings, 1939-1942
48Graduation Programs and Announcements, 1935-1942
49University of Alabama photo book, signed letter from UGA President Caldwell, 1941-1950
 

5. Dr. E. Chaffin Papers and Books

boxfolder
51Dr. E. Chaffin - Correspondence, 1936-1954
52Dr. E. Chaffin - Clippings, Photographs, miscellaneous
53Dr. E. Chaffin - Medical Practice Materials, 1912-1950
54Dr. E. Chaffin - Freemasonry Materials, 1950
55-7Dr. E. Chaffin - Ledger Books, 1928-1941
cartonitem
31-8Dr. E. Chaffin - patient ledger books, 1923-1950
 

6. Miscellaneous

oversized_box
6Newspapers and Clippings, 1940-1974
6Photograph, Grade Book, Press Release, Plaques
 

7. Posters

oversized_folder
1CRussian theatre posters (3) and 1 propaganda poster
item
1Russian propaganda poster
oversized_folder
2C



Wake Island - Poster Reproductions (4)