J. Harold Hawkins Papers, 1912-1980

Summary

Creator:
Hawkins, John Harold, 1892-1961.
Date:
1912-1980
Extent:
7 box(es) (6 linear fet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

J. Harold Hawkins Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Background

Scope and content:

The J. Harold Hawkins Papers primarily consist of correspondence, lists of contacts and donations, clippings and ephemera documenting his campaign for the Georgia Supreme Court in 1948. The bulk of the correspondence is from supporters endorsing Hawkins' candidacy. These supporters include lawyers, Justices of the Peace, and state and county officials. In addition to information about the Judge's race against opponent Joe Quillian, relation of Senator Richard Russell, the correspondence yields information about Quillian's connections to Herman Talmadge who was embroiled in the three-governor controversy during this period. Also included is a running record of cases, compiled by legal assistant Harold Glore, heard before Hawkins during his time on the Supreme Court (1948-1960). The collection contains campaign and personal correspondence, certificates, campaign files, individual case files, office files, and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

John Harold Hawkins was born May 22, 1892, in Forsyth County, Georgia, the son of Perry C. Hawkins (1871-1925) and Della Bramblett Hawkins (1874-1910). His paternal grandfather was Fed M. Hawkins, a member of the House of Representatives of Georgia, from Forsyth County.

Judge Hawkins was admitted to the Bar December 26, 1916. He served as Official Court Reporter of the Blue Ridge Circuit from January 1, 1915 until September 1, 1917. He was appointed Law Assistant to Judge W. F. Jenkins, on the Court of Appeals of Georgia September 10, 1917, and served in that capacity until March 1, 1920, when he resigned to become a member of the Marietta law firm Morris, Hawkins and Wallace.

Governor L.G. Hardman appointed him Judge, Superior Courts, of the Blue Ridge Circuit, effective March 1, 1931, to succeed the Honorable John S. Wood, who had been elected to Congress. He was re-elected to this position four times without opposition.

In 1948 Chief Justice W. F. Jenkins, of the Georgia Supreme Court, announced that he would not seek re-election, and Judge Hawkins became a candidate to succeed Judge Jenkins. He was nominated Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Georgia's highest appellate court, in the Democratic primary held September 8, 1948. Chief Justice Jenkins accepted appointment as Chief Justice Emeritus effective September 10, 1948, and Judge Hawkins was also nominated by the Democratic Executive Committee to run in the November General Election for Jenkins' unexpired term. Hawkins was elected to serve out the unexpired term and succeed Jenkins for a full six-year term. Judge Hawkins was re-elected without opposition in 1954, and chose not to seek re-election in 1960. He was appointed Associate Justice Emeritus effective December 30, 1960, after having served continuously as Judge of the Superior Courts and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court for almost thirty years.

Judge Hawkins was a member of the American Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Association, the Cobb Judicial Circuit Bar Association, The Ten Club, the Atlanta Athletic Association, the Capital City Club, and the Rotary Club. He served as a member and president of the Board of Education, City of Marietta, from 1933 to 1937. He served as Superintendent of Sunday Schools, First Baptist Church, Marietta, for a number of years. He was the first President of the Blue Ridge Circuit Bar Association. He was a Director in the State Y.M.C.A. of Georgia, and President of the Cobb County Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Judge Hawkins and Miss Irene Northcutt were married on April 22, 1914. The couple had two children, Ann and Jane. Judge Hawkins died June 8, 1961.

See also David A. Dosser, Sr. Let Justice Be Done: The Life and Times of Justice J. Harold Hawkins

Processing information:

The collection was re-foldered and re-housed in archival boxes and folders during processing. To stabilize the collection, acidic and brittle reply copies from Hawkins have been photocopied onto bond paper.

Arrangement:

Judge Hawkins' papers are organized into five series: personal files, campaign files, office/administrative files, case files, and photographs. The campaign files are further organized into three sub-series: correspondence, general and ephemera.

Access and use restrictions

Restrictions:

Sensitive materials in the personal and case files are restricted for 75 years from creation.

Terms of access:

Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.

Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Preferred citation:

J. Harold Hawkins Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.