William Tate journals, 1933-1937, 1958-1978

Summary

Creator:
Tate, William, 1903-1980
Date:
1933-1937, 1958-1978
Extent:
14 Linear Feet 15 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

William Tate journals, ms2847, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of the personal journals of William Tate, a former dean at the University of Georgia.

Biographical / historical:

William Tate (1903-1980) was the Dean of Men, University of Georgia, 1946 to 1971. In 1981, the University of Georgia Tate Student Center was named in his honor.

Tate attended Fairmount High School and the Georgia Military Academy. He then entered the University of Georgia, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1924 and a Master's in 1927. He went on to do graduate work at Columbia University, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago.

From 1924 to 1929 he was an instructor in English and Debate Coach at the University of Georgia. From 1929 to 1936 he was Head of the English Department and Track Coach at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1932 William Tate married Susan Frances Barrow, a granddaughter of University Chancellor David Barrow. They had two sons, Ben and Jeff.

In 1936 Tate returned to the University of Georgia as Dean of Freshmen and Assistant Professor of English. He then went on to become Dean of Students, Assistant to the President, and in 1946 became Dean of Men, a position he held for twenty-five years. Tate was a very asute and popular faculty member who ruled over the student body with a reputation for being strict but fair. He is well-known for his role in overseeing students during UGA's desegregation by the first two African American students, Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes, in 1961.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

William Tate journals, ms2847, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.