Harmon Caldwell papers, 1916-1991, bulk 1954-1962

Summary

Creator:
Caldwell, Harmon White
Date:
1916-1991, bulk 1954-1962
Extent:
58 Linear Feet 141 boxes, 1 oversize folder
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Harmon Caldwell papers, ms2909, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of correspondence, financial papers, photographs, speeches and writings, and printed material arranged in alphabetical order by name or subject. Although the bulk of the material concerns Caldwell's career, some are paersonal and family papers and consist of correspondence with his parents, his brother Alvin, and various aunts, uncles and cousins, including Hattie Dunlop who apparently suffered from paranoia. The farm papers deal with a house and land in Meriwether County that had been in the Caldwell family for many years. Caldwell took it over in 1940, made many improvements, and considered it his legal residence. Boxes 48-50 contain Caldwell's personal financial papers.

Of special interest are the Board of Regents papers; Walter Cocking controversy, Ty Cobb and the Cobb Educational Foundation; Berry College papers; the Wallace Butts football scandal; and the papers of the colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia with their various achievements or problems. Correspondents include Omer Clyde Aderhold, Walter Blackstock, Callaway family (Pine Mountain, Ga.), Lamar Dodd, Stewart Gelders, Hodgson family (Athens, Ga.), Joseph Winthrop Holley, John Alton Hosch, Lucy Stanley MacArthur, Moina Michael, Jonathan Clark Rogers, Steadman Vincent Sanford, Hughes Spalding, and Herman Talmadge.

Biographical / historical:

Harmon White Caldwell was born in Meriwether County, Georgia, the son of Lucius Alexander Caldwell (1869-1957) and Lillie Reynolds Caldwell (b. 1875). In 1944 he married Gwendolyn Burton and they had three children: Harmon White, Jr. (b. 1948), Edea Marie (b. 1951) and Robert Burton (b. 1955). Caldwell received his A.B. degree from the University of Georgia and his L.L.B. from Harvard University. He was a professor of law at the University of Georgia (1929-1932), Dean of the University of Georgia Law School (1933-1935), President of the University of Georgia (1935-1948), and chancellor of the University System of Georgia (1948-1964).

At the May 30, 1941, meeting of the Board of Regents, Talmadge, who was an ex-officio member of the board, asserted that Cocking wanted to integrate a demonstration school in Athens. The governor announced that he would remove any person in the university system who advocated "communism or racial equality." After heated debate the regents, most of whom were Talmadge appointees, decided by a vote of eight to four not to reemploy Cocking. When the regents reconvened that evening after dedicating a building, they learned that Harmon Caldwell, president of the university, would resign unless Cocking received a hearing. After acrimonious debate the regents, unwilling to lose the services of the esteemed Caldwell, reconsidered their earlier action and agreed to permit Cocking to answer the charges brought against him at the next board meeting.

For more information, see the article Cocking Affair in the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

Access and use restrictions

Restrictions:

Permission to publish this material must be obtained from the Caldwell Estate.

Preferred citation:

Harmon Caldwell papers, ms2909, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.