George Cecil (Kid) Woodruff letters


Descriptive Summary
Title: George Cecil (Kid) Woodruff letters
Creator: Woodruff, George, 1889-1968
Inclusive Dates: 1918-1919
Language(s): English
Extent: 21 folder(s) (1 box)
Collection Number: UA0006
Repository: University of Georgia Archives

Collection Description

Historical Note

George Cecil (Kid) Woodruff was born on November 29, 1888 in Columbus, Georgia. He attended Columbus High School and the University School for Boys then entered the University of Georgia in 1907, graduating in 1912. While a student, he played football, acting as quarterback and later team captain. Upon graduation, Woodruff returned to Columbus and began a career in the insurance industry. During the war, he served in the 82nd Infantry (known as the All Americans) formed at Camp Gordon in 1917, which was then located in Chamblee, Georgia. Woodruff saw action during the St. Mihiel offensive as well as the Meuse-Argonne offensive and rose to the rank of major by the time the division was deactivated in 1919. He then returned to Columbus and resumed his insurance career.

In 1923 Woodruff was hired by Herman Stegeman to serve as head football coach at the University of Georgia, a position he held through 1927 while achieving a record of 30-16-1. Among those who coached under him was Harry Mehre who succeeded him as head coach. Woodruff returned to his insurance business in Columbus but remained active in his support of the University of Georgia. In 1932, he was one of the first citizens in Georgia to be appointed members of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents and served until 1945. Woodruff died on November 16, 1968.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of personal correspondence from George Cecil "Kid" Woodruff, Sr. to his brother and sister-in-law Harry and Frances Woodruff. The letters describe army life in France during World War I, including battles, football games and athletic competitions among servicemen, and leisure activities around Paris after the conclusion of the war.