FLVC logo

James T. Griffiths Papers, 1914-2006, bulk 1959-2002

 

Summary

Creator:
Griffiths, James T.
Extent:
20 Linear Feet
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The James T. Griffiths Papers reflect his lifelong work within the citrus field. The collection contains personal letters, notes, documents such as maps and graphs, and coursework from various citrus materials. These papers range from 1914-2006; however the bulk is from 1959-2002.

Biographical / historical:

James T. Griffiths (1914-2006) was born in Texas, on November 4th, 1914. Griffiths worked on his father's ranch before attending Rice University. After earning a degree in zoological sciences in 1937, Griffiths married and shortly thereafter entered Iowa State University, earning a doctorate in Entomology in 1941. After taking an academic appointment at Auburn University Griffiths volunteered for the army, entering in as a First Lieutenant. In 1946 Griffiths took a job at the Citrus Experiment Station at Lake Alfred, Florida. He established himself as an expert in the field of biological control mechanisms through extensive research projects, authoring numerous articles in scientific journals discussing and evaluating new insecticides and fertilizers, and giving precise recommendations for their application in fighting pests or nutrient deficiencies. 1951 Griffiths joined the Lyon's Fertilizer Company for three years, then joined John Snively's Eloise Groves Association as production manager of the processing plant and overseer of grove operations. After the freezes of 1957-58, Griffiths conducted research on the use of wind machines for cold protection to replace smudge pots. He also played a fundamental role in developing a market for what was then a newly available product: orange juice as a frozen concentrate. From 1962-67 Griffiths worked as the General Manager of Cypress Gardens Citrus Products, before serving as the director of special projects for Florida Citrus Mutual from 1968-81. He also founded the Citrus Grower Associates, a small cooperative of growers aimed at promoting and protecting its local growers. Griffiths founded the Citrus Growers Association and served on the Florida Research Advisory Council, the Spreading Decline committee, the Young Tree Decline Committee and at one point he headed the Citrus Harvesting Committee. Griffiths was also a member of the International Society of Citriculture, the Florida State Horticultural Society, the Soil Science Society of Florida, the Entomological Society of America, the Florida Entomological Society, the Florida Farm Bureau, the Institute of Food Technologists, the Florida Citrus Production Managers Association, the Florida Citrus Processors Association, and he was a long time board member of the Florida Citrus Research Foundation. In efforts to improve water quality, he lobbied for the inclusion of the Ridge area into the SW Florida Water Management District, and for the establishment of the Polk County Water Policy Committee on which he served from 2001-06. Griffiths was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in 1998.

Acquisition information:
This collection was gifted to the Thomas B. Mack Citrus Archives. The Citrus Archives was incorporated in the McKay Archives in 2009.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research. Researchers must contact McKay Archives in advance for access to unprocessed born digital materials in this collection. Collection restrictions, copyright limitations, or technical complications may hinder the SPCUA's ability to provide access to unprocessed born digital materials.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish material from the James T. Griffiths Papers must be obtained from Sarah D. and L. Kirk McKay Jr. Archives Center or the appropriate copyright holder. Please inquire if you have questions, 863-680-4994.

Location of this collection:
Florida Southern College
111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.
Lakeland
FL
33801
USA