FLVC logo

Thomas LeRoy Collins Papers, 1909-1991

 

Summary

Creator:
Collins, LeRoy (Thomas LeRoy Collins)
Extent:
28.00 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Thomas LeRoy Collins Papers, Claude Pepper Library, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/fa/MSS-1991-012

Background

Scope and content:

The Thomas LeRoy Collins Papers, 1903-1991, largely document this Florida statesman's post-Gubernatorial career (1961-1991). While these materials are predominantly from this period, there are also files from his earlier years as Florida Representative, Florida Senator, and Florida Governor.

Select materials from the Thomas LeRoy Collins Papers have been digitized and are available through the FSU Digital Library.

Biographical / historical:

March 10, 1909: Born in Tallahassee, Florida.

1927: Graduated from Leon High School, Tallahassee, Florida.

1931: Received LL.B degree from Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee.

1932: Married Mary Call Darby, great-granddaughter of Florida Territorial Governor Richard Keith Call.

1935-1940: Served as Florida Representative

1940-1953: Served as Florida Senator.

1954: Elected Florida Governor in primary campaign against Acting Governor Charley Johns.

1955-1961: Served two terms as Florida Governor.

1960: Elected permanent chairman of Democratic National Committee.

1961-1964: Served as President, National Association of Broadcasters.

1964-1965: Served as Director, Community Relations Service.

1965-1966: Served as Undersecretary, U. S. Department of Commerce.

1968: Ran for U.S. Senate seat vacated by U.S. Senator George Smathers; was defeated by U.S. Representative Edward Gurney.

1971: Published his book Forerunners Courageous.

1974: Served on Florida Commission on Ethics.

1977-1978: Served on Florida Constitution Revision Commission.

1978: Received first Annual Nelson Poynter Award for his public service in preserving civil rights.

1978-1983: Served on Governor's Advisory Council on Productivity.

1979: Served on Florida Joint Legislative and Executive Committee on Postsecondary Education.

1980-1981: Served on Commission on the Future of the South.

1981: Selected as first recipient of the Florida Distinguished Service medal at the premiere of his film, LeRoy Collins, Great Floridian.

1982-1984: Served as Director of the Committee on the Constitutional System in Washington, D.C.

1983-1990: Produced Public Service Radio Broadcast Series.

1986-1989: Served on U.S. Constitution Bicentennial Commission of Florida.

1989: Collins Center for Public Policy Founded.

1990: Received first Distinguished Community College Alumni Award.

March 12, 1991: Died at his Tallahassee home, The Grove.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Mary Call Collins

Collection materials were donated in August 1991 and January 1992.

Physical location:
Claude Pepper Library.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Users may access this collection at the Claude Pepper Library.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been transferred to the Florida State University Libraries All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

Thomas LeRoy Collins Papers, Claude Pepper Library, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/fa/MSS-1991-012

Location of this collection:
116 Honors Way
Tallahassee
FL
32306-2047
USA