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W. May Walker Papers, 1901-1974, Date acquired: 00/00/1976, bulk 1925-1974

 

Summary

Creator:
Walker, W. May 1905-1974
Walker, Nat R.
Abstract:
The collection includes correspondence, committee papers, legislative papers, and legal papers such as rulings, opinions, and papers concerning particular cases. Judge Walker serived as County Judge of Leon County and on the bench of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. The great majority of the papers in the collection cover the time period from the 1940s until the time of his death, September 16, 1974. The collection includes the papers of Judge Walker's father, Nat R. Walker.
Extent:
47.00 boxes 47 boxes
18.80 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], W. May Walker Papers, Claude Pepper Library, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/MSS_1976-012.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of Judge W. May Walker cover all aspects of his legal career, and include correspondence, committee papers, legislative papers, rulings and opinions, as well as papers concerning particular cases. Judge Walker served as County Judge of Leon County and on the bench of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Most of the papers in the collection cover the 1940s until his death, September 16, 1974. The Honorable Judge presided over many important cases covering such topics as civil rights, rape, and capital punishment. Included in the collection are papers belonging to his father, Nat R. Walker.

Biographical / historical:

Judge W. May Walker was born William May Walker in Crawfordville, Wakulla County, Florida on May 2, 1905, the son of Nat R. Walker and Alice (Tully) Walker, both of Crawfordville. The judge acquired his name from his grandfather, as did a number of others in the Walker family. In his boyhood, his full name of William May was shortened to May. At the age of ten, both Walker parents died and he was sent to live with an aunt in Leon County. After attending public schools in Leon County, he received his Bachelor of Law degree from Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1927. That same year, after passing the Florida Bar exam, he began to practice of law in Tallahassee.

Acquisition information:

Given by Pansy Walker

The W. May Walker Papers were given directly to the Special Collections Department, Florida State University Libraries, by Pansy Walker of Tallahassee, Florida, in 1976.

Custodial history:

Staff members of the Special Collections Department processed the majority of this collection in August 1976. The final two boxes, comprised of the Personal Business Papers, was only partially processed and remained in that state until February 2002 when it was processed and the finding aid updated. In 2003 a NHRPC grant was awarded to the Special Collections Department to improve access to the civil rights manuscripts housed in the department. In August of 2003 a processing plan was developed stipulating that materials be re-housed according to archival standards. To improve access, all folders were labeled and all folders and boxes were re-numbered. Work was completed in November, 2003.

Processing information:

Staff members of the Special Collections Department processed the majority of this collection in August 1976.  The final two Boxes, comprised of the Personal Business Papers, was only partially processed and remained in that state until February 2002 when it was processed and the finding aid updated.  In 2003 an NHRPC grant was awarded to the Special Collection Department to improve access to the civil rights manuscripts housed in the department.  In August of 2003 a processing plan was developed stipulating that materials be re-housed according to archival standards.  To improve access, all folders were labeled and all folders and Boxes were re-numbered.  Work was completed in November 2003.

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

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to all researchers. Users may access this collection at the Claude Pepper Library.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & 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:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], W. May Walker Papers, Claude Pepper Library, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/MSS_1976-012.

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