USF Johns Committee Records
This collection consists of materials relating to the 1962-1964 Johns Committee investigation of the University of South Florida. The collection includes correspondence, press statements, statements to the Florida legislature, editorials, various newsletters and newspaper clippings, as well as the typescript of "The Controversity," John Egerton’s unpublished 300-page study of the Johns Committee. In addition to the papers of John Egerton, there are also papers from USF President John Allen.
View The "Witch Hunt" at USF: Experiencing the Johns Committee Through Primary Resources exhibit created by Florida Studies Curator, Andy Huse.
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Correspondence Relating to Articles Critical of the Johns Committee, April 1963 - March 1964
John W. Egerton
A series of letters relating to publication of the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee (also called the Johns Committee) report and the hopeful publication of an article in The New Republic critical of the work of the Johns Committee. Many of the letters are to Emmett Peter Jr. of the Leesburg (Florida) Daily Commercial.
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Johns Committee Oral Report to the Florida Legislature, April 18, 1963
John W. Egerton
This is a transcribed copy of the Legislative Investigation Committee's oral report to both houses of the Legislature April 18, 1963. The introducing and concluding remarks were made by Senator Charley E., Johns, chairman of the committee; the report itself was given by Mark Hawes, chief counsel for the committee. In the opening Johns introduces members of the Legislative Investigation Committee (called the Johns Committee). Mark Hawes then speaks about the investigation the University of South Florida (USF). Included are mentions of USF's president, John S. Allen; the Florida Board of Control; the House Unamerican Activities Committee; Dr. Denna F. Fleming; Dr. Donald Harkness; Dr. Sheldon Grebstein; academic freedom; and the American Association of University Professors. After the speech is an editorial to run in the Daily Commercial in Leesburg, titled "Both Comic and Sad".
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Notes on the Johns Committee USF Investigation and John S. Allen's Speech to the Florida Legislature, April 24 - July 8, 1963 and undated
John W. Egerton
A series of notes, transcripts, and other materials related to the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee's (Johns Committee) investigation of the University of South Florida (USF). Included is a copy of the speech USF President John S. Allen gave to the Florida State Legislature on April 24, 1963.
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Letter, John W. Caldwell to John S. Allen, September 20, 1962
John W. Caldwell
The resignation letter from John W. Caldwell sent to University of South Florida's (USF) President John S. Allen referencing Caldwell's treatment by the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee (also referred to as the Johns Committee).
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Chronology of USF Johns Committee Investigation, May 1962 - October 29, 1964
John W. Egerton
A timeline of the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee's (Johns Committee) investigation of the University of South Florida (USF). The timeline starts with May 18, 1962 and goes to May 1963 before starting over again in May 1962 and going to October 29, 1964. Included are statements from faculty after the investigation concluded and mentions of USF President John S. Allen, the Johns Committee head, Charley E. Johns, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), English professor Dr. Sheldon Grebstein, and the American Association of University Women (AAUW)
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Correspondence and Editorials Related to the Johns Committee, July 1962 - April 1963
John W. Egerton
A series of correspondence and editorials related to the investigation of the University of South Florida (USF) by the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee (also called the Johns Committee). Most of the correspondence is between John W. Egerton and Mabel N. Chelsey, Associate Editor of the Daytona Beach Evening News. Also included are six editorials by Emmett Peter Jr. that ran in The Daily Commercial and the Palm Beach Post-Times, and a list of the branch chairs of the Florida Division of the American Association of University Women.
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Correspondence between John W. Egerton and Edwin M. Crawford, November-December, 1962
John W. Egerton
A series of letters between John W. Egerton and Edwin M. Crawford, of Auburn University, mostly, written between November and December 1962. Topics include a potential racial integration of Auburn University and high school students' and parents' relationship with the University of South Florida (USF). Also included is a letter written to H.B. Crosby and one to John S. Allen.
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Correspondence of Requests for Clippings and Copies, November 1962 - March 1963, April 1979
John W. Egerton
A series of letters from John W. Egerton to people from universities and university-affiliated organizations asking for copies of articles or clippings from the news. Also included is a response to a letter asking for permission to use Egerton's papers at the University of South Florida (USF) in their thesis.