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various newsletters and newspaper clippings, as well as the typescript of "The Controversity," John Egerton’s unpublished 300-page study of the Johns Committee.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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Speech, Stormy 1960s at the University of South Florida, September 17, 1996
John W. Egerton
Address delivered by John Egerton at the University of South Florida (USF) Tampa Library, September 17, 1996, about the history of the University of South Florida in the 1960s with the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee (the "Johns Committee") and the tenure of President John S. Allen. Included are mentions of the suspension of English professor Dr. Sheldon Grebstein, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)'s protest over the suspension, and Florida Governor Farris Bryant's reactions to the Johns Committee findings.
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Draft, "The Controversity: One Man's View of Politics in the Making of a University," Full Draft
John W. Egerton
A full draft of John W. Egerton's book "The Controversity: One Man's View of Politics in the Making of a University" on the history of the University of South Florida (USF).
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Draft, "The Controversity: One Man's View of Politics in the Making of a University," Pages 101-200
John W. Egerton
Pages 101 to 200 of a draft of John W. Egerton's book "The Controversity: One Man's View of Politics in the Making of a University" on the history of the University of South Florida (USF).
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Draft, "The Controversity: One Man's View of Politics in the Making of a University," Pages 1-100
John W. Egerton
The first one hundred pages of a draft of John W. Egerton's book "The Controversity: One Man's View of Politics in the Making of a University" on the history of the University of South Florida (USF).
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Draft, "The Controversity: One Man's View of Politics in the Making of a University," Pages 201-300
John W. Egerton
Pages 201 to 300 of a draft of John W. Egerton's book "The Controversity: One Man's View of Politics in the Making of a University" on the history of the University of South Florida (USF).
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Lists and Speeches Relating to Lectures and Forums, March 6, 1964 and undated
John W. Egerton
Two lists and a speech about lectures and forums held at the University of South Florida (USF). The first list is of conservative lecturers invited to speak. The last two documents are about an appearance of Archibal MacLeish on campus.
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Correspondence between William O. Batts and John Egerton Relating to Denna F. Fleming, July - October 1963
John W. Egerton
A series of letters between John W. Egerton and William O. Batts of Vanderbilt University about information on Dr. Denna F. Fleming, a professor of Cold War history.
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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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Articles and Statements on Academic Freedom, 1962 and undated
John W. Egerton
A selection of reprints of articles and a report on academic freedom. Included are mentions of the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Association of University Professors, and the American Association of Colleges.
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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.
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Correspondence Related to Complaints about Academic Programs, November 1962 and May 1963
John W. Egerton
Consists of two items: a letter from John W. Egerton to Lawrence Perry dated November 26, 1962 addressing Perry's complaints about an academic program at the University of South Florida (USF), and a memo from R.M. Cooper to John W. Egerton dated May 3, 1963.
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Correspondence Relating to Invitations to the University Lectures Series, January 1962 - February 1964
John W. Egerton
A series of correspondence between University of South Florida (USF) and Florida State Department of Education officials about the University Lectures Series. Also included are a list of potential speakers with their response to the invitation.
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Correspondence Relating to Policies on Academic Freedom, October 1962 - June 1963
John W. Egerton
A series of letters to and from John W. Egerton relating to academic freedom at the University of South Florida (USF). Included are mentions of the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee (often called the Johns Committee), and the American Association of University Women.
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Correspondence Relating to the Jerome Davis and Thomas Wenner Cases, March 1962 - April 1963
John W. Egerton
A series of letters related to two cases: that of Jerome D. Davis' invitation to speak at the University of South Florida (USF), and that of Thomas Wenner having his offer to teach at USF rescinded.
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Correspondence Relating to the Sheldon Grebstein Case, October - November 1962
John W. Egerton
A series of letters relating to the controversy over materials about the Beatniks and Jack Kerouac English professor Dr. Sheldon N. Grebstein chose for a class. Many of the letters defend Dr. Grebstein and his right to academic freedom.
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Editorial Series by Mabel Chesley, September and December 1962
John W. Egerton
A series of editorial written by Mabel Chesley, editor of the Daytona Beach Morning Journal, about the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee's (also called the Johns Committee) investigation of the University of South Florida. Also included is a copy of a sermon preached at St. Mary's Church in Tampa, Florida, by the Rev. Carroll E. Simcox on September 2, 1962.
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Letter, Memo, and Telegram about Human Behavior Survey and Outside Influences on USF, July and December 1962
John W. Egerton
Consists of three items: a letter from John S. Allen to Edwin P. Martin about a survey published in the Tampa Tribune about a human behavior class activity; a memo from Edwin P. Martin to John S. Allen about the human behavior survey; and a telegram to Baya Harrison, Chairman of the Board of Control, in support of the University's independence from outside influences signed by many people.
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Papers Relating to Denna F. Fleming's Appointment, April 1962 - March 1963 and undated
John W. Egerton
A series of interview notes, quotes, news releases, and memos about the appointment of Dr. Denna F. Fleming to the University of South Florida after his retirement from Vanderbilt University. Excerpts from and reviews of his book "The Cold War and Its Origins" are included.
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Papers Relating to Opposition of the Johns Committee USF Investigation, March 1962 - January 1964 and undated
John W. Egerton
A collection of documents mostly in opposition to the work of the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee (Johns Committee) at the University of Florida.
