Francis Butler Simkins: A Life

368 Pages·2008·1.852 MB·English

by  James S. Humphreys

francis Butler simkins
new perspectives on the history of the south
University Press of florida
florida a&M University, tallahassee
florida atlantic University, Boca raton
florida Gulf Coast University, ft. Myers
florida international University, Miami
florida state University, tallahassee
new College of florida, sarasota
University of Central florida, orlando
University of florida, Gainesville
University of north florida, Jacksonville
University of south florida, tampa
University of West florida, Pensacola
University Press of florida
Gainesville · Tallahassee · Tampa · Boca Raton · Pensacola
Orlando · Miami · Jacksonville · Ft. Myers · Sarasota
Francis
Butler
Simkins
a life
James S. Humphreys
Copyright 2008 by James s. Humphreys
Printed in the United states of america. This book is printed on
Glatfelter natures Book, a paper certified under the standards of
the forestry stewardship Council (fsC). it is a recycled stock that
contains 30 percent post-consumer waste and is acid-free.
all rights reserved
13 12 11 10 09 08 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Humphreys, James scott, 1963–
francis Butler simkins: a life/James s. Humphreys.
p. cm.—(new perspectives on the history of the south)
includes bibliographical references and index.
isbn 978-0-8130-3265-8 (alk. paper); ISBN 978-0-8130-3941-1 (e-book)
1. simkins, francis Butler, 1897–1966. 2. Historians–United states–
Biography. 3. southern states–Historiography.
i. title.
e175.5.s5h86 2008
907.2'029–dc22
[B] 2008022842
The University Press of florida is the scholarly publishing agency
for the state University system of florida, comprising florida
a&M University, florida atlantic University, florida Gulf
Coast University, florida international University, florida state
University, new College of florida, University of Central florida,
University of florida, University of north florida, University of
south florida, and University of West florida.
University Press of florida
15 northwest 15th street
Gainesville, fl 32611–2079
http://www.upf.com
To my parents,
Robert Byrd Humphreys
and the late Sarah Jean
Humphreys, with love
and admiration

Contents
acknowledgments ix
introduction 1
one Growing Up in History 4
two “a radical in the south Carolinian sense” 22
three a Provincial Confronts Modernity 38
four “a seeker after the Broadening truth” 51
five “life is adamant” 72
six “a remarkable interpretive study” 94
seven “return to the Beaten Path” 107
eight Challenging the dunning orthodoxy 129
nine Professional success, Personal turmoil 148
ten The Contrarian 168
eleven The lsU years 184
twelve Challenging the simkins orthodoxy 211
thirteen “an exalted life” ends 228
Conclusion 251
notes 259
Bibliography 305
francis B. simkins Bibliography 321
index 327
viii Contents
acknowledgments
researching the life of francis simkins allowed me to travel throughout the
south, and, along the way, i received research assistance from archivists, li-
brarians, historians, and other scholars, who graciously gave of their time and
expertise to help me. some of them have become close friends; all of them
have my appreciation. The most significant influence on my work came from
scholar John f. Marszalek, who wholeheartedly supported the idea of a simkins
biography from its inception. He patiently fielded my questions and provided
expert advice on the art of biography, a field in which he has excelled. He and
his wife, Jeanne, showed concern for me as a scholar and a person, and their
company, their support, and their positive natures always buoyed my spirits,
helping me to keep life in perspective. some debts cannot be repaid.
The editor of the series in which this book appears, John david smith, has
also exerted an inestimable influence over my development as a historian. i
learned the craft of history at his feet, and a student could not ask for a better
and more demanding mentor. The trust he has placed in me encouraged me to
set high goals and to pursue my calling with diligence.
robert Jenkins, Jason Phillips, and Connie lester read the manuscript and
offered helpful suggestions. e. stanly Godbold was thrilled to learn of the proj-
ect when i began and seemed continually intrigued by it. i greatly appreciate
these scholars’ efforts to assist me.
ix
Grady McWhiney, Charles roland, and otis singletary, three scholars who
studied under simkins at louisiana state University and maintained contact
with him during the last two decades of his life, graciously agreed to lengthy
interviews, offering insights into simkins and his work that i could not have
found anywhere else. francis Butler simkins Jr. also welcomed me into his
home, submitted to an interview, and contributed several photographs printed
in this book. These interview sessions were unforgettable experiences.
The highly capable staff of Mississippi state University’s Mitchell Memorial
library also provided crucial assistance. Brenda valentine filled numerous re-
quests for interlibrary loan material in a timely fashion. Mary Beth Grimes
guided me to important sources and offered much-needed encouragement.
sara Morris heard endless stories from me about francis simkins, explained
the workings of confusing databases, pointed out important sources, and
never ceased telling me that this project would be a success. another friend
and fellow scholar, Brian McKnight of san angelo state University, provided
through his own scholarship an excellent example for me to follow. His sunny
disposition and sense of humor offered needed respites from my worrying over
francis simkins, and his knowledge of computers, which he patiently shared
with me, also hastened the completion of this book.
The bulk of research was conducted at longwood University in farmville,
virginia, simkins’s home for nearly forty years. special thanks go to lydia
Williams, who heads the archives and records Management department at
longwood University, where simkins’s papers are housed. lydia allowed me
unlimited access to the collection and was always helpful in answering ques-
tions and facilitating my research in any way possible. library assistant ruth
Gowin, a resident of farmville, took an interest in the project and proved to
be a great asset, directing me to townspeople who possessed knowledge of
simkins, helping me to become acquainted with library policies, and directing
me to important sources. Her aid and her support were invaluable. during
the summer of research in farmville, i resided at the majestic alumni House,
operated at that time by lacy turney. i am deeply grateful to lacy and the uni-
versity administrators for their kindness in allowing me to stay there for only
a small fee.
archivists and librarians at a number of other manuscript departments
proved extremely helpful. i carried out research at the following reposito-
ries: special Collections, emory University; southern Historical Collection,
University of north Carolina at Chapel Hill; special Collections, Clemson
University; daniel a. tompkins library, edgefield, south Carolina; and the
rare Book, Manuscript, and special Collections library, duke University.
x Acknowledgments