The John Tyler Caldwell Papers document the extensive public life of John Tyler Caldwell (1911-1995). These papers reflect the various roles and challenges Caldwell faced as a political science professor, president of Alabama College, president of the University of Arkansas, and chancellor of North Carolina State University.
John Tyler Caldwell (1911-1995) was a political science professor, president of Alabama College, president of the University of Arkansas and chancellor of North Carolina State University.
John Tyler Caldwell was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on December 19, 1911. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi State College (1932), master's degrees from Duke University (1936) and Columbia University (1937), and a doctoral degree in political science from Princeton University (1939) as a Julius Rosenwald Fellow. A political science instructor, Caldwell taught at Holmes Junior College from 1932 to 1936 and at Vanderbilt University from 1939 to 1947. He entered the United States Navy as an Ensign in 1942, eventually earning a Bronze Star Medal for his service in Okinawa. During this time, Caldwell was married to Helen Prentice from 1942 to 1945. In 1946, he left the Navy with the rank of Lt. Commander. At Vanderbilt he met Catherine Wadsworth Zeek. They married in May 1947. That same year, Alabama College (now the University of Montevallo) selected Caldwell as their president (1947-1952). He served as President of the University of Arkansas from 1952 to 1959. He then accepted the Chancellorship at North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University), a position he held from 1959 to 1975.
Chancellor Caldwell married Carol Schroeder Erskine in June 1963, two years after the death of his second wife, Catherine Zeek Caldwell. As chancellor, Caldwell oversaw the expansion of North Carolina State from a college to a Class I research university. His reputation as an effective administrator gained both state and national recognition because of his effective handling of volatile issues and events, such as the university's controversial name changes and student protests over civil rights and the Vietnam War. After retiring, Caldwell taught political science and education courses at North Carolina State University until 1985, and was president of the Triangle Universities Center for Advanced Studies, Inc. (1975-1982).
In 1976, NC State University named its most prestigious merit-based scholarships in Caldwell's honor, the John T. Caldwell Merit Scholarships. In 1988, Caldwell accepted the interim presidency of the Research Triangle Foundation. A popular orator, Caldwell continually gave speeches for various organizations and causes. He received numerous awards, including the Watauga Medal in 1986, the North Carolina Award in 1987, and the University of North Carolina Board of Governor's University Award in 1989.
Caldwell died on October 13, 1995.
The majority of the John Tyler Caldwell papers document his extensive public life. These papers reflect the various roles and challenges Caldwell faced as a political science professor, president of Alabama College, president of the University of Arkansas and chancellor of North Carolina State University. The collection demonstrates Caldwell's role as "chief architect in the development of NC State University as a comprehensive and internationally acclaimed institution of higher education" through its Administrative and Correspondence files. A member of many committees and organizations, Caldwell's public life extended beyond the borders of the university into the surrounding community. Conference and reference files reflect issues which affected the South and the nation. Correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, articles, artifacts, speeches, lectures, travels and photographs chronicle a life rarely out of the public eye.
A limited portion of Caldwell's private life is represented in these papers. Biographical material exists, but not in abundance. Addended material concentrates on Caldwell's service in the United States Naval Reserves during World War II, particularly in Okinawa. Located in the Personal files, these documents reveal United States policies toward Okinawa and Caldwell's role in the transfer of political power back to the Okinawans after the war. Other documents focus on administrative aspects of estates of friends and family. Other topics include Caldwell's involvement in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, and an article on his political views regarding John F. Kennedy. Correspondence, photographs, articles, and newspaper clippings are included.
The John Tyler Caldwell Papers are divided into ten series: Administrative Files; Correspondence; Personal Files; Speeches; Lectures; Thesis and Dissertation; Travels; Reference Files; Artifacts; and Unprocessed Material.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], John Tyler Caldwell Papers, MC 00037, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Transfer from Alumni Affairs Office on July 3, 1969; Gift from Dr. John T. Caldwell on June 27, 1975; January 7, 1976; October 14, 1976; and March 5, 1981; Transfer from D.H. Hill Library on February 2, 1970 and December 31, 1984; Gift from Mrs. John T. Caldwell on February 2, 1996 and July 24, 1996.
Processed by: Maurice Toler; machine-readable finding aid created by: Dawne E. Howard; Updated by Aaron Cusick; addition processed and finding aid updated by Shima Hosseininsab, 2021 June.
The collection is organized into nine principal series:
Correspondence, articles, and memoranda on Caldwell's involvement in colleges, universities, conferences, committees, memberships, and organizations. These are listed chronologically.
After review, access to the digital copies may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
The Special Collections Research Center, NC State University Libraries, has digital copies of some or all of these materials.
After review, access to the digital copies may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
The Special Collections Research Center, NC State University Libraries, has digital copies of some or all of these materials.
Caldwell's correspondence is divided into personal (1952-1981) and miscellaneous (1981-1992). This separation is part of Caldwell's original order. The correspondence contains handwritten notes and letters, typed letters, and memoranda. Letters are arranged chronologically.
Contains limited biographical material on John Tyler Caldwell. Includes mostly administrative information on the estates of his mother, Helen Lilley Caldwell, and first wife, Catherine Zeek Caldwell. Addended files focus on his service in the United States Naval Reserves during World War II. The majority of material relates to Okinawa's political situation after the war. Included are personal histories of Okinawa written by Caldwell, Willard A. Hanna, and James T. Watkins, as well as newspaper clippings, letters, and articles on the First Church of Christ, Scientist, and his political views on John F. Kennedy.
Caldwell's speeches from Mississippi Cultural & Mechanical College, Alabama College, University of Arkansas, and North Carolina State University. Also contains speeches given to organizations. These are arranged chronologically with undated speeches at the end.
Contains lectures on political science and education courses Caldwell taught from 1976 thru 1982. These classes dealt with higher education and American government.
0.5 archival boxes
Contains Caldwell's masters thesis from Duke University (1935) and his doctoral dissertation from Princeton University (1939).
0.3 archival boxes
Papers related to Caldwell's travels abroad and in the United States from 1951 to 1984.
2 archival boxes
Reference material for classes and speeches. The topics are divided alphabetically and include: Research Triangle Park, Separation of Church and State, Speech Material, Higher Education, Tuition, and articles by Martin Trow.
Adopted by The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina August 22, 1977
This plan was approved by the Governor of North Carolina on May 12, 1978. The plan consists of four parts. Part One: State Plan, Phase II (Adopted August 22, 1977). Part Two: Comments on the State Plan (Adopted December 5, 1977). Part Three: Supplemental Statement (Adopted December 30, 1977). Part Four: Supplemental Statement - II (Adopted May 12, 1978).
Plaques, awards, and medals that Caldwell received from 1932 to 1978, as well as caps and gowns and other items.
This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.
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[Identification of item], John Tyler Caldwell Papers, MC 00037, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.