Manuscripts - MSS 5 - Collins, Linton McGee, 1902-1972

Papers of Linton McGee Collins, 1947-1964

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 5
Creator: Linton M. Collins
Title: Papers of Linton M. Collins, 1947-1964
Quantity: 2.0 Linear Feet (5 document boxes)
Abstract: Collins was a member of Gallaudet’s Board of Directors. This collection focuses on his term on the Board of Directors.
Note: This document last updated 2005 November 28.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information:
Processed by: Ulf Hedberg. 1989 February 15.
Processing Note:
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives:

Films

• 105th Gallaudet College commencement [motion picture]. Gallaudet University Archives: Call Number: Deaf Film 3-8
• Gallaudet commencement [motion picture]. Gallaudet University Archives: Call Number: Deaf Film 30-8

Manuscripts

• Papers of Dr. Edward C. Merrill, Jr., 1928-1995. Gallaudet University Archives: Call Number: MSS 84

Photographs

• Linton M. Collins [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives: Call Number: Portraits

SMSS

• Elizabeth English Benson, 1945-1972. Gallaudet University Archives: Call Number: SMSS

Vertical Files

• Linton M. Collins. Gallaudet University Archives: Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Biographical Sketch

In 1902, on June 21, in Reidsville, Georgia, Linton McGee Collins was born. 19 years later, in 1921, Collins earned an A.B. degree from Mercer University and completed his M.A. at both Mercer and Columbia University as a law student, in 1922.

He taught English for two years at Lauier High School in Macon, Georgia. He moved to South Carolina in 1924 and taught English and history for one year in Columbia, South Carolina at Columbia High School. He was then admitted to the bars of the States of Georgia and Florida in 1924 and 1925, respectively.

In 1930, he was a teacher in the department of American Government and Political Science at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. In 1933, he owned a private law practice in Florida. During the same year, he also became personnel director and division administrator of the National Recovery Administration.

In 1935, at the request of President Delano Roosevelt, Collins joined the justice department. He first served as assistant to the Deputy Attorney General and later as special assistant to the Attorney General. He stayed on until 1944. In 1944, Collins returned to private practice in Washington, D.C. and was admitted to the D.C. bar.

He was then invited to join the Board of Directors of Gallaudet College. He subsequently served as secretary in 1950-1951 and as a vice president of the board during the 1955 academic year. He served on the board until 1964.

During his tenure on the board, in 1955, he was awarded an honorary LL.D degree from Gallaudet in recognition of his work and devotion. He left his position with the board to be associate judge of the United States Court of Claims, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, in 1964.

He died on April 12, 1972 in Washington, D.C., at the age of 69.

Scope and Content

The Linton McGee Collins Collection consists of his work as a member for the Board of Directors of Gallaudet College. The collection consists of approximately 3000 items and dates from 1947-1964. The majority of the papers date from the beginning of the 1960’s.

The bulk of the collection consists of general correspondence, complaints of State superintendents and alumni, land exchanges between Gallaudet college and the Government, Board of Fellows Resolutions, D.S.H. abstracts-Articles of Incorporation and the Estate of Luciana C. Beadell.

Most of the general correspondence is related to the Board of Directors. The general correspondence is arranged chronologically. In the folder labeled Accreditation, one can find reports and copies of minutes from the Board of Directors. There are letters and minutes from the Board of Directors included in the folder labeled “Complaints of State superintendents and alumni.”

In the folder of land exchanges between Gallaudet College and the Government, one can find letters, deeds, drawings, and copies of minutes. A list of prospective candidates for membership on the Board of Directors are included in the folder labeled “Board of Fellows Resolution.”

In the folder, D.S.H. abstracts-Articles of Incorporation, there are letters, by-laws, financial statements, and certificates. The folder labeled Estate of Luciana C. Beadell, wife of William W. Beadell, Class of 1891, contains wills and correspondence related to her bequeathal to Gallaudet College.

There is also a blueprint and plan from the Columbia Institution for the Deaf, located in graphics drawers.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists

No. Series