George William Jeffers Collection LU-007
Information about the Collection
George William Jeffers (1897-1995) was born in Freshwater, Newfoundland, in 1897. In 1917 Jeffers graduated from the Methodist College in St. Johns. He left Newfoundland in 1919 to attend Boston University where he earned his B.S. and M.A. degrees. In 1926 he became a professor at the State Teachers College in Farmville, Virginia, where he taught until his retirement in 1968. In 1931 he received his doctorate in marine biology from the University of Toronto. For a period of time during his tenure at Longwood, he served as head of the Department of Natural Sciences. In appreciation of his 42 years of dedication to his profession and his students, the science auditorium in Stevens Hall at Longwood was named in his honor.
Dr. Jeffers served as President of the Virginia Academy of Science from 1940 to 1941, and as the Director of Survey for the Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Commission from 1943 to 1945. He was one of the co-founders of the National Association of Biology Teachers.
Dr. Jeffers was a contributor of articles published in several scientific journals. He and a colleague, Edith Stevens, collaborated on several texts used in-house by their students. After his retirement from Longwood, Dr. Jeffers wrote a book entitled The Bastards’ Book which was published in 1981 by Driftwood Press.
Provenance
This collection was transferred from Alumni Relations to the Longwood Library for its archival collection in December 1993 by Nancy Shelton, Director of Alumni Relations. Dr. Jeffers’ son, Jack Jeffers, had given these papers to Longwood via Alumni Relations.
Scope and Content
This collection, contained in nine archival boxes, is divided into the following series:
• Correspondence – contains letters written to and from Dr. Jeffers and are further divided into the following subseries:
- Correspondence related to the Virginia Fisheries Lab.
- Correspondence with Longwood faculty.
- Correspondence, personal.
- Correspondence with students and colleagues upon retirement.
- Correspondence, Newfoundland.
***All correspondence, with the exception of personal correspondence, are in chronological order. Personal correspondence is arranged alphabetically by the correspondent’s last name.
• Manuscripts – contains a variety of articles written by Dr. Jeffers and texts of addresses given by Dr. Jeffers. This series also contains a draft (typed, with corrections) of a book written by Dr. Jeffers (The Bastards’ Book). Included in this series are bits and pieces of stories written by Dr. Jeffers that appear to be autobiographical.
• Personal and Biographical Materials – contains a collection of materials that Dr. Jeffers kept with his personal papers and that relate to some aspect of his life and career. Included are a birth certificate, several photographs, educational information, employment information, newspaper clippings, and a personal notebook. This series also includes scrapbook materials with miscellaneous writings, clippings, and photographs that were significant to Dr. Jeffers. There is also an informal notebook filled with random handwritten notes and typed stories. The notebook is entitled “Chats with Jarman and More.”
• Miscellaneous Materials – contains research that Dr. Jeffers used in writing articles, including notes and clippings. This series also includes a variety of miscellaneous print materials dealing with organizations in which Dr. Jeffers was actively involved.
Size
This collection consists of 4.8 linear feet and is contained in 9 archival boxes.
Notes
No restrictions to access or use for research purposes. The following books and pamphlets included with Dr. Jeffers’ donated papers have been catalogued and moved to the book collection in Special Collections:
1. Francis Butler Simkins, 1897-1966: Historian of the South. An 85 page booklet published by the Simkins family in his memory.
2. Jeffers, George. We Once Owned Blarney. Self-published pamphlet, 1970.
3. Jeffers, George. Christopher Columbus Reed: A Big Man in a Small Town. Self-published booklet. 1976.
4. Hart, Scott. From Sayler’s Creek to Appomattox. Randolph House, Inc., 1965.
5. Tabb, Jennie Masters. For You. Boston: Strattford Company, 1927.
6. Virginian. 1912 edition.
7. A Review of the South Central Piedmont Counties of Virginia. Prepared by the Bureau of Population and Economic Research, UVA, April 1947.
Contents of the Collection
Box 1 of 9: Correspondence
Folders 1-38 - Conquerors of Time – draft copy in typescript
Box 1 of 9
Folder 3 - Correspondence with Edna Stevens (sister of Edith Stevens) 1969-1970
4 - Correspondence with Longwood Faculty 1930s
5 - Correspondence with Longwood Faculty 1940s
6 - Correspondence with Longwood Faculty 1950s
7 - Correspondence with Longwood Faculty 1960s
Box 1 of 9
Addington, L.F.
Alvey, Edward Jr.
Annie
Bird, L.C.
Bishop, W.R.
Bugoen, W.B.
Caldwell, Otis
Clark, Austin H.
Clift, William
Davis, Donald
Fenwick, Mark
Fray, J.J.
Freeman, Mallory
Galvin, Roland
Gaylord, Ilsien Nathalie
Hagg, H.B.
Hastings, C.B.
Harrington, S.J. and M.A.
Huntsman, A.G.
James, Sara
Jones, W. Catesby
Mallieu, Benjamin
Miller, E.C.L.
Mosley, J.M.
Moulton
Negus, Sidney
Nichols, Mary
Owenhaul
Palmer, James
Pringle, Ruth
Rayfield, Margaret
Royle, Harry
Stevenson, May (Harbor Grace)
Strait
“The Physics Girls”
Warren
Weysse, Arthur W.
Williams, Thomas
Zoology Class
Box 1 of 9
Agee
Atkinson, P. Tulane
Blees, W.A.
Chapman, Walter
Cline, Justus H.
Collins, J.C.
Evans, L.S.
Gaines, Francis P.
Gammon, Edgar G.
Hardy, Elizabeth
Houdek, P.K.
Howe, H.E.
Jackson, Georgia
Junior Class
Lawless, Elinor
Louthan, Frank
Macfarlane, A.N.
Massey, A.B.
McDowell, E.D.
Morgan, Banner Bill
Mundee, Roy
Negus, Sidney
Owens, Helen
Page
Rawls, Mrs. Clyde
Rice, Minnie V.
Sheepe, E.S.
Stanley, Thos. B.
Studelaher
Thelma
Wallace
Wareham, Richard T.
White
Wiggins, R.E.
Wingo, A.L.
Woothen
Yang, You Chan
Box 1 of 9
Abdalla, Carolyn Gray
Abell, Bess
Burgess, Carter L.
Clifton, Patrica
Cotter, David
Creasy, Jane B.
Dees, Bowen C.
Evans, Rebecca
Flint, Franklin
Floyd, Susie
Fraser, Allan
Gustafson, Faye
Lankford, F.G. Jr.
Marritt, Dorothy
Michaels, James W.
Morrell, William E.
Morris, Nancy
Neal, Nathan A.
Niermeyer, A.B.
Orndorff, Beverly
Remsburg, Vera Baron
Smallpiece, Basil
Sneller, Maurice
Stoneburner, Frances
Styles, Twitty
Waleski, Mary
Whitehill, Walter Muir
Wohler, Patrick
Box 1 of 9
Abdalla, Carolyn Gray
Abell, Bess
Burgess, Carter L.
Clifton, Patrica
Cotter, David
Creasy, Jane B.
Dees, Bowen C.
Evans, Rebecca
Flint, Franklin
Floyd, Susie
Fraser, Allan
Gustafson, Faye
Lankford, F.G. Jr.
Marritt, Dorothy
Michaels, James W.
Morrell, William E.
Morris, Nancy
Neal, Nathan A.
Niermeyer, A.B.
Orndorff, Beverly
Remsburg, Vera Baron
Smallpiece, Basil
Sneller, Maurice
Stoneburner, Frances
Styles, Twitty
Waleski, Mary
Whitehill, Walter Muir
Wohler, Patrick
Box 1 of 9
Correspondence written by Anna and George Jeffers (contains letters written to family members and editors of publications).
Box 1 of 9
Correspondence with students (1940-1980)
Box 1 of 9
Folder 14 – Photocopies of letters.
15 – 1961
16 – 1961-1968
Box 2 of 9: Correspondence (continued)
Folder 1 – 1925-1967
2 – 1965-1970
3 – Letter from Bobbie Robertson (1971-1978)
4 – Letters from Bobbie Robertson (1979-1981)
5 – Letters from Bobbie Robertson (1982-1986)
Folders 1-17 – Draft of The Bastards’ Book (each chapter contains one of the 17 chapters)
Folder 1 – Interim Report on the Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Commission, written under the direction of Dr. Jeffers (November 1945)
Folders 2-4 – Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Commission – writings and appendices of this study
Folder 5 – Research and correspondence related to the study of the Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Commission
Folders 6-8 – History of the Virginia Academy of Science
Folder 9 – Virginia Biology – rough draft 1
Folder 10 – Virginia Biology – rough draft 2
Folders 1-20 – History of Science – drafts of the text and research
Folder 1 – Introduction to Biology (typescript of a 1943 in-house publication)
2 – Fishes: The Earliest Vertebrates (typescript with corrections)
3 – Royal Place Names in Virginia (typescript of a draft copy)
4 – “A State Academy Charts its Course” (reprint of article published in the Scientific Monthly – Jan. 1943)
5 – What Bastards (typescript of a draft copy)
Folders 6-20 – Unpublished stories that appear to be biographical
21 – two incomplete and unidentified handwritten stories
22 – Listing of Articles and Papers Written by Jeffers:
Folder 23 – Published articles and letters to editors (a miscellaneous collection of personal opinions related to previously published articles)
Folder 24 – Article submitted to the Rotarian in 1956 titled “Talking Back to Mr. Hoover”
Folder 25 – Article submitted to the Richmond Times Dispatch about Newfoundland (undated)
Folder 26 – Book report written for class in 1925
Folder 27 – Paper prepared in methods class (1929) “Course of Study for High School Biology”
Folder 28 – Paper related to the teaching of science
Folder 29 – Small Town Talk – a brief writing about Prince Edward County
Folder 30 – four poems written by Dr. Jeffers
Folder 31 – Texts of Addresses Given by Dr. Jeffers:
Folder 1 – Includes birth certificate and other miscellaneous items.
2 – Remarks of Grace Virginia Rawls during dedication of Jeffers Auditorium in 1969.
3 – Articles about and photographs of Dr. Jeffers.
4 – Programs of events in which Jeffers presented or had some involvement.
5 – Information related to Dr. Jeffers’ education:
6 – Employment information:
7 – Newspaper articles about Dr. Jeffers
8 – Programs from Department of Science (Longwood) honoring Dr. Jeffers
9 – Personal notebook
10 – “Biology at Farmville,” Dr. Jeffers Book
Folders 11-12 – Scrapbook materials including writing, clippings, and photographs
13 – “Chats with Jarman and More” – a personal book filled with handwritten and typed stories
Folder 1 – Notebook with loose leaf pages “Dr. Jeff’s quote book.”
2 – Class record book – 1926/1927
3 – Listing of Science Majors, 1957-1963
4 – Listing of faculty publications (typescript containing pages 5-23 only)
5 – Outline for “Ocean Science”
6 – Virginia Resource-Use Educational Council
7 – Virginia Education Association, Science Section
8 – Virginia Academy of Science
9 – Miscellaneous Organizational Involvements:
10 – Articles about Newfoundland
Folders 11-13 – Articles related to the closing of the schools in Prince Edward County
Folder 1 – Article about Virginia scientists
2 – articles – Virginia Journal of Science
Folders 3-9 – miscellaneous clippings, articles, and materials of interest to Dr. Jeffers
10 – Research materials related to the Virginia Journal of Education
11 – Research materials related to biology
12 – Fishery Industries of the Chesapeake Bay – typed pages in binder (unidentified author)
13 – Typed pages in binder, chapters are about the various species of fish in the Chesapeake Bay, volume contains no title page
Located in Binder 1:
007.001 – Dr. Jeffers in full regalia, standing in front of Jeffers Hall.*
007.002 – Dr. Jeffers honored at dedication of Jeffers Hall.*
007.003 – Dr. Gordon Moss (mid 1920s)*
007.004 – George William Jeffers, small portrait photo, mid 1920s.*
007.005 – Unknown student in foreground, possibly Dr. Moss, blurred woman in background.
007.006 – Francis Butler Simkins*
007.007 – Group photo. Includes: Anne and George Jeffers.*
007.008 – Thanksgiving 1949*
007.009 – 50th Anniversary of school (1 of 2)*
007.010 – 50th Anniversary of school (2 of 2)*
007.011 – Dr. Raymond French and alums, Orlando, FL 1966*
007.012 – Group photo of students.*
007.013 – George William Jeffers in his office.*
007.014 – postcard, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey
007.015 – postcard, The Kennedy Memorial, Runnymede
007.016 – Small photograph of a home. “Mary Peck” written on bottom border.* **
007.017 – George William Jeffers, portrait* **
007.018 – Photo of two small children. “Agee” written along bottom border.**
007.019 – Woman standing on boat taking a photo.**
007.020 – Three people standing in front of entrance to building. “Trent” written along bottom border.**
007.021 – Couple with baby. Christmas photo. “Billups” is written along bottom of photo.**
007.022 – Frances & George Mallory family photo. Watkins Glen.**
007.023 – Caralie Nelson, 1941 (alum)**
007.024 – Unknown couple standing near stoop in front of home.**
007.025 – Small boy seated in front of mirror. “Helen Wiley, Hardy, Jimmy Wheat” written on bottom of photo.**
007.026 – Portrait of woman. “Higginbotham” written along bottom of photo.**
007.027 – Portrait of man. “Higginbotham” written along bottom of photo.**
007.028 – Ruth Dagger & date dancing, Dr. Jeffers in background.* **
007.029 – Woman and two small children. “Bragg” written along bottom of photo.**
007.030 – Photo of three small children. “Jim, John, Alice Anne, Langbein” written along bottom of photo.**
007.031 – Family portrait. “Jim, Steve, Jeff, Al, Dolores, & Sue” written along bottom of photo.**
007.032 – Family Christmas portrait. The Jack Burkes.**
007.033 – Photo of Dr. Jarman. Unknown year.* **
007.034 – Wedding photo. Unknown people.**
007.035 – Woman and baby. “Wallace” written along bottom of photo.**
007.036 – Lychnos Society, 1958* **
007.037 – small portrait, unknown person**
007.038 – Wedding photo. Nancy Anderson, Ruth Androvich, Pat Borkey.**
*Denotes photo has been digitized.
** Photo is in scrapbook entitled “Biology at Farmville,” George William Jeffers Collection, Box 7 of 11.
