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Acknowledgments
- University Press of Florida
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Acknowledgments Researching the life of Francis Simkins allowed me to travel throughout the South, and, along the way, I received research assistance from archivists, librarians , 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 project when I began and seemed continually intrigued by it. I greatly appreciate these scholars’ efforts to assist me. ix x Acknowledgments 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 requests 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 questions 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 university 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 repositories : 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. [18.118.200.86] Project MUSE (2024-04-17 12:44 GMT) Acknowledgments xi Peggy Sharpe, chairperson of the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics at Florida State University, translated several Portuguese documents for me, a difficult task for which I am grateful. My many conversations with Mississippi State University history professor Donald Mabry about Brazil and Gilberto Freyre helped me to gain insight into subjects that sometimes baffled me. Dr...