Millard Fillmore Caldwell Collection--Photographs, newspaper clippings, miscellaneous media, 1917-1984 (bulk, 1930-1970)

Collection Number: M88-062
Creator: Millard F. Caldwell
Title:
Quantity: 3.5 cubic feet

Description: This series contains photographs, newspaper clippings, audio recordings, and miscellaneous printed material regarding Millard Caldwell’s political career. Photographs are arranged by subject and predominantly illustrate scenes of Caldwell serving as U.S. Congressman, Governor, and Justice of the Florida Supreme court. Photographs of first lady Mary Caldwell and the Caldwell daughters are also present, in addition to a number of unidentified WWI era photographs. Arranged chronologically, the newspaper clippings are drawn from Florida and national newspapers. A significant amount of this printed material pertains to Caldwell’s inauguration, service in political office, activity in Florida after leaving office, and death in 1984. The collection also contains a large quantity of miscellaneous printed material; significant pieces include the program of Caldwell’s inauguration as Governor, papers regarding the Hall of Fame for Great Americans program, honorary doctorates of law awarded to Caldwell by the University of Florida and Florida Southern College, and publications by Florida Highways and The Relief Society Magazine. Oversized material includes certificates of membership and recognition awarded to Caldwell, photographs, and maps. Audio recordings of Caldwell speaking cover such topics as farming, citrus, and employment. Searchable index to selected images available on the Florida Photographic Collection web site at http://www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/ For additional material on Millard F. Caldwell’s term as Governor of Florida, see collection S576 (Correspondence of Governor Caldwell, 1945-1949) and S M82-9 (Papers of Caldwell, Millard Fillmore, 1933-1975)

Historical Note: Millard Fillmore Caldwell was born near Knoxville, Tennessee on February 6, 1897. He attended Carson Newman College, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Virginia. He also served in the army as a Lieutenant in World War I. Caldwell moved to Milton, Florida in 1924 where he practiced law. He represented Santa Rosa County in the Florida House of Representatives from 1929 to 1931. He served in the U.S. Congress representing the Third Congressional District from 1933 to 1941. When Caldwell retired from Congress, he moved to the Harwood Plantation near Tallahassee where he farmed and practiced law. Caldwell won the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1944 and defeated Bert Acker in the general election. As governor, Caldwell revised the system of educational finance. The Minimum Foundation Program for public schools was enacted during his administration. He expanded the Capitol Center and state services to meet the postwar population boom. After leaving office in 1949, he was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in 1962 and served until 1969, having been elected Chief Justice in 1967. He retired to practice law in Tallahassee. Caldwell died in Tallahassee in 1984.