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Fuller Warren Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 110

Scope and Content

This collection consists of scrapbooks, correspondence (including World War II, gubernatorial, and personal letters), essays, speeches, and financial information. The date range of the material is 1926-1953, but the majority of the collection is dated between 1940-1951. Material for Warren's campaign for governor in 1940 and 1948 are also included in the collection. The Senate Special Committee to investigate crime in Interstate Commerce, also know as the Kefauver Committee, investigated organized crime in Florida during Warren's term as governor. This collection contains statements, information, and correspondence pertaining to Fuller Warren's battle with Chairman Kefauver. Also, documents relating to Fuller Warren's libel suit against Collier's magazine are included. Ten scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings documenting Warren's career for the years 1948-1951.

Dates

  • Creation: 1926-1953

Creator

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Fuller Warren was born on October 3, 1905, in Blountstown, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida in 1926 and a Law Degree from Cumberland University in 1930. While a senior at the University of Florida, he was elected to represent Calhoun County in the State House of Representatives (1927). Returning to Jacksonville after law school, Fuller Warren was elected to the Jacksonville City Council in 1931 and served until 1937. He returned to the State House of Representatives in 1939 representing Duval County. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1940. He served as a Naval Gunnery Officer during World War II. He was elected governor of Florida in 1948 and served from 1949 to 1953.

As governor, Fuller Warren led the fight to end open (unfenced) ranging of cattle. The first state sales tax was passed during his administration. He was involved in two major controversies while in office. The first involved a lawsuit he filed against Collier's magazine for libel. The second was a conflict with U.S. Senator Kefauver's investigation into organized crime. He left office in 1953 and his later bid to be governor in 1956 was unsuccessful. After 1953 he lived in Miami where he practiced law. Fuller Warren was married three times: Sallie Mae Stegall, 1929-1937; Pat Pacetti, 1939-1942; and Barbara Manning, 1949-1954. He died September 23, 1973.

Extent

3 Linear feet (3 boxes; 10 volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Papers relating to former Florida Governor Fuller Warren, his campaigns, his service in the Navy during World War II and other personal documents.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Related Material

A larger collection of Fuller Warren's papers is available at Florida State University. Also, the State Archives of Florida contains the official gubernatorial papers of Fuller Warren.

Title
A Guide to the Fuller Warren Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Richard Slaughter, Jr.
Date
November 2008
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755