Miscellaneous Materials Regarding Edward Ball
Scope and Content
This collection contains news clippings, articles, manuscripts, photographs, and interviews related to Ed Ball. The materials were accumulated by Raymond K. Mason and Virginia Harrison during the writing of their book, Confusion to the Enemy: A Biography of Edward Ball (1976). The majority of the materials pertain to Ball's financial empire in Florida, including the Florida East Coast Railway and his position as trustee of the dePont estate. The manuscripts consist of two works about Ball: Confusion to the Enemy by Mason and Harrison, and The Ed Ball Story by Hullverson.
Dates
- Creation: 1938-1981
Creator
- Mason, Raymond K. (Person)
- Harrison, Virginia W. (Virginia Whipple) (Person)
Access
The collection is open for research.
Biographical/Historical Note
Born in Virginia in 1888, Edward Ball became a leading and powerful figure in Florida finance and politics when he took over the management of the estate of his brother-in-law, Alfred I. duPont. As trustee for this estate, he was able to spearhead profitable endeavors such as the St. Joe Paper Co., the Florida East Coast Railway, the Florida National Bank, and substantial real estate investments. Although he never held public office, his political clout was extraordinary. He was recognized as the power behind the rural Florida politicians known as the "Porkchop Gang" who held power for several decades, beginning in the 1930s. He died in 1981 in New Orleans.
Extent
0.8 Linear feet (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Interviews, articles, clippings, and other material used by Raymond K. Mason and Virginia Harrison in their book about Florida businessman Ed Ball entitled Confusion to the Enemy: A Biography of Edward Ball.
Physical Location
University of Florida Smathers Library Building
Acquisition Information
Gift of Raymond K. Mason.
Subject
- Florida East Coast Railway. (Organization)
- Ball, Edward, 1888-1981. (Person)
- DuPont, Alfred I. (Alfred Irénée), 1864-1935. (Person)
- Du Pont family. (Person)
- Title
- A Guide to the Miscellaneous Materials Regarding Edward Ball
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Dept. Staff
- Date
- March 2005
- 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
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755
special@uflib.ufl.edu