A Guide to the Manning Julian Dauer Papers

Finding aid prepared by John R. Nemmers

University of Florida Smathers Libraries - Special and Area Studies Collections
May 2004

Descriptive Summary
	Creator:	Dauer, Manning Julian, 1909-1987
	Title:	Manning Julian Dauer Papers
	Dates:	1900-1987
	Abstract:	Correspondence, writings, teaching materials and other papers of historian and political scientist Manning J. Dauer.
	Extent:	12.5 Linear feet. 31 Boxes.
	Identification:	Ms Coll. 26
	Language(s):	English
		Items from this collection have been digitized and are available online in the UF Digital Collections. For more information please see the note below.

Biographical/Historical Note

Manning Julian Dauer (1909-1987) was born in North Carolina, raised in Florida, and educated in Tampa public schools. He received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Florida in 1930 and 1931. He earned his Ph.D. in History from the University of Illinois in 1933. Dauer returned to UF in 1933 and taught in the Department of History and Political Science and, later, the Department of Political Science when the latter became a separate department. He was the first chair of the department and served in that position for twenty-five years.

As a respected political scientist, Dauer was called to serve on several state committees and was often called as an expert witness for state and federal court cases related to elections, reapportionment, and state constitutional matters. He was one of the principal developers of the 1967 reapportionment plan for Florida, as mandated by Federal District Court. He also was a key consultant to the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission and helped formulate the 1968 constitution.

His primary research interests were in political theory and American politics. He is the author of numerous articles, chapters, and books. His first book, The Adams Federalists, is considered a definitive study of that subject. He served in leadership positions with the American Political Science Association, the Southern Political Science Association, and the Florida Political Science Association. Beginning in 1938, he served as managing editor of The Journal of Politics for several years.

Scope and Content

The Dauer papers document his activities in professional and academic organizations and committees. The collection is divided into several series. The first series, covering the years 1923 to 1987, consists of Dauer's general correspondence with individuals and organizations, including C. Vann Woodward, Claude Pepper, Bob Graham, LeRoy Collins, William Carleton, and William McRae. Of particular interest are files pertaining to segregation, the Florida constitution, and elections and voters in the state.

The University of Florida General Files series is comprised of correspondence, committee, and subject files related to Dauer's professional activities as a member of the University's faculty. A number of files pertain to his involvement with university committees, the Faculty Senate, organizations such as Florida Blue Key and Phi Beta Kappa, and various councils and task forces. Several files relate to the Department of Political Science, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and various programs and initiatives of these academic units.

The UF Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee series includes material pertaining to faculty grievances and related cases before the committee. In addition to correspondence and memoranda, this series consists of Dauer's notes on the cases, documents submitted as evidence, and committee findings. Portions of this series may contain sensitive material on several tenure disputes. Information on restrictions of use may be obtained from the University Archivist.

The next two series document his involvement in the Southern Political Science Association (1952-1986) and the Professional Standards and Responsibilities Committee of the American Political Science Association (1967-1968).

The Publication and Manuscripts series primarily consists of drafts and copies of Dauer's writings and speeches, although this series also includes correspondence, notes, and research related to his writings. Topics include constitutional revision, reapportionment, segregation, elections, and higher education in Florida. In addition to his own work, the series also includes a small number of writings by his colleagues and collaborators.

Two small series include correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, notes and memoranda pertaining to Dauer's work for the State of Florida Committee on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice, as well as files related to the state university system and several Board of Control "Reports on Higher Education in Florida."

The Reapportionment in Florida series is comprised of research material, subject files, notes, correspondence, legal documents, news clippings, reports, and other material pertaining to the reapportionment of the Florida Legislature by Federal District Court (1965-1967). A large number of files contain Dauer's research material and notes, particularly on the history of legislative apportionment in Florida and other states. In addition, there are numerous files pertaining to the District Court case, including Dauer's amicus curiae as well as those of other individuals and groups. Other topics include the revision of the Florida Constitution, elections and voting precincts, and Dauer's own writings pertaining to the organization of legislative bodies.

Three final series include the personal papers, photographs, and memorabilia of Dauer and family members. These files consist of scrapbooks, biographical information, news clippings, oral histories, personal correspondence, and memorabilia items.

Access or Use Restrictions

Access

The collection is open for research.

Related or Separated Material

Dauer's administrative records as director of the Division of Social Sciences, the Social Sciences Institute, and the Social Sciences Council form Series 40 in the University Archives Public Records Collection.

Administrative Information

Alternate Form of Material

Digital reproductions of items in this collection are available online via the University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC). Please read the Permissions for Use statement for information on copyright, fair use, and use of UFDC digital objects.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Manning Julian Dauer Papers, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Dr. Manning J. Dauer.

Processing Notes

This collection originally was acquired through a number of accessions and for several years was split into two collections, one maintained by the University Archives and one by the P. K. Yonge Library for Florida History. There was a great deal of overlap between these collections, so they were combined to form one collection in 2004.

For further information, please contact: Special Collections Access Services.

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