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A Guide to the Ashley Davis Hurt Papers

Finding aid prepared by Dept. Staff

University of Florida Smathers Libraries - Special and Area Studies Collections
March 2005


Descriptive Summary
Provenance: Hurt, Ashley Davis
Title: Ashley Davis Hurt Papers
Dates: 1864-1898
Abstract: Papers related to the Civil War, the Louisville Male High School and the Florida Agricultural College, as well as the College's placement in Lake City or Tallahassee.
Extent: 32 Items
Identification: Manuscript Collection 64

Biographical/Historical Note

Ashley D. Hurt was the first president of the Florida Agricultural College at Lake City. Hurt was born in Petersburg, Virginia, and was educated at the University of Virginia. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate Navy. After the war, Hurt continued his studies at Gottingen and earned a master's degree in Greek. He served briefly as principal of the Louisville Male High School before taking the post at Lake City in 1884. His tenure at Lake City was also short. He accepted the position of headmaster at the Tulane High School in 1885. When that institution was abolished in 1894, he taught Greek at Tulane University. He died March 10, 1898.

Scope and Content

The Hurt papers contain Civil War papers related to his appointment as secretary to Flag Officer Captain F. O. Lynch at Cape Fear, North Carolina. Also included are papers related to the Louisville Male High School, the Florida Agricultural College, and Tulane. Most notable is a seven page letter to his wife describing Lake City and Tallahassee. Hurt states that the decision to locate the Agricultural College in Lake City was a blunder and that it should have been placed in Tallahassee. He follows with a long description of that city and his meetings with Governor William D. Bloxham and former Governor David S. Walker.

Access or Use Restrictions

Access

Collection is open for research.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Ashley Davis Hurt Papers, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Contents List

Hurt Papers


Box 1
Obituaries and biographical materials. (3 items)
Letters of recommendation and introduction. Includes copy of letter of recommendation from Kentucky Governor J. Proctor Knott to Florida Governor W. D. Bloxham. Feb. 27, 1884 (10 item)
Expression of regret from faculty at Hurt's resignation as president of the Florida Agricultural College. June 6, 1885. (1 item)
Letter from Superintendent of Public Instruction acknowledging Hurt's resignation. June 2, 1885. (1 item)
Civil War letters regarding Hurt's appointment as secretary to Flag Officer Lynch. Also, instructions written on envelope. 1864. (3 items)
Miscellany, Louisville Male High School. (4 items)
Correspondence. 1874-1883. (8 items)
Letter to his wife and typed transcript. July 27, 1884. Date of transcription unknown. (2 items)


Selected Subjects and Access Points
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog:
Organizations:
Confederate States of America. Navy.
Florida. State Agricultural College.
Louisville Male High School (Louisville, Ky.)
Subject Terms:
Universities and colleges -- Florida -- History.

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

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