A Guide to the Robert Alexis "Lex" Green Papers
Finding aid created by Chris Baker
University of Florida Smathers Libraries - Special and Area Studies Collections
January 2008
Descriptive Summary |
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| Provenance: | Green, Robert Alexis, 1892-1973. | |
| Title: | Robert Alexis "Lex" Green Papers | |
| Dates: | 1922-1945 | |
| Abstract: | Congressman Lex Green’s papers concerning campaigns, legislation, and committee service. Also, an extensive amount of miscellaneous correspondence. | |
| Extent: | 22 linear feet. (39 Boxes) | |
| Identification: | Ms 47 | |
Biographical/Historical Note
Robert Alexis "Lex" Green was born near Lake Butler, Florida, on February 10, 1892. He taught in Liberty Public School at the age of 16, and graduated from the high school in 1913. From 1913 to 1918 he served in various positions, including chief clerk, in the State House of Representatives. He earned a B.S. in 1916 from the University of Florida, and worked as principal of Suwannee High School in 1916 and 1917. He was a member of the State House from 1918-1920, serving as speaker pro tempore in 1918. He studied law at Yale University, was admitted to the Bar in 1921, and commenced practice in Starke, Florida. He was elected judge of Bradford County in 1921 and served until 1924.
In 1924 he was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served in Congress until his resignation in 1944. After an unsuccessful candidacy for the Florida gubernatorial nomination, he entered the United States Navy in November 1944. Following the end of World War II he resumed practicing law in Starke, and served as county prosecuting attorney and as city attorney for Starke. He died February 9, 1973, in Gainesville, Fla.
Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-present
Scope and Content
This collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, press releases and legislative bills. The correspondence is divided into several categories: personal correspondence, campaign correspondence, correspondence regarding the House Rivers and Harbors Committee, veterans’ claims correspondence, endorsements of state and federal positions, and correspondence regarding legislation. A large portion of the collection (Boxes 21-39) is labeled miscellaneous correspondence and is organized chronologically.
Of particular interest are items related to plans for the Cross Florida Barge Canal and the closing of Silver River to navigation. Papers covering these topics can be found with the Rivers and Harbors Committee correspondence and in the miscellaneous correspondence. During World War II Green was active in promoting the creation of air bases in Florida, and most of the letters pertaining to this can be found in miscellaneous correspondence after 1941. Other items of interest include bills that he introduced into the House of Representatives while in office. As is evident from these bills, he favored stricter immigration laws and increased pensions for veterans and the elderly. Green promoted development in Florida. Many war-time letters deal with problems that local businesses faced with supply and delivery of products. His constituents showed particular hostility towards the Office of Price Administration (OPA) and various other New Deal regulatory agencies. Additionally, the collection contains a significant amount of correspondence related to the Work Projects Administration (WPA) projects and veterans’ claims. These materials illustrate the operation of the federal government under Roosevelt and the New Deal.
Because the miscellaneous correspondence contains papers that are also present in other categories of the collection, researchers should consider cross-referencing the subject-based material with miscellaneous correspondence from the same time period.
Access or Use Restrictions
Access
Collection is open for research.
Related or Separated Material
Green was a contemporary of J. Hardin Peterson and Spessard Holland and other politicians, whose papers are available at the UF Smathers Libraries.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Robert Alexis "Lex" Green Papers, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Robert Alexis Green.
Contents List
Selected Subjects and Access Points |
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| Cross Florida Barge Canal (Fla.) | ||
| Florida -- Politics and government -- 1865-1950. | ||
For further information, please contact: Special Collections Access Services.
