Robert A. Gray Scrapbooks

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 1973-131

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of fourteen scrapbooks assembled by Robert A. Gray and includes a typewritten introduction. Most of the scrapbooks consist of miscellaneous items such as photographs, clippings and letters pertaining to Gray's public and private life arranged in no discernible order with handwritten or typed commentary. Also known as MSS 0-131.

Dates

created: 1901-1969

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical or Historical Information

R. Andrew Gray (1882-1975) was born on August 2, 1882, near Concord, Georgia, the second son of a Methodist circuit preacher. The family soon moved to northern Florida where Gray was raised, educated, and first tried his hand at teaching in a country school at the age of fifteen. Gray later attended South Florida Military College in Bartow for four years. Before dedicating himself wholly to state politics, Gray spent nearly ten years in teaching, newspaper work, and local government. He then went on to spend most of sixty years, from the beginning of the century until his retirement in 1961, working in some capacity for the state of Florida. Gray represented Gadsden County as a legislator in 1910 and over the next twenty years he held various positions in state agencies including the State Treasury and the Comptroller's Office. In 1930, he was appointed Secretary of State to finish William Igou's term and then ran for that office himself in the next election. Gray served as Secretary of State from 1930 until 1961 when he resigned. For more details on Gray, see his autobiography, My Story, Rose Printing Company, Tallahassee, 1958, and W.T. Cash: History of Florida, American Historical Society, 1938, volume 3, page 5.