Spessard Lindsey Holland Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 76-5

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Spessard Lindsey Holland collection consists primarily of the personal correspondence, photographs, campaign materials, individual files, Floridiana, and memorabilia such as various awards and certificates, plaques, and miscellaneous novelty items. The collection has materials dated from the 1890s to the early 1970s with the majority of the collection dated after the 1930s.

Biographical materials on the former Governor and U.S. Senator can be found in this collection as well as various papers and correspondence during his terms in both of these offices. Also included are speeches, tax records, recordings and photographs, presentations, memberships, Holland Family papers and correspondence, as well as over 170 books that belonged to the Hollands.

Online Copies Available

Select materials from the Holland Papers have been digitized and are available through the FSU Digital Library.

Dates

created: 1892-1971

Creator

Holland, Spessard L. (Spessard Lindsey) 1892-1971 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers. Users may access this collection at the Claude Pepper Library.

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

Spessard Lindsey Holland, 28th Governor of Florida (January 1941-January 1945) was born in Bartow, Florida on July 10, 1892, to Benjamin F. and Virginia (Spessard) Holland. He graduated from Emory College (now Emory University) in 1912 and the University of Florida Law School in 1916. Holland served in World War I as a member of the Army Air Corps, and he held the rank of Captain by the end of the war.

Throughout his professional career, Holland worked as a school teacher, citrus grower, and attorney before entering the political arena. He was elected to State Senate in 1932 and served until his election as governor in 1941. He was appointed to United States Senate in September 1946 and later successfully ran for that office serving a total of four six-year terms.

Holland died in Bartow on November 6, 1971. A more detailed biography including many of his legislative activities can be found in the biographical materials contained within this collection.