John Greer papers

Collection

Identifier: P1987-07M

Staff Only

Scope and Content of the Papers

The collection consists of various political ads, campaign materials, press clippings, endorsements, campaign finance records, contributor and voter information, and Sibley Committee material. Also included are numerous letters to Greer from constituents and supporters from around the state. Of particular interest is Greer's 1960 address in Macon defending the Sibley Committee's work and recommendations. Also of note is the correspondence he received after the speech. The earliest material contained in the papers are files of correspondence from 1948 and 1951. Personal and political mementos are contained in the scrapbooks. This material dates from 1948 to 1986, though the bulk of the collection centers in the 1970s.

Dates

1948-1986

Creator

Greer, John, 1909-1994 (Person)

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

Biography of John Greer

John W. Greer was born March 25, 1909 in Ben Hill County, Georgia. He died March 18, 1994. A life-long Democrat, Greer attended Emory University, married Grace Donahue of Valdosta, and fathered six children. After Grace's death in 1981, he married Martha Walker Millre of Bremen. Greer's career in state politics began in 1939 when he became Clerk of the Georgia House of Representatives. Later that same year, he moved to the Governor's office as secretary, a position he held until 1940. Greer served a number of years as State Representative (1945-1954 from rural Lanier county, and 1970-1989 from urban Fulton county) and as State Senator. As a legislator, he served on the MARTA Overview Committee. Two 1940s laws which "unmasked" the Ku Klux Klan and provided for statewide secret ballot elections are among Greer's legislative accomplishments. While a state senator, he served as Secretary of the General Assembly Committee on Schools. More commonly known as the Sibley Committee, this body determined that resistance to school integration was a lost cause and recommended compliance with federal court orders on the matter.

Extent

1.67 Linear Feet (in 4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

John Greer was a Georgia politician. Greer's career in state politics began in 1939 when he became Clerk of the Georgia House of Representatives. Greer served a number of years as State Representative (1945-1954 from rural Lanier county, and 1970-1989 from urban Fulton county) and as State Senator. As a legislator, he served on the MARTA Overview Committee. Two 1940s laws which "unmasked" the Ku Klux Klan and provided for statewide secret ballot elections are among Greer's legislative accomplishments. While a state senator, he served as Secretary of the General Assembly Committee on Schools. The collection consists of various political ads, campaign materials, press clippings, endorsements, campaign finance records, contributor and voter information, and Sibley Committee material.

Organization Note

Organized into 7 series: I. Campaign materials; II. Campaign finances; III. Correspondence and endorsements; IV. Sibley Committee; V. Scrapbooks; VI. Newspaper clippings; VII. Photographs.

Acquisition Information

Donated by in 1987.

Related Archival Materials

Related Materials in This Repository

John Greer oral histories, May 6, 27 and June 4, 1987 (P1987-07). Series B. Public Figures (P2000-06). Georgia Government Documentation Project.

Processing Information

Processed by Angela Lefebvre, July 2003. The collection had no apparent organization upon receipt and was placed in current order by Special Collections staff based upon content. There were a number of folders containing duplicate materials: In these instances, the duplicates were removed and the originals retained for researcher use. Many of the folders were assigned titles by processing staff.