Robert F. Poole Presidential Records
Collection
Identifier: Series-0005
This series contains the general and subject correspondence of Robert Franklin Poole. The bulk of correspondence deals with the development of Clemson College and its various programs, for example, training of agricultural teachers, the school of architecture, a nuclear science program, silk production, research involving the use of bamboo as reinforcement for concrete, and the army engineering program. A number of letters concern the development and use of lands for various purposes, for example, forest and wildlife research and soil and water conservation. Frequent correspondents include college administrators such as R. A. McGinty, Harlan McClure, Robert C. Edwards, Edgar A. Brown, W. H. Washington, T. Wilbur Thornhill, and G. H. Aull.
The series also contains folders of information about the recipients of honorary degrees awarded by Clemson University. Copies of letters made by the thermofax photocopy method and letters written on an acidic stock have been replaced with photocopies printed on archival quality bond. See the "Separation List" for a listing of photographs.
Robert Franklin Poole was born 2 December 1893 at Gray Court in Laurens County, South Carolina, the son of Ula Barto and Lila Yeargin Poole. He attended public schools in the county and received a bachelor of science degree from Clemson College in 1916. In 1917, Poole entered Rutgers University and received the master of science degree in plant pathology. During World War I he enrolled in the U. S. War School at Hampton, Virginia and studied aerial photography. As a sergeant first-class he served thirteen months in France as an instructor in the use of cameras and four months in Germany with the Army of occupation. Returning to
Rutgers in 1919, Poole continued his studies in plant pathology and received his doctorate degree in 1921. That same year he married Sara Margaret Bradley, daughter of James F. Bradley of Abbeville.
In 1922 Poole was appointed associate plant pathologist for the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. In this position, he researched diseases of sweet potatoes and other crops. In 1929 Poole accepted a position at as associate professor and plant pathologist at North Carolina State College where he researched diseases that affected tobacco and peaches. In March 1940 the Clemson College Board of Trustees appointed Poole to succeed Enoch W. Sikes. Poole served as President until his death 6 June 1958. Poole belonged to numerous civic and professional organizations. Detailed biographical information about President Poole and his years at Clemson College may be found in the Biographical Materials Series.
4 Cubic Feet (15 boxes, 3 oversize maps, 23 photographs)
English
The series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Office of the President.
The following photographs have been removed and placed in Clemson University Photograph Collections, Series 100:
Argonaut nuclear reactor and model, taken from folders 121-128.
The following photographs were taken from folders 81-109:
Bates, Jeff B., not dated
Bryan, Wright, 1956
Cain, Ralph H., 1954
Campbell, Malcolm, 1957
Coker, James Lide III, 1958 (3)
Daniel, Charles E., 1951
Eickelberger, Robert Lawrence, 1942
Fridy, W. W., 1956
Furman, Alester G. Jr., 1956
Grier, F. E., 1951 (2)
Horn, Charles Lilley, 1953
Lunz, George Robert, 1958
McBride, James N., 1958
Montgomery, Walter S., 1951
Newman, James, 1957
Pace, Homer M., 1951
Self, James C., 1951 (2)
White, Warren T., 1957
Processed by Amy Wagner, student assistant, July 1987.
Part of the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository