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George H. Denny Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-3874

Scope and Contents

The collection contains outgoing correspondence from George H. Denny, president of The University of Alabama from 1912-1936. The letters are written to Professor J. M. Ward in Birmingham, Alabama. Additionally, the collection contains a Christmas card from Denny, souvenir postcards from around the state of Alabama, and a souvenir program from the Alabama v. Georgia Tech football game in 1954.

Dates

  • 1934-1957

Biographical / Historical

Dr. George H. Denny served as president of The University of Alabama from 1912-1936. Campus landmarks Denny Chimes and Bryant-Denny Stadium are named after President Denny.

George Hutcheson "Mike" Denny, son of Rev. George and Charlotte Wright Denny, was born in Hanover County, Virginia, on December 3, 1870. He earned his BS and MA in classics from Hampden-Sydney College and a PhD from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 1896. He married Jane Strickler in 1899; the couple had four children: Frances M., Charlotte J., George H. Jr., and Margaret.

Poor health forced Denny to resign as president in 1936. He was succeeded by Richard Foster and moved back to Virginia, retaining the title of chancellor. When Foster died unexpectedly in 1941, Denny returned and briefly resumed the role of president. Even after that stint was finished, he maintained close ties with the University, returning frequently for homecoming and Alabama football games.

Denny died on April 2, 1955, of heart failure; he was buried in the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia.

Extent

0.05 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Overview

Letters from Denny to Professor J. M. Ward in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as a Christmas card, souvenir postcards, and a souvenir football program.

Provenance

Gift of Guy Hubbs, 2008

General

To provide faster access to our materials, this finding aid was published without formal and final review. Email us at archives@ua.edu if you find mistakes or have suggestions to make this finding aid more useful for your research.

Processing Information

Processed by Erin Schmidt, 2011; updated by Martha Bace, 2018
Title
Guide to the George H. Denny Papers
Status
Completed
Date
August 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0266
205.348.0513