Spessard Lindsey Holland Papers

Biographical Note:
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 U.S. 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.

Scope and Content:
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 phonographs, presentations, memberships, Holland Family papers and correspondence, as well as over 170 books that belonged to the Hollands.

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