Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Dowell J. Howard Papers, 1913-1957, Accession #11084, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was given to the Library by Marianna H. Parrish, Vienna, Virginia, on March 17, 1993, without restrictions.This collection was given to the Library by Marianna H. Parrish, Vienna, Virginia, on March 17, 1993.

Biographical/Historical Information

Dr. Dowell J. Howard (1897-1957), Virginia State Superintendent of Public Instruction (1949-1957), was born at Brookeville, Maryland, on August 11, 1897, to Henry and Mary Florence (Jones) Howard and was educated at Maryland State College (now University of Maryland) receiving his B.S. in 1917, and M.A. in 1926; He was also a student at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1926. Howard began his teaching career in vocational agriculture in 1919 at Boyce, Virginia, and served as district supervisor of agricultural education for Northern Virginia, 1925-1935, until promoted to assistant state supervisor of agricultural education in 1935 and state supervisor in 1942. He then worked for the Virginia State Department of Education as assistant state superintendent of public instruction from 1946-1949, acting state superintendent, 1949-1950, and state superintendent from 1950-1957. For a complete biographical sketch, consult Who Was Who in America , Volume 3, 1951-1960, pp. 420-421.

Scope and Content Information

The Dowell J. Howard papers consist chiefly of Howard's speeches and statements to service clubs, teacher's groups, professional educators, various conferences and workshops, building dedications, high school and college commencements, educational and social commissions, and other organizations. Also present are newsclippings, personal correspondence, Howard's educational records, papers pertaining to Howard's election as district governor in the Rotary International, vita sheets, and miscellaneous materials.

His correspondence files contain letters from the following: J. Lindsay Almond (1953 Nov 11; 1954 Feb 3; 1955 Feb 9); John S. Battle (1950 May 12; 1955 Feb 14); Harry F. Byrd, Sr. (1941 Nov 24; 1944 Jul 17); Harry F. Byrd, Jr. (1949 May 26; 1950 May 15; 1952 Jun 27); Virginius Dabney (1954 Dec 16); Colgate W. Darden, Jr. (1950 May 15); George P. Freeman (1949 Sep 1); Albertis Sydney Harrison, Jr. (1950 May 16); Edward R. Johnson (1946 May 9); J.W. Jones (1939 Mar 21); Dabney S. Lancaster (1949 Sep 1); W. Nelson Page (1954 Jan 8); A. Willis Robertson (1949 Jan 25; Feb 9-10); Thomas B. Stanley (1953 Aug 27; Nov 10; 1954 Feb 2 & 27; Mar 6); and William M. Tuck (1954 Feb 4). There are additional letters from various Virginia politicians which congratulate him on his appointment as State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1950.