urn:taro:utexas.cah.03197 A Guide to the Robinson (Frank J. and Dorothy Redus) Papers, 1970-1980 Original EAD encoding by Stefanie Lapka according to TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. October 2012 Finding aid written in English. Descriptive Summary Robinson, Frank James, 1902-1976 Robinson, Dorothy Redus, 1909-2005 Robinson, Frank J. and Dorothy Redus, Papers 1970-1980 Materials are written in English. 09-004; 2012-129 33233254 1 ft., 5 in. Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin Newspaper clippings, correspondence, flyers, certificates, photographs, and audiocassettes illuminate the lives of Frank J. and Dorothy Redus Robinson, their efforts in the civil rights movement in East Texas, and Frank Robinson's death. Biographical/Historical Note

African-American educator, school superintendent and community leader, Frank J. Robinson became active in the civil rights movement in his native East Texas during the late 1960s. His efforts were mainly in the areas of voter registration and redistricting to provide elective representation to African-Americans. His wife Dorothy Redus Robinson, a retired elementary and special education teacher and school principal, championed special education issues on local and state levels. Frank Robinson's death from a gunshot wound in 1976 was widely reported in the media throughout the state, causing much speculation, acrimony, and outrage. Although it was ruled a suicide, many people believed it was homicide.

 Scope and Contents

Newspaper clippings, correspondence, flyers, certificates, photographs, and audiocassettes illuminate the lives of Frank J. and Dorothy Redus Robinson, their efforts in the civil rights movement in East Texas, and Frank Robinson's death. Papers document racial tensions and civil rights activities in East Texas during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Of particular emphasis are the mysterious circumstances surrounding Frank Robinson's death, officially ruled suicide, but speculated by many to be murder. A small portion of the papers reflect local and state politics in Texas from the late 1960s to the 1980s.

 Arrangement

Organized into two chronological series, before and after death of Frank Robinson, October 13, 1976. Subseries relate to Frank Robinson and Dorothy Redus Robinson.

 Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Use of audio material by appointment only; please contact sound archivist for more information.

 Index Terms Subjects (Persons) Robinson, Dorothy Redus, 1909-2005--Archives Robinson, Frank James, 1902-1976--Archives Subjects Anderson County (Tex.)--History--20th century-- Sources Texas, East--History--20th century--Sources Texas, East--Race relations Afro-Americans civil rights workers--Texas, East Afro-American teachers and the community--Texas, East Civil rights movements--Texas, East Gerrymander--Texas--Anderson County Homicide investigations--Texas--Anderson County Voter registration--Texas--Anderson County Places Palestine (Tex.) Preferred Citation

Frank J. and Dorothy Redus Robinson Papers, 1931 [1970-1980] 1995, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

 Detailed Description of the Papers Before death of Frank J. Robinson, October 13, 1976: 3E327 Biographical information: Frank and Dorothy Robinson, copied from Palm Branches and Laurel Wreaths, 1976 Frank J. Robinson, 1995 Dorothy Robinson, undated 3S385 Papers related to Frank J. Robinson: Photograph, undated 3E327 College records, 1931, 1949-1962 Career as a teacher and school superintendent: Papers, 1931, 1949-1962, 1976 3S385 Photograph of Frank Robinson and Butler School faculty, [1955-1965?] 3E327 Position as county agent: Card, [1942?] 3S385 Photograph of Frank Robinson as Anderson County agent, 1939 3E327 Sunday school superintendent records, 1958, undated Haven Acre Real Estate Company card, undated Civil Rights activities: Political campaigns: Anderson County commissioner race materials, [1975?] [Palestine, Texas?] Council member race: Flyer, undated 2.325/V48 Posters, undated 3E327 Lawsuit against Anderson County: Correspondence and other papers, 1973-1976, undated Record proceedings, March 5, 1974 Anderson County Leadership Forum and East Texas Leadership Forum: Correspondence and other papers, 1973-1976 3S385 Photographs: Frank Robinson and Paul Ragsdale, undated Frank Robinson and East Texas Leadership Forum undated Frank J. Robinson presenting certificate to Vernon Jackson [1976?] (with caption) Vernon Jackson, [1976?] (with caption/statement) 3E327 Political and civic interests: Correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other papers, 1961, 1971-1976: 3S385 Photograph of Frank Robinson and Anderson County Voters' Committee, undated 2X80a Audio cassettes: "Mayor Jack Rogers' 'speech,' 1975 "City Council," undated "City Council Meetings," undated Negro Business and Professional Women's Club convention, 1967 Frank Robinson, talk with Oscar Burk of Frankston, Texas, undated 3E327 Papers related to Dorothy R. Robinson: Teaching career Special tribute program, 1974 3S385 Photographs: Dorothy Robinson, A.C. Preston, and Owena Hall Saunders, [1952?] Dorothy Robinson and Anderson County Teachers Association, 1952 Dorothy Robinson and her second grade class, 1974 3E327 Community leadership materials, 1974-1976 3E328 Palm Branches and Laurel Wreaths: A Book of Biographical Sketches compiled by the Palestine Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, 1976 Redus family history: Seed Time and Harvest 1966 2X80a Audio cassettes: Caleb Redus family saga, undated Redus Family History, undated After death of Frank J. Robinson, October 13, 1976: 3E328 Materials related to Robinson's death: Documents, 1976-1977 Newspaper clippings, 1976-1993 2,325/V48 Fort Worth Star-Telegram article, 1982 3E328 Efforts to solve the case: Dorothy Robinson's efforts, correspondence and other papers, 1976-1979 Community efforts, correspondence and other materials, 1976-1980 Dorothy Robinson's community works, printed material: Flyer advertising The Bell Rings at Four, 1978 National Association of Negro Business and Professional Womens' Clubs, conference program, 1982 Profiles of Faith: A History of Black Churches in Anderson County, Texas, 1989 A History of the Education of Black People of Anderson County, Texas, 1989 Column, Palestine Herald-Press, 1992-1995 "Shared Thoughts," compilation of her columns and columns about her, 1969-1994 Political and civic interests: Correspondence, newspaper and magazine clippings, 1976-1982 2.325/V48 Fort Worth Star-Telegram articles, 1982 2X80a Interview with Dorothy Robinson, June 7, 1995 Transcript of interview with Dorothy Robinson, June 7, 1995 Notes and addresses, 1977, undated 3S385 Unidentified photographs 2X80a Audio cassettes, general: "Vicksburg," undated "Dorothy Robinson," undated "Religious Service," undated "Jones' Service, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church," undated