Dublin Core
Title
Dr. Eva Golson-Profile
Subject
Dr. Eva Golson's biography sketch, faculty photos, and personal writing
Creator
University of Montevallo English Department
Carmichael Library Archives
Carmichael Library Archives
Source
Carmichael Library Archives
Date
1905-1985
Format
Images, PDF files, text
Type
Image, PDF files, text
Person Item Type Metadata
Birth Date
January 27, 1905
Birthplace
Prattville, Alabama
Death Date
April 4, 1985
Occupation
Professor
Biographical Text
A native of Prattville, Alabama, Dr. Eva Olivia Golson was one of three children. She received her A.B. from Huntington College in 1923, then the Woman’s College of Alabama. She was also the first woman to receive a PhD in English from the University of Chicago, and served as a professor at the University of Montevallo for 45 years. Her dissertation was titled “The Spelling System of the Glasgow Ms of The Canterbury Tales”. While at Montevallo, she helped spearhead the Honor’s Program, which named the senior seminar after her once she retired. She was also the faculty member to second the motion made by Dr. Hallie Farmer on October 13, 1955 to make Alabama College coeducational, a move that ended the era of an all woman’s college and ushered it into a new existence. (Alabama College 1896-1969 Pg 119)
She is described by Norman McMillan, former chair of the English department, as having “a style all her own, and a splendid style to be sure” and that her writing was full of “quintessential Golsoniana—the wit, the warmth, the irony, the style.” (April 4, 1985) Dr. Golson had a passion for horticulture, often discussing the flowers in bloom on campus in her newsletters. She was responsible for weekly newsletters that she typed and edited, discussing campus culture, the comings and goings of English faculty, the flora of the campus, and other notable happenings. They serve as vignettes into Montevallo’s everyday past, allowing glimpses into the social and mechanical happenings of the department and campus.
She is described by Norman McMillan, former chair of the English department, as having “a style all her own, and a splendid style to be sure” and that her writing was full of “quintessential Golsoniana—the wit, the warmth, the irony, the style.” (April 4, 1985) Dr. Golson had a passion for horticulture, often discussing the flowers in bloom on campus in her newsletters. She was responsible for weekly newsletters that she typed and edited, discussing campus culture, the comings and goings of English faculty, the flora of the campus, and other notable happenings. They serve as vignettes into Montevallo’s everyday past, allowing glimpses into the social and mechanical happenings of the department and campus.
Bibliography
Alabama College 1896-1969
Carmichael Library Archives
Carmichael Library Archives