Register of the Lawson (F. Melvyn) Papers, 1924-1994

Processed by Don Walker; machine-readable finding aid created by Don Walker

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University Library, University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA 95211

Phone: (209) 946-2404

Fax: (209) 946-2810

URL: http://www.pacific.edu/Library/Find/Holt-Atherton-Special-Collections.html

Register of the Lawson (F. Melvyn) Papers, 1924-1994

Collection number: Mss240

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University Library

University of the Pacific

Contact Information

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University Library, University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2404
Fax: (209) 946-2810
URL: http://www.pacific.edu/Library/Find/Holt-Atherton-Special-Collections.html

Processed by:: Don Walker
Date Completed:: December 1998
Encoded by:: Don Walker

Descriptive Summary

Title: Lawson (F. Melvyn) Papers,

Date (inclusive): 1924-1994

Collection number: Mss240

Creator: Floyd Melvyn Lawson

Extent: 6 linear ft.

Repository: University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

Stockton, CA 95211

Shelf location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Lawson (F. Melvyn) Papers, Mss240, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

Access Points

personal name

Lawson, Floyd Melvyn (1907-1998)

Lawson, Verna K.

corporate name

Rotary International (Sacramento, Calif.)

subject

Schools -California -Sacramento

World War, 1939-1945 -Campaigns -New Guinea

School administrators -California -Sacramento

Poets -California -Sacramento

Composers -California -Sacramento

Biography

"Mel" Lawson (1907-1998) was born in Sacramento, California and educated at the College of Pacific (B.A. 1929; M.A., 1935). From 1930, Lawson taught at Sacramento High School, ultimately becoming Principal of the school (1941). During World War II he was a pre-flight instructor in the U.S. Navy, serving for three years--chiefly in the South Pacific--and attaining the rank of lieutenant. After the War Lawson returned to Sacramento where he continued his career as a secondary school administrator. In 1948 he was appointed Deputy Superintendent, and from 1960 until his retirement (1968), Lawson was Superintendent of the Sacramento City Schools. In this capacity, Lawson was instrumental in accomplishing the racial integration of the Sacramento Schools. Mel Lawson was active in several civic and fraternal organizations, including: the Sacramento Rotary Club; the Ben Ali Shrine Temple; the Sacramento Community Forum; the Sacramento Christmas Seal Association; and, the United Crusade's educational division. He was also president of the Camellia Festival and a member of the board of directors of the Crocker Art Museum and of KVIE -Channel Six, Public Television.

Lawson has authored books and articles on a variety of topics. His works include A Saga of Service, the history of Sacramento's Rotary Club. Together with his wife, Lawson co-authored a study guide used in the Sacramento public schools history program. He was also an amateur poet and song writer.

Scope and Content

The Lawson Papers consist of biographical material; professional writings and correspondence; original poetry and music; photographs and memorabilia relating to the life and career of Sacramento educator, F. Melvin Lawson (1907-1998).

BOX 1: MEL LAWSON: THE EARLY YEARS

1.1-"F. Melvyn Lawson" (1989) [typescript autobiography]

1.2-"Mel Lawson: His Early Years to 1959" [scrapbook]

1.3-Mel Lawson. Course of Study Guidebook--Sacramento Senior High School Bulletin no. 3 (1939)

1.4-World War II Scrapbook [forest green w/ gilt lettering]

1.5-World War II Notebook

BOX 2: MEL LAWSON MUSICAL & DRAMATIC ACTIVITIES

2.1-"Mel Lawson, 1960-65" [scrapbook]

2.2-Music Scrapbook

2.3-Lawson Drama Award file

2.4-Lawson music manuscripts

BOX 3 : MEL LAWSON: PUBLISHED WRITINGS & MUSIC

3.1-"Needed: science to survive---the humanities to live," California Social Science Review 5:2 (Feb 1966)

3.2-Scattered Leaves (1981) [poetry]

3.3-My Gipsy Mind (1975) [poetry]

3.4-World Pictures (1976) [poetry]

3.5-Selected Parables in Verse (1977) [poetry]

3.6-"Fantasy House," In a Nutshell 2:4 (Autumn 1976) [poetry]

3.7-Benjamin Franklin: The Curious Philosopher, An Address (1974)

3.8-"The Difference," In a Nutshell 1:1 (Winter 1975) [poetry]

3.9-A Saga of Service: 1913-1985. Sacramento, 1986

3.10-"The Tanka; a Japanese verse form," 1993

3.11-"Cinquain Magic," 1994; "Limericks by Lawson" [poetry]

3.12-"Go UOP" and "Our Team is Ready" (1978) [music; audiotape]

3.13-October Roses: A Collection of Love Songs (1982) [music]

3.14-Sugar Talk and Other Singables (1975) [music]

3.15-"Camellia girl" (1972) [official song of Sacramento Camellia Festival]

3.16-Binder of articles by FML, 1935-1970 [chiefly on education]

BOX 4: MEL LAWSON IN WORLD WAR II; SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR IN SACRAMENTO

4.1-U.S. Navy Papers

4.2-Snapshots taken by FML & friends in New Guinea during WW II

4.3-School Administrator: Correspondence

4.4-School Administrator: Sacramento school papers

4.5-Sacramento City Public School News (1961-67)

4.6-Superintendent's News Bulletin (1967-68)

4.7-Mel Lawson & Verna K. Lawson Study Guide for Our America: Today & Yesterday (1940)

4.8-"My Friend the Wind" in Maurice Poe. Rutabaga Ruby & Friends (1989)

4.9-"The Shepherd who Turned Back" (1971)

4.10-School Administrator: Contract, certificates, awards, etc.

4.11-The Pulse; Rotary Club of Sacramento (1948-49)

4.12-Misc. clippings

BOX 5--SCRAPBOOKS, 1924-

5.1-"The Ideal Scrapbook" (1924-39) [black w/ gilt lettering]

5.2-"Scrapbook" (1932-45) [false wood covers]

5.3-"Scrapbook" (1946-52) [pale ochre w/ dutch children on cover]

5.4-"Scrapbook"

5.5-Mrs. Mel Lawson's Scrapbook [chiefly American Assn. University Women]

5.6-Mrs. Mel Lawson's M.A. thesis [Classics]

5.7-Floyd Melvyn Lawson. "A History of the U.S. Air Mail Service," 1935 [M.A. thesis]

5.8-Lawson's testimonial retirement dinner binder, 1968

BOX 6--CORRESPONDENCE & MEMORABILIA

6.1-FML letters to Mrs. FML, written in Pacific during WWII

6.2-Misc. correspondence

6.3-Biography; clippings

6.4-Misc. certificates & diplomas

6.5-Masonic materials

6.6-Misc. photos [chiefly b & w 8 x 10s]

6.7-Misc. photos [incl. COP, 1920s & portrait w/ Ronald Reagan]

6.8- Misc. memorabilia [incl. FML student report cards; adult awards; clippings]