Robert R. Martin Papers, 1923-1997 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Alisha Ashby

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Collection Overview

Title: Robert R. Martin Papers, 1923-1997

Primary Creator: Martin, Robert Richard (1910-1997)

Extent: 14.77 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 05/06/1980. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Eastern Kentucky University, Education, Primary--Kentucky, Education, Rural--Kentucky, Education, Secondary--Kentucky., Education--Kentucky., Health., Kentucky--Politics and government., Labor laws and legislation., Madison County (Ky.), Pattie A. Clay Infirmary.

Languages: English

Abstract

This collection contains the personal and professional papers belonging to Robert R. Martin. Martin is popularly known as former President of Eastern Kentucky University, but also served as an educator, Superintendent of Education, and a Senator. This collection contains correspondence, legislative papers, photographs, scrapbooks, campaign materials, publications, and materials documenting his success throughout his career.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection contains the personal and professional papers belonging to Robert R. Martin. Martin is popularly known as former President of Eastern Kentucky University, but also served as an educator, Superintendent of Education, and a Senator. In all of his work, Martin was dedicated to pursuing the improvement of education in all levels across the state. This collection contains correspondence, legislative papers, photographs, scrapbooks, campaign materials, publications, and materials documenting his success throughout his career. The materials in this collection all emphasize Martin's intense passion for education across the state as well as his interest in history.

Researchers looking for papers related to Martin's service at Eastern should instead look at Martin's President Office Records. There are some highlights of Martin's accomplishments at Eastern in this collection, but most everything else relates to his time as senator. There is also some content related to his time as an educator, his time with the Department of Education, and his accomplishments with his social clubs/organizations.

Biographical Note

Robert R. Martin was born December 27, 1910, in Lincoln County, Kentucky. He attended two one-room school houses in Lincoln County before attending Stanford for grade school and highschool where he graduated in 1930. While attending Eastern, Martin worked raising tobacco and working in the dorms. After graduating Eastern in 1934, Martin began his career in education teaching at Sardis High in Mason County, Kentucky. In 1938, he became principal at Orangeburg High School until 1942, when he joined the Army and served as a weather forecaster and technical sergeant until 1946. Upon discharge, Martin returned to Mason County to serve as principal of Woodleigh Junior High until the summer of 1947, when he moved to Beattyville as Lee County High School principal. In 1948, Martin joined the Department of Education as an auditor and in 1951, became the department's finance director. During this time, Martin obtained a master's degree at the University of Kentucky (1940) and his Doctorate in Education at Columbia University (1951). Dr. Martin won election for State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1955 and was appointed Commissioner of Finance in 1959 by Governor Bert T. Combs, a position he held through 1960. In July of 1960, Martin took office as the sixth president of Eastern Kentucky State College. After a successful sixteen years serving the institution, Martin stepped down in 1976. His leave from public service was short-lived, however, as he was elected to represent the Madison-Garrard-Mercer district in the state Senate. He served in the state Senate until the 1981-82 session. During this time, Martin continuously upheld a constant desire to improve and dedicate to education across the state. In addition to his roles in public service, Martin was also a member of many social organizations such as the Masons, Shriners, and Rotary Clubs. His interest in history led him to be involved with the Kentucky Historical Society, the Lexington Civil War Roundtable, and the Fort Boonesborough State Park Association. These memberships reflected the larger social involvement that Martin had in the Richmond area. Martin was married to Anne Hoge (later Anne Martin) and held a leadership role at the First Presbyterian Church. He remained in Richmond until his passing in 1997. He is buried at the Richmond Cemetery.

Subject/Index Terms

Eastern Kentucky University
Education, Primary--Kentucky
Education, Rural--Kentucky
Education, Secondary--Kentucky.
Education--Kentucky.
Health.
Kentucky--Politics and government.
Labor laws and legislation.
Madison County (Ky.)
Pattie A. Clay Infirmary.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Accruals:

1980-015

1982-014

1983-005

1983-029

1986-015

1986-034

1997-005

2004-004

Acquisition Source: Martin, Robert R.

Related Materials: Researchers looking for papers related to Martin's service at Eastern should instead look at Martin's President Office Records. For more information please see https://ekufindingaids.libraryhost.com/?p=collections/controlcard&id=42&q=martin.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence Series],
[Series 2: Invitations and Events Series],
[Series 3: Legislative Series],
[Series 4: Photographs],
[Series 5: Publications],
[Series 6: Speeches],
[Series 7: Superintendent of Public Instruction],
[Series 8: Tributes and Congratulations],
[Series 9: Miscellaneous],
[Series 10: Scrapbooks],
[Series 11: Oversized Certificates],
[Series 12: Memorabilia],
[All]

Series 8: Tributes and Congratulations

Box 19

Barcode: 31234013926041

Folder 8: Kentuckian of the Year, 1964: Contains biographical information about Martin, letters from John L. Vickers asking for support in nominating Martin for Kentuckian of the Year, formal nomination letters, and letters from supporters for Martin
Folder 9: Kentuckian of the Year, 1964 - 1965: Contains a list of individuals to call to urge them to support Martin's nomination for Kentuckian of the Year, letters from John L. Vickers asking for support in nominating Martin, thanks from Vickers to supporters after a successful nomination for Martin, and letters of thanks to editors for accepting Martin's nomination
Folder 10: Kentucky Press Association Award, 1964: Bound congratulations and letters written to Martin regarding his honor of being awarded Kentuckian of the Year.
Folder 11: Thank You/Congratulations, 1960: Letters from Robert R. Martin thanking people for congratulating him on EKU Presidency. Many of the thank you letters are attached to the congratulatory letters and notes

Box 20

Barcode: 31234013926058

Folder 1: Inaugural Letters, 1960: A bound book containing congratulation certificates, well wishes in response to inauguration invitations, with a program for the inauguration in the back of the book
Folder 2: Inaugural Letters, 1960: Unbound: continued congratulations regarding Martin's inauguration, some letters from shortly after the inauguration complimenting it, and some responses from Martin to these letters
Folder 3: Inaugural Letters, 1960 - 1961: Unbound: continued congratulations regarding Martin's inauguration, some letters from shortly after the inauguration complimenting it, and some responses from Martin to these letters
Folder 4: Inaugural Guest Book, 1960: Guestbook for the inauguration of Martin as President of EKU.

Box 21

Barcode: 31234013926066

Folder 1: Congratulatory Letters, 1956 - 1976: A bound book containing congratulation letters over the years from family, friends, and admirers. Regards Martin's election as Commissioner of Finance for Kentucky, as well as Martin's appointment as President of Eastern
Folder 2: Robert R. Martin Retirement, 1976: A bound book containing letters regarding Martin's retirement from Eastern, thanking him for his years of service and acknowledging his accomplishments as President of the university

Box 22

Barcode: 31234013926074

Folder 1: Tribute Dinner Script, 1976: Attached script for the televised version of Martin's tribute
Folder 2: Tribute Addresses, 1976: Bound addresses from the Robert R. Martin tribute dinner help September 16, 1976 in the Keen Johnson Building. Includes program and introduction by Donald Feltner: "The Birth and Maturation of a University"