Interview with Frank R. Cannon, Jr., April 7, 1997

Interview Summary

Frank Robert Cannon, Jr. was born in Lexington, Kentucky February 10, 1937. He was one of the first African American students to attend the University of Kentucky. He discusses his parents and their occupations, as well as his siblings. Cannon also talks about living in Nicholasville until he went into the army in 1960, and when he retired in 1980 he came back to live there. He describes the racial climate in Lexington and states that even though there were segregated facilities, it was not a town of racial tension.

Cannon recounts his high school and grade school days; he was class valedictorian but there were only six or seven in his graduating class. He then elaborates on his transition from high school to the University of Kentucky. He did not think that his high school prepared him for college. He recalls that chemistry and mathematics were especially challenging for him as an electrical engineering major. Cannon discusses his social life at UK and states that he knows his brother and sister had a better social environment at Kentucky State University. Cannon also describes certain professors who graded African American students unfairly. He concludes the interview by talking about his children, all of whom are college graduates.

Interview Keyword

African American families Childhood Teachers--Kentucky Teaching United States. Army--Military life African American teachers. African Americans--Employment.

Interview LC Subject

Cannon, Frank R. (Frank Robert), Jr., 1937- Cannon, Frank R. (Frank Robert), Jr., 1937- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History African Americans--Conduct of life African Americans--Education African Americans--Social conditions Lexington (Ky.) Nicholasville (Ky.) Segregation in education--Kentucky African Americans--Segregation Discrimination in education Race discrimination Race relations--Kentucky College students--Attitudes College students--Social conditions Universities and colleges--Faculty African American college students--Social conditions African Americans--Education (Higher) Integration African Americans--Social life and customs Racism

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.