Interview with W. Russell Cox, January 15, 1976

Interview Summary

In this interview, Russell discusses a few of his experiences at the University of Kentucky during the 1930's. He recalls his membership in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) at the University of Kentucky. Cox left law school to work in Washington, D. C. He mentions that Sarah Blanding, Dean of Women, was a good professor. Cox talks about the role of women on campus at the time, and said he did not feel they were discriminated against any more or less than today. He notes that "if they had the training, the qualifications, and the wherewithal, they rose to the top". He talks about various political figures, including Governor A. B. "Happy" Chandler. He says most students were in awe of Dr. Frank L. McVey, even though "he was a very human type of person". He talks about professors and their politics, and that they were not "publicly" reprimanded or "ousted" because of their views, and notes that may have happened after Pearl Harbor in 1941. Cox said that the athletics program was not overemphasized while he was there. He discusses the academic achievements of professors, and now sees not only an emphasis on intellectual growth, but better trained students. He notes that today, the field of political science is much wider because of the speed of communication and travel.

Interview LC Subject

Cox, W. Russell Cox, W. Russell--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

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