Special Collections & University Archives
Search Special CollectionsHoursMonday - Friday 9 am - 4:30 pm LocationThe Special Collections is located on the east side of the Library on the 3rd floor. Take the stairs and turn left or take the elevator nearest the Circulation desk and turn right. Contact InformationPatricia W. & J. Douglas Perry Library |
The Papers of Francis CrenshawScope and Contents - Access - Contents Listing BiographyA member of the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors from 1968-1976, Francis N. Crenshaw was born in 1922 in Washington, D.C. After earning both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia, Francis Crenshaw has remained a resident of the Tidewater area for over twenty-five years. Beginning his law career in 1948 with Edwin J. Smith, a Norfolk lawyer, Francis Crenshaw joined the firm of Baird, White, and Lanning in 1951. After a year, Mr. Crenshaw became a partner of the firm and is currently the senior partner of the firm, its name having changed to Crenshaw, Ware, and Johnson. Francis Crenshaw is a member of several local, state, and national bar associations. Among the offices which he has held within these associations are President of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association and Chairman of the Virginia Bar Association. In addition to these professional associations, Francis Crenshaw has been active in Norfolk civic and service organizations. Serving on the Board of Directors of Norfolk's Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Crenshaw was also a member and former chairman of the Norfolk City School Board from 1956 to 1964. During his years on the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors, Crenshaw served on several committees of the Board and he was Rector from 1970 to 1976. Presently, Francis Crenshaw is the attorney for the Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Association, a position which he has held since 1951. The papers in the final series are those of Captain Russell S. Crenshaw, the father of Francis Crenshaw. Captain Crenshaw was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1886 and was appointed from Virginia to the US Naval Academy entering the class of 1907. He first served for five years on the Battleship VIRGINIA, all of his service being in the gunnery department. He also served as Navigator of the CELTIC, a fleet supply ship, and later as Radio Officer of the Panama Canal Zone. During most of World War I, Captain Crenshaw was located in Washington in convoy and routing duty, for which he received the US Army Distinguished Service Medal and a Navy letter of commendation. Subsequent assignments included Gunnery Officer of the USS TENNESSEE, Executive Officer of the USS AUGUSTA and Commander of the PENSACOLA. Ashore, he served as Commander of the Naval Mine Depot at Yorktown, Virginia and as Assistant Commandant, Fifth Naval District, Norfolk, Virginia. Having retired from this position and active duty in 1946, Captain Crenshaw died in1975. Scope and ContentsThe Papers of Francis N. Crenshaw, dated 1927-1977, document the careers of the donor, Francis Crenshaw and his father, Captain Russell S. Crenshaw. Series I is principally concerned with Crenshaw’s service as a member of the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors from 1968-1976, and as Rector of the Board from 1970-1976. The papers, arranged alphabetically and chronologically, include correspondence and records of his service on the board. Of special interest are the numerous papers which deal with Crenshaw's role as Rector. Series II Papers related to Captain Russell Crenshaw, are chiefly concerned with naval orders issued him during World War II. Of some note is a copy of a document marked secret which contains a detailed account of the military situation in early 1943. AccessCollection is open to researchers without restrictions. ProvenanceFrancis N. Crenshaw Size3 Hollinger Document Cases. Collection NumberRG 1-1B1 Contents ListingSeries I Francis N. Crenshaw Box 1 Folder 1 AAUP Box 2 Folder 5 Miscellaneous ODU, March 1966-April 1969 Box 3 Folder 1 Oceanography, September 1966-April 1976 Series II: Captain Russell S. Crenshaw Folder 1 "Estimate of the Situation, February 14, 1943." Naval 'Secret' Document
Revised: 2/20/2012 |