Charlotte Capers (June 28, 1913 − December 23, 1996) was director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) from 1955 to 1969 and was the first woman to become the head of a state agency in Mississippi.[2] Her tenure in various staff positions at MDAH spanned 45 years (1938–1983).[3]
Charlotte Capers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | June 28, 1913[1] Columbia, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | December 23, 1996 (aged 83) Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Archivist, historian and author |
| Parent(s) | Walter B. Capers Louise Woldridge Capers |
Biography
editCharlotte Capers was born in Columbia, Tennessee, to Walter B. Capers and Louise Woldridge Capers.[1]
Education and career
editWith a goal of becoming a journalist, Capers attended the University of Colorado and Millsaps College, receiving a BA degree in English from the University of Mississippi in 1934.[1][4]
In 1938, Capers joined the staff of MDAH as a stenographer. In 1943, when MDAH Director, William D. McCain was called to active duty in WWII,[5] Capers was promoted from her position as research and editorial assistant to Acting Director.[3] She served in that position until McCain returned from military service in 1945. In 1955, Capers was elected MDAH Director by the Board of Trustees.[3] Accomplishments during her tenure as Director included:[6]
- Planned and oversaw restoration of the Old Mississippi State Capitol.
- The State Historical Museum was organized and housed in the Old State Capitol.
- Plans were finalized and funding was secured for construction of a new Archives and History Building.
In 1969, Capers stepped down as MDAH Director and moved into a subordinate position as director of information and education at MDAH.[6] In 1972, she was appointed principal executive for restoration of the Governor's Mansion.[7] Charlotte Capers retired from MDAH on April 1, 1983.[8]
Journalism credits
edit- Editor-in-chief (1956–69) for the Journal of Mississippi History[6]
- Author of The Capers Papers – a collection of humorous essays originally published in Jackson, Mississippi newspapers[9]
- Authored 99 book reviews for The New York Times Book Review[6]
Legacy and death
editIn 1983, the Mississippi Legislature authorized MDAH Board of Trustees to rename the Archives and History Building as the Charlotte Capers Building[10] in honor of her 45 years of dedicated service to MDAH.[8] Charlotte Capers died December 23, 1996, and was interred at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi.
References
edit- ^ a b c Lloyd, James B., ed. (1981). Lives of Mississippi Authors, 1817-1967. Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 73. ISBN 9781617034183.
- ^ "A Sense of Place: Women in Mississippi (Charlotte Capers)". mdah.ms.gov. March 22, 2011. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
- ^ a b c Galloway, Patricia (May 2000). "Mississippi Electronic Records Initiative: A case study in state government electronic records (Charlotte Capers: Buildings and programs, 1955-69)" (PDF). ischool.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
- ^ Marx, Mary Frances (July 10, 2017). "Charlotte Capers: (1913–1996) Archivist and Author". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
- ^ Pitts, Jim (February 7, 2014). "Mississippi's Monuments Man: William D. McCain". Retrieved 2019-03-09.
- ^ a b c d "Charlotte Capers, author from Jackson, Mississippi". www.mswritersandmusicians.com. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
- ^ Lohrenz, Mary (July 11, 2017). "Governor's Mansion". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
- ^ a b Holmes, H.T., ed. (May 1983). "Charlotte Capers Retires from Department of Archives and History". The Primary Source: A Quarterly Publication of the Society of Mississippi Archivists. 5 (2): 6 – via aquila.usm.edu.
- ^ Capers, Charlotte (1992). The Capers Papers. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9780878056019.
- ^ "Charlotte Capers Building". Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
External links
edit- "Charlotte Capers". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2019-03-06.