David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 1

Ruffin - Birth Certificate, Military Records, Transcripts and Passports
- This file contains copies of various public records relating to Dr. Ruffin and his life.


Chamber of Commerce
- This file contains information re: Ruffin's activities with the Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce. [1992]


Ruffin Cup (1)
- This file contains correspondence and other information re: the Ruffin Cup, an award established by Ruffin at GSU. [1982-1995]


Ruffin Cup (2)
- This file contains correspondence and other information re: the Ruffin Cup, an award established by Ruffin at GSU. [1982-1995]


Honor Wall
- This file contains correspondence and other information re: the honoraria wall at GSU. Ruffin was active in establishing the wall. [1995]


Speeches (1)
- This file contains drafts and notes for speeches given by Ruffin.


Speeches (2)
- This file contains drafts and notes for speeches given by Ruffin.


Maine Speech
- This file contains drafts of various materials, including one titled "Maine Speech" by E. B. White.


"Hang in There" - Play
- This file contains drafts of a one-act play written by Ruffin - Hang in There.


"The Queen's Gambit" - Play
- This file contains drafts of and information about a play written by Ruffin - The Queen's Gambit.


"Someday One Woman" - Novel
- This file contains a rough draft of a novel written by Ruffin - Someday One Woman. (Originally, each chapter was in a separate report cover.)


Miscellaneous Work (1)
- This file contains drafts of various writings of Ruffin's; most are untitled.


Miscellaneous Work (2)
- This file contains drafts of various writings of Ruffin's; most are untitled.




Not in Folders

1) typed manuscript bound in black binder, manuscript begins on page 352

2) annual - The Lynx 1940, from Southwestern at Memphis (Ruffin was a freshman there at the time)

3) annual - The Lynx 1941, from Southwestern at Memphis (Ruffin was a sophomore there at the time)

4) annual - The Trojan 1942, from Little Rock Junior College (Dr. Ruffin's future wife, Meralen Reed, was a freshman there at the time)

5) booklet - Class of 1939, Byers-Hall High School, 45th Reunion

6) certificate of appreciation in presentation binder, from Southern Methodist University Leadership Conference, 1959

7) Guest Book from Dr. Ruffin's retirement reception at the GSC Department of English [6-7-81]





David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 2

1) unlabeled folder - contains miscellaneous writings by Ruffin, and copies of other authors' work, with notes by Ruffin

2) My Scrapbook - scrapbook documenting Ruffin's graduation from Byers Hall High School [1939], bound in handmade wooded three-ring binder

3) report cover containing list of addresses and phone numbers of various businesses

4) paper - The Dual Theme of Realism and Idealism in Auden's "Lay Your Sleeping Head . . ." by Meralen Sloan (later Ruffin) [Summer 1968]

5) plaque naming Ruffin 's Professor of the Year 1972-1973.

6) plastercast portrait of E. H. Duncan, done by Ruffin [1951]

7) mounted announcement of Ruffin's wedding to Meralen Reed Sloan [1968]

Note: The next eight items are all written by David Ruffin.

8) bound volume containing miscellaneous short works

9) bound volume - White Wine

10) The Froilod

11) The Pencil

12) untitled, headed "Saturday, October 5, 1946"

13) untitled, deals with Oscar Wilde and ancient art

14) Commemorating Your 10th Birthday Sept. 23, 1982 - Sept. 27, 1982

15) four Memo Books containing miscellaneous writings

16) oriental box containing four stone stamps (writing looks like kanji)

17) two boxes - one containing small porcelain jar of rouge, one containing rouge applicator




David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 3

1) eight 11"x14" photographs of Dr. Ruffin

2) 11"x14" photograph of unidentified young woman, in sleeve from Bachrach Portrait Photographers

3) six framed photographs of varying size, either of Ruffin or probably his family

4) framed written piece - "Just Plain Vanilla" by David A. Ruffin

5) ten photographs in sleeves of some sort - unidentified, look like family photos

6) four unidentified 8"x10" photographs - one of family, two of lone women, 1 of unidentified couple

7) nine 8"x10" photographs of Dr. Ruffin

8) two 8"x10" photographs of artwork

9) 7"x9" photograph of people sitting at banquet table

10) 6½"x8½" photograph of two couples at dinner

11) 6"x8½" photograph of religious statue

12) 7"x11" photograph of young woman (one 11" side is torn - maybe half of an 11"x14" photograph?)

13) sketch of Dr. Fielding Russell, done by Ruffin for Fielding Russell Symposium, May 1975

14) 5"x7" photograph of young woman

15) 5"x7" photograph of Dr. Ruffin riding a donkey

16) 4"x7" booklet, photo of a dog and caption on each page, titled From Baden, with Puppy Love

17) envelope containing pages from one of Ruffin's journals

18) 6"x9" notebook containing story (essay?) By Ruffin, headed "Mobile, Alabama, July 10, 1943"

19) 4½"x11" photograph album with pictures of a house and furnishings

20) two Memo Books containing miscellaneous writings

21) card to "Deeda and One"

22) postcard to "Deeda" (addressee of postcard given as: Mrs. Freeman W. Buford, 6901 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas)

23) envelope containing black-and-white photographs, look like old family photos

24) envelope containing used and unused postcards

25) two envelopes containing photographs which were originally in a big brown envelope

26) envelope containing cards and notes to Ruffin from others

27) envelopes containing photographs which originally were in a cigar box

28) cigar box originally holding photographs in previous number

29) envelope containing photographs which were loose in box

30) envelope containing loose photographic negatives

31) envelope containing souvenirs from Ruffin's travels





David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 4

1) one green photograph album, containing pictures and information from a trip to Arizona and the Southwest

2) two gray photograph albums, containing pictures and information from a trip to Egypt





David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 5

1) folder containing:
- miscellaneous photographs
- two unused postcards
- miscellaneous correspondence
- obituary of Rev. Francis Bland Tucker [1-1-84]
- minutes of Trinity Episcopal Mission Council meeting [2-12-78]
- miscellaneous writings
- Savannah Country Day School Newsletter: Special Anniversary Edition [4/80]


2) Harvey, Paul, ed. The Oxford Companion to English Literature. 3rd edition. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1946.

3) two books - Burning Desires, Chapple and Talbot, Doubleday on spine, inside hollowed out for storing things

4) blank book with picture of angel on cover, "Meralen Ruffin" given as owner

5) Kipling, Rudyard. Recessional and Other Poems. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. (Inscription on front leaf dated "Dec. 25, 1902")

6) book of pullout painting reproductions - Illustrazioni colori Galleria Uffizi

7) The Jerusalem Bible. Reader's Edition. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., with inscription: "For David with love from Meralen, Val. Day - 1986" & handwritten notes

8) envelope containing bookmarks found in books given to the library by Dr. Ruffin

9) two envelopes containing photographs found in books given to the library by Dr. Ruffin

10) envelope containing postcards found in books given to the library by Dr. Ruffin

11) envelope containing blank stationery from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York

12) three plastic book covers

13) green embroidery silk

14) block of eight 25¢ stamps - subject is headed "June 21, 1788 New Hampshire"





David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 6



1) two burgundy photograph albums, containing pictures and information from a trip to western Europe - France and Great Britain

2) brown photograph album containing pictures and information from a trip to Italy

3) red photograph album containing pictures and information from a tour of Europe - England, Switzerland, Austria, Italy

Note: The next twenty items are all calendars, containing information re: Ruffin's activities that year. They are listed by title or subject, and the year is given in brackets at the end.

4) works of Ansel Adams [1987]

5) Oriental artwork [1988]

6) Beautiful Gardens [1993]

7) Faraway Places [1986]

8) Wonders of the World [1983]

9) Gallery '80

10) Gallery '81

11) Gallery '82

12) Legends of the Flowers [1977]

13) American Watercolors [1990]

14) Nature's Almanac [1991]

15) Sierra Club Wilderness Calendar [1989]

16) Seasons of Joy [1975]

17) Victorian Treasures [1996]

18) works of Vincent Van Gogh [1992]

19) Reflections [1984]

20) 1985 engagement calendar

21) 1976 engagement calendar

22) Description de l'Egypt [1978]

23) calendar from Vanderbilt University [1979]

24) notes - Amada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth, the subject of one of his needlepoint projects

25) four unframed pieces of needlepoint, one unfinished







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 7

Note: The remaining boxes all contain packets of photographs taken by Dr. Ruffin. Fortunately, he labeled most of the original packets so we have some idea of the subjects of each set. For each box, I will list the subjects of the packets as Dr. Ruffin gave them. Please excuse any misspellings; I had trouble reading his handwriting.

1) Ephesus

2) David's Garden Party

3) Switzerland

4) Boulder and Denver - Storm [1994]

5) Coggins Point

6) Rome - Coliseum

7) Pompeii

8) Istanbul

9) Balloon Ride [1992]

10) Balloon Ride [1992]

11) Madrid, El Escorial, Toledo [1992]

12) Cuenca, Valencia [1992]

13) Cordoba, Madrid, Burges [1992]

14) Madrid, Easter in Cuenca [1992]

15) Valencia [1992]

16) Inside Cathedral at Burges [1992]

17) Seville, Expo, Feria [1992]

18) Seville [1992]

19) Barcelona, Costa Brava [1992]

20) Santiago [1992]

21) Balloon Breakfast, Figueres/Emparies, Gerona? [1992]

22) Barcelona, Miro/Gauchi [1992]

23) unlabeled roll [1992]

24) Southern Italy (prints only)

25) Highland (negatives only) [1991]







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 8

1) Greece [1990]

2) Turkey [1990]

3) Cappadosia [1990]

4) Istanbul/Parthenon [1990]

5) Istanbul Rugs [1990]

6) Ephesus [1990]

7) Norway, Russia

8) Meralen's Birthday - Savannah

9) Norway, Russia

10) Norway, Russia

11) Norway, Russia

12) Norway, Russia - Last Trip

13) Norway, Russia - Last Trip

14) Norway, Russia - Last Trip

15) Copenhagen, Norway, Russia

16) Norway, Russia (prints only)

17) Georgia mountains? N. C.?

18) New York - Christmas

19) Switzerland (prints only)

20) Beechwood (negatives only)

21) West Virginia (prints only)

22) Mont Helena

23) Afton Villa

24) Louisiana Reunion and Elmwood (prints only)

25) Gingerbread landscape, George and Bobby, London, Edinburgh







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 9

1) Memphis

2) Santa Fe, Taos

3) Richmond

4) Snow - Statesboro

5) Spring Bloom - Statesboro

6) Virginia

7) New York - Christmas

8) Norway, Russia

9) Mont Helena

10) Arkansas mountains, the Peabody, Elmwood, Memphis

11) Coggins, Shellbanks, etc.

12) Marlbourne - Second trip

13) E. R. Portrait

14) Jaipur [1996]

15) Jaipur [1996]

16) End of trip [1996]

17) End of trip [1996]

18) End of trip [1996]

19) Return to Kathmandu [1996]

20) Tharu Village [1996]

21) Tiger Tops [1996]

22) Dehli, Kathmandu [1996]

23) Short - Cremation [1996]

24) Benares, Sanrath, Kajuraho [1996]

25) Benares, Sanrath, Kajuraho [1996]







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 10

1) Taj Mahal [1996]

2) Taj Mahal [1996]

3) Chechaouen thru Fez [1993]

4) Meknes [1993]

5) End of Fez thru Volubia [1993]

6) Guiliu/Hong Kong (prints only) [1995]

7) Shanghai/Suchow (prints only) [1995]

8) Gorges/Yangtze Dock [1995]

9) Beijing (prints only) [1995]

10) End cruise, ar. Shanghai (prints only) [1995]

11) Xiau [1995]

12) Chongquing/Gorges [1995]

13) Hong Kong, Bangkok [1995]

14) B. Tetauen [1993]

15) Enfoud [1993]

16) Risanni [1993]

17) Zagara [1993]

18) Taraudaut [1993]

19) End of trip [1993]

20) Rabat thru Tangier [1993]

21) A. Tetauen [1993]

22) End Bali (prints only) [1995]

23) Bangkok (prints only) [1995]

24) Bali (prints only) [1995]

25) Through Salt Mine (prints only) [1994]







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 11

1) To High Tatras [1994]

2) The Grand Pupp Marienbad [1994]

3) To Auschwitz [1994]

4) Jewish Cemetery [1994]

5) Through Day 7 [1994]

6) Continued through Sea Wall [1994]

7) End of cruise to Hoorne and Tulip Garden [1994]

Note: The following four envelopes (nos. 8-11) are from packets which had no markings on them. However, underneath the four unmarked packets were four labeled photo shop envelopes with headers on them. The prints look as if they might be of the subjects on the headings so I used the four headers from the empty envelopes.

8) Days 1-4 [1994]

9) Continued through Holy Blood of Bruges [1994]

10) Cheese Market and Sailing: Einkhousen to Hoorne [1994]

11) Vienna [1994]

12) After Istanbul rugs and Cappadosia [1990]

13) The Matterhorn

14) Sleighride

15) The Ritz

16) Cotton and bittersweet; two versions of Georgia fence

17) Taylor (prints only)

18) Geneva, St. Moritz, the Matterhorn (prints only)

19) England, Scotland (prints only)

20) Spain (prints only)

21) Spain (prints only)

22) Burges and Ballvous (prints only)

23) Leningrad and ship pictures (prints only) [1989]

24) Boulder - Storm (prints only)

25) Amalfi Prince of Rome (prints only)







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 12

Note: All the items in this box were bound together by a rubber band.

1) Beijing and the Wall (negatives only)

2) End cruise, arrive Shanghai (negatives only)

3) Shanghai and Suchow (negatives only)

4) Guilui and Hong Kong (negatives only)

5) Bangkok (negatives only)

6) Bali (negatives only)

7) End of Bali (negatives only)

8) Unlabeled prints

9) Unlabeled prints

10) Unlabeled roll

11) Unlabeled roll

12) Unlabeled roll

13) Unlabeled roll







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 13

1) Scotland, Bath

2) My Play (prints only)

3) Mixture (prints only)

4) Lippizaners, Halifax, Arizona (prints only)

5) Boston, Halifax, Rich Neck, Curry(?) Church (prints only)

6) Massif and Cennall

7) Savannah (prints only)

8) Bridges of Hope

9) A. A. - junk & mountains (prints only)

10) A. A. Party (prints only)

11) Vicerizia and Navae Museum (prints only)

12) Georgia fence, cotton & bittersweet (prints only)

13) "These are the ones he didn't want reprinted" (prints only)

14) End of trip (single print)

15) Erfoud (prints only)

16) Unlabeled prints

17) Unlabeled prints







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 14

1) Unlabeled prints

2) Unlabeled prints

3) Unlabeled prints [1989]

4) Unlabeled prints [1989]

5) Unlabeled prints

6) Unlabeled prints

7) Unlabeled prints

8) Unlabeled prints

9) Unlabeled prints

10) Unlabeled prints

11) Unlabeled roll [1994]

12) Unlabeled roll [1994]

13) Unlabeled roll [1990]

14) Unlabeled roll [1990]







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 15

1) Prints which were loose in boxes

2) Prints which were loose in boxes

3) Prints which were loose in boxes

4) Prints which were loose in boxes

5) Prints which were loose in boxes

6) Prints which were loose in boxes

7) Prints which were loose in boxes

8) Prints which were loose in boxes

9) Prints which were loose in boxes







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 16

1) Unlabeled roll [1990]

2) Unlabeled roll [1990]

3) Unlabeled roll [1990]

4) Unlabeled roll [1990]

5) Unlabeled roll

6) Unlabeled roll

7) Unlabeled roll

8) Unlabeled roll

9) Unlabeled roll

10) Unlabeled roll

11) Unlabeled roll

12) Unlabeled roll

13) Unlabeled roll

14) Unlabeled roll

15) Unlabeled roll

16) Unlabeled roll

17) Unlabeled roll

Note: All the remaining packets contain negatives only.

18) Shellbanks House & Mantel

19) Richneck etc. (Harrises 1st trip)

20) Sweet Hall, Windsor shades

21) St. Andrews

22) Richneck

23) Auen Amand

24) Florence & Giotto frescos; Monastery San Marco

25) Colt & Kelly

26) Carcassone, Paris, Giverney

27) Edinburgh to Dirleton

28) Carcassone, St. Papoul

29) Mayfield

30) To Moissac

31) X-mas 121 Pine Needle Rd

32) Conques, Collognes Rouge

33) Sarlat, Calais, Cinq Japopie

34) Canyon

35) Santa Fe







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 17

Note: All these packets contain only negatives.

1) Arizona

2) New Mexico

3) Grand Canyon

4) Arizona

5) Santa Fe

6) End of Florence & beginning of Venice; Mecidi palace

7) Venice & Vicenza

8) Arrival in Florence; Baptistry doors

9) To Conques

10) Torgiant

11) Wine tasting - Perugia

12) Truli

13) Escalator, Orieto?, Assisi

14) Venice & Veicenza

15) Hallifax

16) Lippizanas

17) Bridges of Hope

18) Bridges of Hope

19) Bridges of Hope

20) Afton Villa, Catalpa [1991]

21) Highland and Greenwood [1991]

22) Myrtles, Grace Church [1991]

23) Grace Church, Rosedown [1991]

24) Oakley and Rosedown [1991]

25) Highland [1991]

26) Faison

27) Faison

28) Unlabeled negatives

29) Unlabeled negatives

30) Unlabeled negatives

31) Unlabeled negatives

32) Unlabeled negatives

33) Unlabeled negatives

34) Unlabeled negatives

35) Unlabeled negatives

36) Unlabeled negatives

37) Unlabeled negatives

38) Unlabeled negatives

39) Unlabeled negatives

40) Unlabeled negatives

41) Unlabeled negatives







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 18

1) Partially filled photo album which contains loose photographs

2) Miscellaneous (folder)
- newspaper clippings, blank cards, other items found loose in boxes

Note: The next six items are envelopes with the contents of each described after the heading.

3) Greece
- items collected on a trip to Greece

4) Hotel Excelsior Napoli
- items bound by a rubber band, surrounded by a menu from the Hotel Excelsior Napoli

5) Black Book Cover
- items contained in a black plastic book cover

6) Photographs (1)
- miscellaneous photographs found loose in boxes

7) Photographs (2)
- miscellaneous photographs found loose in boxes

8) Old Photos
- older photographs, some mounted on index cards


Note: The following twenty-three items are envelopes containing postcards from various places around the world. They are organized by location.

9) Nova Scotia

10) Mexico

11) St. Sargius Church

12) Egypt

13) France

14) Britain

15) Venice

16) Florence

17) Siena

18) Padova

19) Vicenza

20) Other European Cities

21) Arizona

22) Colorado

23) Georgia

24) Great Smoky Mountains

25) New Mexico

26) North Carolina

27) South Carolina

28) Tennessee

29) Virginia

30) Other U. S. Sites

31) Embroidered postcards - Portugal

Note: The remaining items are travel diaries kept by Ruffin on his many trips. The destination of each trip is listed, and the date of the trip, if known.

32) Santiago de Compostela

33) Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Romania [1994]

34) Turkey, Greece [1990}

35) Christmas & New Year's in Europe [1990-1991]

36) Morocco

37) India and Nepal [1996]

38) Egypt [1989]

39) Grand Orient and Yangtze Cruise [1995]

40) Spain [1992]

41) Scandinavia at its Best and Leningrad [1989]

42) Norway, Russia [1989]

43) Britain and France [1985]

44) Hill Towns of Southern Italy [1991]

45) Europe - Britain and Italy [1984]

46) Europe - Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, England [1983]

47) book of maps and useful phrases for trip to Middle East and North Africa (belonged to Meralen Ruffin)

48) dictionary of Islamic and Moroccan terms







David Ruffin Papers

Finding Aid


Box 19

1) two 5"x7" black and white photographs of Ruffin

2) Oriental silkscreen

3) two small paintings (done by Ruffin?)

4) illustrated calligraphy copy of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

5) State of Florida High School Diploma for Samuel C. Sloan [3-17-87]

6) memorial for Edgar H. Duncan [1981]

7) certificate naming Ruffin Emeritus Professor of English at Georgia Southern College