Interview with Cornelius Grafton


  • Identifier1977 OH 010
  • Date3/9/1977
  • InterviewerEllis, William E.
  • IntervieweeGrafton, Cornelius
  • DescriptionMr. Cornelius Grafton is a bond counselor and lawyer in Louisville, Kentucky. He worked extensively for Dr. Martin to assume the presidency. Mr. Grafton helped Dr. Martin during the building boom at Eastern during the 1960's
  • LocationLouisville, KY
  • Time Summary0-5 Introduction
    6-43 First recollection of Martin; when Martin was associated with Finance office of Department of Education, Martin's association with development of standard form letter concerning issuance of revenue bonds
    43-57 Association with Martin when Martin was superintendent of Public Instruction
    69-91 Recollections of controversy surrounding Martin's management of Combs' gubernatorial campaign; Martin's effectiveness and contributions to the Combs campaign
    91-166 Recollections of Martin's short term as Finance commissioner; Martin may have taken job in order to learn how state finances worked; Martin probably had aspirations to become president of Eastern; evaluation of Martin as Commissioner of Finance
    167-175 Grafton's opinion of Martin's political ambitions
    176-195 Recollections of Martin's selection as president of Eastern
    196-231 Martin's relationship with Bert Combs; Martin's strongest loyalty was to Eastern; no knowledge of Martin's relationship with Carl Perkins
    231-397 Relationship with Martin since Martin became president of Eastern, very warm professional relationship; financing of dormitory and academic buildings
    397-479 Comparison of Martin with Adron Doran, Kelly Thompson, Frank Woods; competition among regional institutions
    479-494 Martin's relationship with state agencies
    494-543 No major problems associated with sale of Eastern's bonds
    544-617 Relationship between politics and education in Kentucky; benefits to university presidents of some degree of political experience
    617-675 Characterization of Martin's personality
    676-726 Anecdote concerning Martin
    726-822 Martin's influence on education in Kentucky
    822-846 Reaction to Martin running for Kentucky State Senate
    846-880 Summary
    880 End of tape
  • Restrictionsno
  • RightsContact Special Collections and Archives, Crabbe Library, Eastern Kentucky University for reproductions, rights and permission to publish.
  • IndexerAaron Moore


Citation

“Interview with Cornelius Grafton,” William H. Berge Oral History Center, accessed November 8, 2024, https://oralhistory.eku.edu/items/show/607.