Interview with George K. Brady, March 8, 1976

Interview Summary

Dr. George K. Brady served as a professor at the University of Kentucky from 1925 to 1963. He received his PhD from the University of Illinois in the spring of 1923. Brady was appointed as an assistant professor in English department in 1925 where he taught comparative literature and a graduate course in bibliography. While at UK, Brady experienced three different university presidents and large changes throughout the university. Brady remembers Frank L. McVey, during whose administration the university expanded, although salaries were reduced due to the Great Depression. Herman L. Donovan became president in 1941, and Brady describes Donovan's fundraising techniques and lack of restrictions upon faculty. At the end of World War Two, the university saw a substantial increase in enrollment, and Brady notes the strain on the university and the City of Lexington.

In 1945, Brady took over as acting head of English department. He states that he was also asked to take over the humanities courses, and the ancient language department at about the same time. Brady describes holding three departmental head positions for twenty months. During this time period, the first African-American graduate students were admitted to UK. Brady remembers this experience and also discrimination against female professors. In 1951, Brady became the director of orientation for foreign students at UK, and he recalls entertaining foreign students.

Dr. Frank G. Dickey became president of the university in 1956. Brady described Dickey as very cautious and states that later President John W. Oswald made a better impression on Brady. Throughout this interview, Brady discusses the power of the University Senate, faculty committees, and various organizations affiliated with UK. He explains his drive to improve all the libraries on campus, and talks about the old Romany Theater and the Guignol Theater. He addresses the University Press of Kentucky, athletics, the Lexington community and its association with UK. He speaks about the English department and how the quality of the department improved through the years. Brady discusses how when he first arrived at UK, there was little emphasis on intensive research for publication purposes, which has changed greatly. Brady has one publication which is a translation of Japanese folklore.

Interview Keyword

University of Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

Brady, George K. Brady, George K.--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

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All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.