Presley M. Grise Papers

Collection

Identifier: 1986A005

Scope and Contents

Most of the material dates from Grise's tenure as a teacher at Model High School and a teacher and department head at Eastern Kentucky University's English and Language Departments. Most of the papers touch upon some facet of his work in these departments. Some exceptions are: letters to the editors of various newspapers, program folders, and some inter-university correspondence. These papers also prove interesting to study in terms of the effects of the Depression and World War II upon the University. There is evidence of economic strain, a drop in enrollment, a smaller faculty, a lack of equipment, and small salaries.

Dates

Creation: 1931 - 1978
Acquisition: 1981-11-23

Creator

Grise, Presley M. (Person)

Biographical or Historical Information

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Presley McCorkle Grise was born in Logan County, Kentucky on October 6, 1894. He graduated from Western Kentucky State College in 1926 with an A.B. degree. He attended graduate school at George Peabody Teachers College where he received his masters degree in English with minors in Latin, Social Science, and Education in 1930. He completed his doctorate in English at the University of Kentucky in 1940. Grise taught school and was a principal in Logan County and Warren County from 1915-1928. This time was interrupted by his service in the United States Army Field Engineers in France and Germany in 1917-1919. Grise became an assistant professor at Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College in 1930. At that time, he was a supervisory teacher at Model High School. He stayed in that capacity until he was transferred to the English Department of the college in 1939. In 1942, Grise received the title associate professor and, in 1946, was promoted to professor. In 1954, Grise was named the head of the English Department and chairman of the Division of Languages and Literature at Eastern Kentucky State College. In 1963, his position as chairman in the latter department was changed to head of the Language Department. Grise retired on April 14, 1965, after 35 years at the institution. While at Eastern he was also active in numerous professional organizations and committees, the Little Theatre, and the First United Methodist Church. Presley M. Grise died in Richmond, Ky., on May 29, 1981. His wife, Stella Louise Colton Grise, resides in Richmond. Their three sons are William Presley, Robert Newman, and Thomas Mack. IMPORTANT DATES IN THE LIFE OF PRESLEY McCORKLE GRISE (1894 - 1981) October 6, 1894 Born in Logan County, KY 1915 - 1916 Taught in Logan County, KY. 1917 Factory Worker 1917 - 1919 US Army as a Field Engineer in France and Germany 1919 - 1920 Office worker at Ford Motor Co. plant, Detroit, MI 1921 - 1922 Taught in Warren County, KY 1922 - 1923 Taught in Logan County, KY 1920 - 1926 Attended Western KY State College. Received A.B. degree 1926 - 1928 Grade and high school teacher in Oakland, Warren Co, KY 1929 Taught H.S. English and Social Science in Bowling Green, KY. 1929 Son, William Presley, born. 1928 - 1930 Attended George Peabody Teachers College. Received M.A. degree in English in 1930 1930 Began teaching at Model High School-Eastern KY State Teachers College. Title Assistant Professor 1930 Son, Robert Newman, born. 1931 Son, Thomas Mack, born. 1936 Named an Assistant Professor. 1939 Transferred to English Dept of Eastern KY State Teacher College 1936 - 1940 Attended the University of KY. Received PhD. 1942 Named Associate Professor 1943 Named Professor 1954 Head of the English Dept and chairman of Division of Language and Literature 1963 Named head of Language Department April 14, 1965 Retired from Eastern Kentucky State College. November, 1965 Lecture hall in Combs building named in Grise's honor May 29, 1981 Died in Richmond, KY

Note written by Bonnie K. Northcutt