Abstract
LeRoy Collins' tenure as Governor of Florida (1955-1961) has drawn substantial attention from successive generations ofhistorians and journalists. Most studies of his leadership emphasize his efforts to push for a revision of the state's 1885 Constitution, give urban residents an equitable voice in the legislature and, eventually, reject racial subordination. These appraisals also accent his implementation of improvements in the administration of state government. Collins' success in winning the office with votes from city residents and, gradually, Black Floridians presaged a revolution in the exercise of political power in the state. The combined emergence of these constituencies would make possible the later adoption offundamental changes in governmental structure Collins proposed while in office. His calls for such reform signaled the ultimate end of control by a bloc of rural, white legislators over state policy.
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Recommended Citation
Crawford, George B.
(2021)
""The Very Finest Place on Earth": Governor LeRoy Collins and the Promise of Opportunity,"
Florida Historical Quarterly: Vol. 100:
No.
3, Article 4.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq/vol100/iss3/4
