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Benet Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Mss-0048

Scope and Content

These papers are limited primarily to the period 1946-1951. In 1949 Benet became Chairman of Clemson's Board. During this post-World War II period a number of major issues came before Clemson's administration and Board. These included athletics, the building program, veterans’ affairs and housing, remediation in English and math, and competition and cooperation between the state colleges and universities.

Dates

  • 1909 - 1951

Creator

Biographical Note

Christie Benet was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, December 1879, son of William Christie Benet, a native of Scotland, and Susan McGowan Benet, of Abbeville. He was educated in public schools, the University of South Carolina, and the College of Charleston, where he earned his Phi Beta Kappa key and A.B. degree in 1900. He attended the University of Virginia and received his LL. B. in 1902. In college Mr. Benet was an outstanding athlete and played tackle on the University of Virginia football team. He coached football teams a t the University of South Carolina and at the University of Virginia. In the annals of sports history M r . Benet is recorded as having played a leading part in quieting a confrontation among University of South Carolina and Clemson students following a 12-6 victory by the Carolina football team over the Clemson team. On October 17, 1906, he married Alice Haskell. They had two children, a son who died as a young man, and a daughter, Alice, who married Porcher P. Hopkins.

Mr. Benet was a former United States Senator and a leading Southern attorney. He performed distinguished services for his state and country: in 1908-09 he was Solicitor for the Fifth Circuit; from 1910-12 he was City Attorney for the municipality of Columbia, and for thirty-three years he served on the Board of Regents of the South Carolina State Hospital, twenty of those as Chairman of the Board. He never held public elective office after 1918 when he was appointed to fill a portion of Senator B. R. Tillman's term following Tillman's death. He lost his U.S. Senate seat to William P. Pollock in 1918. Despite this defeat he played active roles in the Democratic Party, twice as Secretary of the State Executive Committee.

Benet was elected a Life Trustee of Clemson in 1929 and served until his death in 1951. His legal knowledge and experience and his concern for higher education made him an invaluable member of Clemson's Board.

Extent

1.25 Cubic Feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Introduction

Christie Benet was a lawyer and an outstanding leader who served his city, his state and nation. Among the many places he served was as a Life Trustee of Clemson College. He was elected in 1929, and in 1949 he became Chairman of the Board. Despite his long service these papers are limited primarily to the period 1946-1951.

Arrangement

The papers are arranged chronologically except for a half dozen folders which contain specific subject matter.

Provenance

Although the exact origin is unknown, these papers were most likely sent to the Library from the Clemson University president’s office.

Processing Information

Collection prepared by Berniece Holt in 1984.

Title
Benet Papers
Status
Completed
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
230 Kappa St.
Clemson SC 29634 U.S.A. US