Nathan Taylor Dodson Papers
Nathan Taylor Dodson was a professor of Physical Education at Wake Forest University (1957-1969). His papers contain biographical information; educational files; publications (books and articles); general files; and subject files relating to his activities as an advisor to the N.C. State Board of Education and State Department of Education; his work as a physical education professor at Wake Forest University; and his activities as a Vice President for physical education in the American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and its Southern Division; the N.C. Recreation Commission and Society; and the Society of State Directors of Physical Education.
Biographical and Historical Note
Nathan Taylor Dodson was born July 14, 1922, in Rockingham County, N.C., to William G. and Lula Carter Dodson. He grew up on the family's farm along with four sisters and seven brothers. He attended Berea College in Kentucky, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina, earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from UNC and graduating as a member of Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society. Dodson also earned a doctorate in physical education from Michigan State University.
Across his career, he published 49 professional articles and served a wide variety of professional organizations. Dodson worked with the N.C. State Department of Public Instruction (1950-1957), "gaining the deepest respect of his associates, working ceaselessly for improved programs in physical education for all children" according to scholar J. Edmund Welch. Dodson also served as a Boy Scouts of America leader and a referee for football, basketball, baseball and wrestling in his local community. He was Vice President pf American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation's physical education division, as well.
Dodson and wife Eleanor Elizabeth Beasley moved to Winston-Salem, N.C., in 1957 where he was on the faculty at Wake Forest until his death in 1969. On August 13, 1969, at the age of 47, Dodson died while running on the Wake Forest track. He left behind his wife and three children: two sons, Lee and Ed, and daughter Lu.
Sources:
- Welch, J. Edmund. "Physical Education as a Way of Life: The Story of Nathan Taylor Dodson." North American Society For Sport History. Proceedings And Newsletter. 1973.
- "Nathan Taylor Dodson," Find A Grave. Accessed in 2023 at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122759698/nathan-taylor-dodson
Collection Overview
His papers contain biographical information; educational files; publications (books and articles); general files; and subject files relating to his activities as an advisor to the N.C. State Board of Education and State Department of Education; his work as a physical education professor at Wake Forest University; and his activities as an officer in the American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER) and its Southern Division; the N.C. Recreation Commission and Society; and the Society of State Directors of Physical Education.
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- This collection is open for use.
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- Preferred Citation
- Nathan Taylor Dodson Papers (MS413), Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.