Chronology

James Finch Royster joins the university's English department

James Finch Royster came to the university's English department in the fall of 1907 and taught there for seven years.

James Finch Royster leaves the university for the University of Texas

Royster, who had been teaching the journalism course Edward Kidder Graham created, left Chapel Hill for the University of Texas, one of the faculty Graham could not keep during his year as acting president.

People: Edward Kidder Graham

James Finch Royster returns as Kenan Professor of English Philology

After seven years in Texas, Royster accepted the Kenan Professorship of English Philology, which he held until his death. Covington says President Chase recruited him back from Austin.

People: Harry Woodburn Chase

Graduate dean James Finch Royster builds a house on East Franklin Street

James Finch Royster, dean of the UNC graduate school in the later 1920s, built the two-story house at 619 East Franklin Street in 1922.

James Finch Royster becomes dean of the College of Liberal Arts

Royster became dean of the College of Liberal Arts in 1922 and introduced the major-minor system, sectioning of students by ability, and an advisory system that later grew into the General College.

Dean James F. Royster refuses Shaw University debaters seats in the gallery

When the debate team of Shaw University, a Black college in Raleigh, asked only to sit in the gallery and watch Carolina's debaters meet Washington and Lee, Royster, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said no, fearing it would reflect poorly on the university.

Edwin Greenlaw leaves the Graduate School deanship for Johns Hopkins

Greenlaw left after five years as dean, during which graduate enrollment had tripled to 346 students in eighteen departments. The Alumni Review said he was being driven from the state by tight budgets. James F. Royster followed him as dean.

People: James Finch Royster

Press governors object to Paul Green's introduction to Congaree Sketches

Called before Chase and the press's board, assistant editor William T. Couch heard Royster and the others condemn Green's introduction, which said neither race could leave the ditch until whites gave Blacks a hand. Couch pointed out that some 150 advance copies were already out, and the book went out as printed. Six months later, at Chase's order, unsold copies went to a commercial publisher, which reprinted it without Green's introduction.

People: William T. Couch · Paul Green · Harry Woodburn Chase · James Finch Royster

State senator John Umstead buys the Royster house on East Franklin Street

In 1933 state senator John Umstead bought the house at 619 East Franklin Street, and it has carried his name since.

People: James Finch Royster