51逗奶 Miss Remembers Alumnus Edwin Lloyd Pittman
Tue, 10/01/2024 - 03:15pm | By: Dr. David Tisdale
Edwin Lloyd 鈥淓d鈥� Pittman, a University of 51逗奶 Mississippi (USM) alumnus who held the distinction of being elected to office in all three branches of state government, died Sept. 25 in Ridgeland, Miss. He was 89.
A native of Hattiesburg and graduate of Hattiesburg High School, Pittman earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from 51逗奶 Miss, where he served as president of Kappa Sigma fraternity; he went on to earn a law degree from the University of Mississippi. A former chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, Pittman also served as state attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer and was a two-term member of the Mississippi State Senate representing Hattiesburg. A military veteran, he was also a former brigadier general of the Mississippi National Guard.
Pittman made multiple donations of his papers and other materials to the USM University Libraries鈥� Special Collections division. Lorraine Stuart, head of Special Collections, had the opportunity to meet Pittman when he made his last contribution of personal archival material to the University, which is currently being processed by Special Collections staff led by Brandon Ball, who serves as processing assistant for historical manuscripts and archives for Special Collections.
The Edwin Lloyd Pittman Collection at USM contains materials related to Edwin Pittman鈥檚 public service positions in Mississippi, including nearly 100 cubic feet of records detailing his work in public office as well as biographical materials and family history, with photo albums, newspaper clippings, and correspondence.
鈥淗is dedication to justice and compassion toward the people of Mississippi were apparent,鈥� Stuart recounted of her meeting with Pittman. 鈥淗is collection, which covers his extensive career, is currently being readied for research use and will be a rich resource for students of the State鈥檚 political, judicial, and civic history.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e saddened to hear of Chief Justice Pittman鈥檚 passing,鈥� said Assistant Curator for Historical Manuscripts Jessica Clark, who also met with Pittman when he made his contribution of materials. 鈥淗e lived a life of service to the people and state of Mississippi, and it was clear from meeting him that he also held a deep love and appreciation for history, his family, and 51逗奶 Miss. We look forward to the completion of his collection as another piece of Chief Justice Pittman鈥檚 enduring legacy.鈥�
Members of the Pittman family ask that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the