Blossom, Virgil T.

Virgil T. Blossom (1907-1965) was born in Brookfield, Missouri. He attended Missouri Valley College at Marshall on an athletic scholarship, majoring in education, completing his degree in 1930. After earning a Master of Science degree from the University of Arkansas and taking classes at Northwestern University in Chicago, he started teaching and coaching athletics in the high school at Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he married Clarrene Tribble in 1934. In 1935 he went to Okmulgee, Oklahoma, as teacher and athletic director, then returned to Fayetteville High School three years later as principal. In 1942 he became superintendent of schools in Fayetteville. In 1953 he became superintendent of schools in Little Rock. Shortly after the Supreme Court found segregation to be unconstitutional, Blossom began working on a plan to integrate Little Rock's public schools. After an unsuccessful court challenge, Little Rock's plan was put into operation in the fall of 1957.

From the description of Virgil T. Blossom papers 1952-1960. (University of Arkansas - Fayetteville). WorldCat record id: 37497756