Rudy, James H., 1909-1956

Indiana University alumnus.

Granted AB English in 1932. In his will Rudy left the bulk of his estate to Indiana University, which was used to begin and fund the Rudy Professorships to attract and retain outstanding faculty.

From the description of James H. Rudy papers, 1923-1958 (bulk 1952-1956). (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 44171562

James H. Rudy was an Indiana University alumnus (1932) whose estate was used to establish the fund for the distinguished "Rudy Professors."

Born in 1909, James H. Rudy was raised in Owensboro, Kentucky near the Kentucky Indiana border where his family were farmers and coal company owners. James Rudy attended Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee, where he was a promising but uneven student. His mother was adamant that he receive a college degree, so after graduating from high school, he entered Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. Not happy at VMI, Rudy transferred to Indiana University to continue his studies. During the summer of 1929, he had a journalism internship at The Clarksdale Daily Register in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He graduated in 1932 after earning his A.B. in English.

After his graduation, Rudy returned to his parents’ home in Owensboro, Kentucky and began looking for a job. Around 1935 he tried his hand at journalism on the Paducah Sun-Democrat in Paducah, Kentucky. He married Virginia Blair, a former Indiana University student, in December 1935. They moved back to Owensboro, about 1941 to take up farming. Together they had three children: Sarah Pauline, Katherine Frances, and James Henry Rudy. In January of 1952, possibly fearing commitment to an asylum and the loss of her children, Virginia drove to a spot near Gentryville, Indiana, and shot and killed their three children before turning the gun on herself. In 1956, James Rudy used that same gun to kill himself while in his own bed.

Rudy’s will stipulated that the bulk of his estate be donated to Indiana University. After defending the will against a legal challenge from Rudy’s sister, Sara Gray Rudy McNulty, the Board of Trustees used the estate to establish a fund for "Rudy Professors." Originally only for English professors, the "Rudy Professorships” were later interpreted more broadly and used "to attract and retain outstanding faculty." Edwin Cady of the English Department was the first to be awarded a "Rudy Professorship."

Name Relationship to James H. Rudy Occupation Blair, Fran Brother-in-Law; Brother of Virginia Blair US Army Soldier Blair, Grace F (Mrs. M. W. Blair) Mother-in-Law; Mother of Virginia Rudy & Linda Boswell Church Worker; homemaker Blair, Marion W. Father-in-Law; Husband of Grace Blair; Father of Virginia Rudy & Linda Boswell Engineer Boswell, Charles Brother-in-Law; Husband of Linda Blair Boswell Episcopal Priest Boswell, Linda Blair Sister-in-Law; Sister of Virginia (Blair) Rudy; Wife of Charles Boswell Dee Rudy's black hired hand Hired Farm Worker Felix, Fred State Trooper who found Virginia & children’s bodies State Trooper Kennedy, James Cousin of James Rudy Kennedy, William Cousin of James Rudy Lenon, Maurice E. James Rudy's friend Jeweler, businessman Lenon, Violet Virginia Rudy's friend Nurse Matthew Rudy's Mother's black hired hand Hired Farm Worker McNulty, Sara Gray Rudy Sister of James Rudy; Daughter of George & Katherine Rudy Oldham, Dr. John James Rudy's Doctor Physician Rudy, George H. Father of James & Sarah Rudy; Husband of Katherine Rudy Farmer; businessman Rudy, James H. Husband of Virginia Rudy; Son of George & Katherine Rudy Farmer; journalist Rudy, James Henry "Butch" Son of James & Virginia Rudy Child Rudy, Katherine "Kitty" Mother of James & Sarah Rudy; Wife of George Rudy Business woman & farm wife Rudy, Katherine Frances "Kitty" Daughter of James & Virginia Rudy Child Rudy, Sarah Pauline "Sally" Daughter of James & Virginia Rudy Child Rudy, Virginia Blair Wife of James H. Rudy; Daughter of Marion & Grace Blair Homemaker & farm wife Wigginton, William James Rudy’s last lawyer, executor & 10% beneficiary of J. Rudy Will Attorney

From the guide to the James H. Rudy papers, 1923-1958, bulk 1952-1956, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)