Waverly J. Person (Finding Aid)

Waverly J. Person

1926 -

Interview Length: 131 minutes

Interview Date(s): June 19, 2002

Interview Location(s): U.S. Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center, Golden, Colorado

Abstract

Geophysicist and seismologist, Waverly J. Person discusses his family background and childhood in Black Ridge, Virginia. He describes his father's struggles to be an independent farmer and his mother's efforts to maintain dignity in a segregated rural area. Geophysicist and seismologist, Waverly Person details his education and sacrifices his family made to send him to a boarding high school. Person discusses life at St. Paul's College boarding school in Lawrenceville, VA. Person recalls his efforts to educate and register black voters through the NAACP and he shares some of the insidious methods used by whites to deny blacks the vote. Geophysicist and seismologist Waverly Person, discusses his life as a soldier during WWII in the Pacific. He recalls the invasion and occupation of Japan after the dropping of the atomic bombs. After later serving int he Korean War, Person returned to his alma mater for college, St Paul's. After graduating, Person landed a position in the US Department of Agriculture, where he had to invoke his rights as veteran just to keep his job. Transferred to another position in the Seismology department, Person recalls the relentless racism, where he wasn't even allowed to hang his jacket next to his white coworkers' coats. Geophysicist and seismologist, Waverly Person, discusses his position as the Chief of the U.S.G.S. National Earthquake Information Service, the first black person to achieve that rank. He details the measurement and impact of earthquakes and other research conducted by the organization. Geophysicist and seismologist, Waverly J. Person shares more information on seismology and fault lines. He then turns to contemplating his legacy and hopes for the black community.

53 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)