Connor, George
Dates
- Existence: 1920 - 2002
Biography
George Coleman Connor was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on September 2, 1920. He graduated from Central High School in 1938 and received in bachelor’s degree from the University of Chattanooga in 1947 after serving three years in the U.S. Army during World War II. Connor earned a master of arts at the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College in 1955. After a number of years teaching in the Chattanooga public school system and founding the Adult Education Council, Connor returned to the University of Chattanooga as a professor of English in 1959.
George Connor was an extremely popular professor, and in 1963 the University of Chattanooga senior class presented him with the Ivy Award, the highest honor given by the graduating class. Six years later, the 1969 the University yearbook was dedicated in his honor. The recognition continued in 1973 when Connor was named as a Alexander and Charlotte Patten Guerry Professor, an honor bestowed on a section group of outstanding professors.
Professor Connor dedicated his life to education, and in 1985, his colleagues, former students, and friends endowed the George C. Connor Professorship in American literature in honor of Connor’s 26 years of service to the university. Connor died on August 20, 2002 and is buried in Chattanooga Memorial Park.