Interview with Archibald Killian, July 23, 2014

Archibald Killian was born in Athens, GA in 1933. He studied at the Burdett School of Business in Boston, and served as a police officer overseas in the U.S. Air Force. In this interview, Killian discusses the process of desegregation of the University of Georgia and his decision to house Hamilton Holmes, one of the first two African-American students admitted to UGA, despite threats from the Klu Klux Klan. Killian also reflects on being one of the first African Americans to integrate the police department, his eventual decision to leave that job and join the postal service, and his role as pastor of the St. Mark AME Church after his retirement. Killian also comments on both positive and negative changes that he has witnessed in Athens over the years, and the importance of teaching history to young people.

2014-07-23

RBRL361AOHP-003

98 minutes