Ludd M. Spivey

Who is Ludd M. Spivey?

Ludd Myrl Spivey was president of Florida Southern College from 1925 to 1957. Ludd M. Spivey was born in Eclectic, Alabama, and graduated with two degrees from the University of Chicago. Following his academic career at the University of Chicago, he became the academic dean at Birmingham Southern in the early 1920s. In the summer of 1925 he became president of Florida Southern College, where he remained the president of the college for 32 years.

The Ringling College of Art and Design was started in Sarasota, Florida and Dr. Ludd M. Spivey was the Chief Director.

Ludd Spivey met with renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright in April 1938 in hopes of transforming the small school of Florida Southern into a national landmark. The two men made an agreement that eventually led to the design and construction of academic buildings on campus. Florida Southern College is now the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world.

Dr. Spivey retired as Florida Southern president on October 15, 1957. Shortly after he became ill and died December 27, 1962.