MSS 375 - J. Ben Meyer Collection: Inventory

J. Ben Meyer COLLECTION

(Mss 375)

Inventory

Earl K. Long Library

University of New Orleans

March 2011

 

Summary

 

Size:                           0.25 linear feet

Geographic

locations:                 Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

 

Inclusive dates:      September 15, 1975

Summary:                 Mimeographed typescripts of nine articles by J. Ben Meyer, official parish historian of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, addressing various aspects of Plaquemines area history.

Related

collections:            

Source:                     Transferred from Louisiana Collection, February 2011

Access:                     No restrictions

Copyright:                Physical rights are retained by the Earl K. Long Library, University of New Orleans.

Citation:                    J. Ben Meyer Collection, Earl K. Long Library, University of New Orleans

 

 

Biographical Note

 

            A native and lifelong resident of Plaquemines Parish, J. Ben Meyer served for many years as parish historian.  Born in Bertrandville, Meyer attended school in New Orleans, including two years of study for the Lutheran ministry.  He was a member of the Army Signal Corps during World War I.  Meyer served as registrar of voters for four years and, from 1933 to 1937, as assessor of Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes.  His interest in politics impelled him to work with powerful political boss Leander Perez in support of Luther Hall’s successful gubernatorial campaign in 1911 and of Perez’s own candidacy for Judge of the 25th Judicial Court.  In 1942 Gov. Sam Jones appointed Meyer a deputy fire marshal, a role he held until 1948.  In 1950 he unsuccessfully challenged F. Edward Hebert’s bid for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

            Meyer and Perez parted ways in 1938 when Meyer supported a candidate backed by Huey P. Long rather than the one Perez advocated.  Perez, then district attorney of Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes, retaliated by removing Meyer from consideration for the position of assessor.  Meyer struck back by publishing two anti-Perez newspapers.  The rift lasted for twenty years, ending with reconciliation a few years before Perez’s death in 1969.  Long active in area historical organizations, Meyer was named official historian of Plaquemines Parish, a distinction he held until his death on May 8, 1986, at the age of 91.  Meyer probably was acting in that capacity when he created the papers in this collection.

 

Source:  Marjorie Roehl, “Plaquemines Figure J. Ben Meyer Dies,” New Orleans Times-Picayune, May 9, 1986.

 

Container List

 

375-1              Meyer, J. Ben.  “Judah P. Benjamin.”  Buras, La.: Prepared by Plaquemines Parish Library, September 15, 1975.

375-2              Meyer, J. Ben.  “The Lafittes.”  Buras, La.: Prepared by Plaquemines Parish Library, September 15, 1975.

375-3              Meyer, J. Ben.  “Edward Livingston.”  Buras, La.: Prepared by Plaquemines Parish Library, September 15, 1975.

375-4              Meyer, J. Ben.  “The Cowan Story.”  Buras, La.: Prepared by Plaquemines Parish Library, September 15, 1975.

375-5              Meyer, J. Ben.  “The Far Reaches of the Lower Mississippi River.”  Buras, La.: Prepared by Plaquemines Parish Library, September 15, 1975.

375-6              Meyer, J. Ben.  “Forts.”  Buras, La.: Prepared by Plaquemines Parish Library, September 15, 1975.

375-7              Meyer, J. Ben.  “Fort de la Boulaye.”  Buras, La.: Prepared by Plaquemines Parish Library, September 15, 1975.

375-8              Meyer, J. Ben.  “Fort St. Philip, Fort Jackson and Fort St. Leon.”  Buras, La.: Prepared by Plaquemines Parish Library, September 15, 1975.

375-9              Meyer, J. Ben.  “Railroads of the Delta.”  Buras, La.: Prepared by Plaquemines Parish Library, September 15, 1975.

 

 

Index Terms

 

Benjamin, Judah P.

Forts—Louisiana

Lafitte, Jean

Lafitte, Pierre

Livingston, Edward

Mississippi River

Plaquemines Parish (Louisiana)

Railroads--Louisiana