Oral history interview with Alfred Thompson Adams, 16 Sept. 1980.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

The interview consists of sound recordings in two formats: 1 original audio cassette recorded in 1980 and a duplicate audio cassette created in 2006; and a set of 3 data CDs containing MP3 files (a master, a copy master, and a use copy). The original cassette was digitized during a conversion project in 2006.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: An oral history interview with Nashville lawyer and judge Alfred Thompson Adams, conducted on the 16 Sept. 1980 by Leanne Thornton as part of the Historic Nashville, Inc. Oral History Project concentration on Nashville history from 1910 to 1930. Adams, who served Nashville as Chancellor of Part Two of the Davidson County Chancery Court from 1957-1970, discusses his childhood and education in Nashville; visiting the Beersheba Springs summer resort; playing football and basketball at Vanderbilt University; his military service during World War I; practicing law in the Stahlman Building in downtown Nashville; his family's history with the First Presbyterian Church (later the Downtown Presbyterian Church) and the Second Presbyterian Church; his involvement in politics; and his career as a judge.

Cite as: Oral history interview with Alfred Thompson Adams, Historic Nashville, Inc. Oral History Project, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

System requirements for sound discs: computer with MP3 capable software.

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code)

Nashville lawyer and judge. Alfred Thompson Adams was born in 1898 in Nashville the grandson of A.G. Adams. Adams graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 1921 after having served as captain of both the basketball and football teams while an undergrad between 1915 and 1919. Adams served as a second lieutenant in field artillery during WWI and was a major in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Adams served as a member of the Tennessee state House of Rep. from 1923 to 1924. In 1923, Adams married Karin Hughes from Texas, whom he had met when she had come to Nashville to visit relatives. Adams practiced law for 36 years, including serving as president of the Nashville and Tennessee Bar Associations. He also served as Tennessee Code Commissioner. Adams was appointed Davidson County Chancellor by Gov. Clement in 1957 to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Chancellor William Wade of Part Two of the Davidson County Chancery Court. Adams retired in 1970 at age 72 (he was replaced by Frank Drowota III) and practiced law with his son, Alfred T. Adams, Jr. Adams was a member of the American Legion, the Downtown Presbyterian Church, and the Quinq Club, and his family had a long association with the summer resort at Beersheba Springs. Adams died in 1982.

In English

Forms part of the Historic Nashville, Inc. Oral History Project.