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Creation Science Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC 701

Scope and Content Note

Papers created by plaintiffs' attorneys during the Arkansas Civil Liberties Union's successful challenge of that state's creation science law (Act 501) of 1981. The material consists of legal documents, correspondence, notes, and research files.

Dates

  • 1981

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

In 1981, the Arkansas State General Assembly enacted a law requiring "equal time" for the public school teaching of evolution and "creation-science" (a specific interpretation of the Genesis account of creation held by some members of the evangelical fundamentalist sect of Christianity). The Arkansas Civil Liberties Union immediately challenged the law, and retained the Little Rock law firm of Cearley, Gitchel, Mitchell and Bryant to represent the plaintiffs. Principal attorney for the plaintiffs was Mr. Robert E. Cearley, Jr. These papers were created by Mr. Cearley and his staff during preparation for the case.

Extent

17.5 Linear Feet (36 Boxes)

Arrangement of the Papers

  1. Series 1. Witness and Deponent Files. Boxes 1-14.
  2. Series 1. Subseries 1. For individuals called at the behest of the defense
  3. Series 1. Subseries 2. For individuals called by the plaintiffs.
  4. Series 2. Court Papers. Boxes 15-16.
  5. Series 3. Exhibits. Boxes 17-21.
  6. Series 3. Subseries 1. Contains the plaintiffs' attorneys' copies of exhibits filed with the court. These are predominantly exhibits entered by the plaintiffs, although a few defendants' exhibits are included in Box 17, folder 1.
  7. Series 3. Subseries 2. Contains exhibits separated by the plaintiffs' attorneys and entitled by them "Religious Exhibits." The order imposed by the donors has been retained: the exhibits were assigned an arbitrary number and arranged according to that number. Box 21, folder 1 contains a master index of the religious exhibits. Exhibit 4 is missing.
  8. Series 4. Background Readings. Boxes 22-27.
  9. Series 5. Office Files. Boxes 28-32.
  10. Series 6. Published Materials. Boxes 33-36.

Acquisition Information

The Creation Science Papers were transferred to Special Collections by Mr. Stephen A. Smith of the Department of Communications, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, February 3, 1986. Mr. Smith received the papers from their creator, Mr. Robert E. Cearley, Jr., of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Processing Information

Processed by Leon C. Miller, Special Collections Division, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas, in May, 1987.

Creator

Source

Title
Creation Science Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Leon C. Miller
Date
May 1987
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444