University of Virginia Library

Letter Exchange

Mr. Moore told The Cavalier
Daily that "Mr. Johnson and
President Shannon have
exchanged several letters since
the summer concerning the
student's invitation, and we're
delighted that Mr. Johnson has
decided to accept. It has been
quite a while since a United
States President has addressed
the students at the University."

According to Mr. Shannon's
Executive Asst. Francis L.
Berkley, the most recent
former President to speak here
was Harry S. Truman, who
addressed the University just
after he left office. Just prior
to his assassination, John F.
Kennedy had accepted an
invitation to speak here in
1964.

Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke
at the University when his son
Franklin Jr. was graduating
from the Law School on June
10, 1940. His address became
known as the
"Stab-in-the-Back" Speech.