Robert E. Carson was a professor of Humanities at the University of Florida from 1946-1971. In his youth, he worked as a professional musician playing the saxophone and clarinet in dance orchestras, theaters, hotels and for a brief time, vaudeville.
many venues around the community
His first love was the violin which he started playing at the age of 4. Several years later he switched to the viola which he played in the Symphony Orchestra at the University of Florida for 25 years. He often performed at university events, receptions, weddings and other venues in the Gainesville community.
Professor Carson, or “Doc” as many called him, was a self-taught artist who began in watercolors at the age of 35. His works can be found in galleries as well as in other public locations and in private collections.
In 1966 author Gordon E. Bigelow asked Carson to provide sketches for his book, Frontier Eden, The Literary Career of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
Following the publication of Bigelow’s book, the University of Florida asked Carson if he would be willing to provide tours of the late Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home in Cross Creek.
From 1968 to 1970 Carson and his wife Estelle stayed at the historic MKR home on weekends and served as the first hosts. Sadly, he died following a car accident leaving Cross Creek in 1971.
Learn more about those exciting years giving tours at the late Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author’s home by watching the video below produced by Donna Green-Townsend and Carson’s daughter, Elaine Carson Spencer.
