One of the many legends about the late Frank C. Erwin, Jr., the influential former regent of the University of Texas, involves his firing of John Silber in 1970.
As dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas in the late ‘60s, Mr. Silber, now president of Boston University, had one too many run-ins with Mr. Erwin.
Mr. Silber was among the panelists who discussed Mr. Erwin’s influence at a meeting of the Texas State Historical Association this month.
As chairman of the Board of Regents, Mr. Erwin oversaw a period of rapid expansion at Texas. His plans to break the College of Arts and Sciences into separate units infuriated Mr. Silber, who accused him of trying to “destroy the university.” Mr. Silber recalled the day in July 1970 that Mr. Erwin called him into his office and announced, “The war is over. You’re fired.”
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