Manning J. Dauer

Manning J. Dauer is known as the father of the Florida reapportionment law, a matter he became involved with in 1955.

The plan is recognized with stopping the domination of the “Pork Chop Gang,” the group of North Florida legislators who used unbalanced power. The plan was accepted by the federal court in 1967 and resulted in more fair representation in the Florida legislature.

Dauer was born in Wilmington, N.C., in 1909, and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1930 and master’s degree in 1931 from the University of Florida. He was awarded his doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1933. He came to UF that year as an instructor. Except for his service as a decorated officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he remained at UF for the next 47 years. He established UF’s political science department, serving as its chairman for 25 years.

In 1972, Dauer was named UF’s first Distinguished Service professor. He retired in 1980 but still researched, edited journals and lectured occasionally at UF.

Dauer passed away in January 1987, leaving most of his estate to UF.