John Fulton "Uncle Remus" Collection

John Fulton (1831-1932) was born enslaved on Andrew Jackson's Hermitage estate in Hermitage, Tennessee and died in Nashville.

In 1885, he came to Vanderbilt University to serve the famous IV Club, composed of four bachelor professors who kept house together in Wesley Hall. They were: William L. Dudley, Austin H. Merrill, J. T. McGill and W. T. Magruder. James H. Kirkland destined to become chancellor, later joined the group. As members of the group married, there remained only William L. Dudley, and he became his private servant. He resided in a small room in the basement of Wesley Hall, where he entertained the students by playing his guitar, singing ancient ballads, and reading Uncle Remus stories to the students, which is how he acquired his nickname. Fulton's room was a storehouse of memories. He collected photographs from the students and literally papered all four walls with the photographs. Those that would not fit on the wall were stored in trunks. And, the amazing thing is that he could tell you the names of every student.

In 1914, after Dudley's death, he became the caretaker for Mrs. R. F. Jackson. His duties kept him at that place during the day, but when night came he went back to his little room in the basement of Wesley Hall until the fire in February 1932. He died shortly after in April 1932.