Alumni Affairs
First 12 Heritage of Leadership Inductees
Harold B. Crosby (1918-1996)
Soldier, lawyer, educator, judge, professor, dean, college president – Harold Crosby made his mark in many fields, excelling in them all. He was the founding Editor-in-Chief of the College of Law's Florida Law Review, honored by his alma mater and the state for his contributions to education, professor and assistant dean at UFLaw, UF Dean of University Relations and Development, and president of two state universities – University of West Florida (Pensacola) for 10 years, and interim and permanent president of Florida International University (Miami) for five. His efforts on behalf of the state's legal system – serving as consultant to the Florida Constitutional Advisory Commission in the mid-50s and as Commissioner for the Promotion of Uniform State Laws in the mid-60s – also were noteworthy.
Born 1918 in Jacksonville. He and his first wife, Margaret Dutton Crosby, had two children: Susan Crosby Cross and Anne Bryan Crosby Higgins. He is survived by his second wife, Constance Westbury.
College Education / Achievements
- B.A. 1938, Northwestern University; J.D. 1948, University of Florida
- Founding Editor-in-Chief, University of Florida Law Review, Phi Alpha Delta (President), Blue Key, University of Florida Hall of Fame, Phi Kappa Phi, Order of the Coif
- Compiled verbatim class notes in law school, known as "Crosbys"
- Distinguished Service Medal, University of Florida,1964
- Designated Distinguished Alumnus, University of Florida,1972
- Florida Association Colleges and Universities, Medal of Merit for Outstanding Contributions to Florida Education, 1975
Legal Experience
- Practiced law, Kissimmee and Pensacola, 1949-55; Pensacola 1984-89
- U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII Air Force Judge Advocate, 1951-53
- Judge, First Judicial Circuit / North Florida, 1955-60
- Professor, University of Florida College of Law, 1960-64
- Assistant Dean, UF College of Law, 1960-62
- Senior Circuit Judge (list for periodic recall) from 1989
Non-Legal Achievements
- World War II, U.S. Army Air Corps, pilot
- Dean, University of Florida Relations & Development, 1962-64
- Founding President, University of West Florida, 1964-74
- Interim President, Florida International University, 1975; President 1976-79
- Regents Professor of Law, Florida State University, 1979-83
Associations / Organizations / Honors
- Consultant, Florida Constitutional Advisory Commission, 1954-55
- Trustee, University of Florida Law Center Association, 1961-65
- Board of Directors, University of Florida Foundation, 1962-64
- Florida Commissioner for the Promotion of Uniform State Laws, 1962-64
- Chairman, American Association of Upper Level Colleges and Universities, 1970-72
- Chairman, Florida Endowment for the Humanities, 1974-76