The Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame

John William Firor, Sr.

• Born: September 23, 1887
• Died: June 18, 1956
• Honored: September 24, 1999

Occupation: Chairman of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, The University of Georgia; consultant to USDA Extension Division.

Accomplishments: Professor Firor's far-reaching work improved Georgia farming as he trained students to carry out his teachings. His leadership essentially developed the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Georgia. In the 1920's, he organized and chaired the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology at what was then known as the Georgia State College of Agriculture. When the Georgia State College of Agriculture became a part of the University of Georgia system in 1931, Professor Firor continued as Department Head of Agricultural Economics until his retirement in 1951. He was a gifted teacher who taught his students how to think, analyze problems and to care for Georgia agriculture. When he died in 1956, he was remembered as an innovator in Georgia agriculture and a man who was a friend to both the farmer and the student.