FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
The Frazer-O’Sullivan Collection contains the research for the co- authored book, We Have Just Begun to Not Fight: An Oral History of Conscientious Objectors in the Civilian Public Service During World War II, by Heather Frazer and John O’Sullivan. More than 40,000 American men refused to fight during World War II. Citing principled opposition, they declared themselves conscientious objectors. Rejecting combat duty, nearly 12,000 men entered Civilian Public Service (CPS) with the intent to perform "work of national importance" as an alternative to combat duty. The CPS program was set up by members of the historic peace churches (Mennonites, Brethren, and Quakers) and participated in by pacifists from other churches, of no specific religious persuasion, and, in the case of a few, no persuasion except not to fight in that particular war. CPS men worked as aides in mental hospitals, volunteered as smoke jumpers in forest fires, and participated in grueling medical and scientific experiments. Frazer and O’Sullivan use the oral histories of 15 CPS men and two of their wives to illuminate their experience during World War II.
Heather T. Frazer (1940 – 2016) was a professor of history at Florida Atlantic University. In 1971, she became the first female faculty member in the FAU history department where she taught for 35 years before retiring in 2006. During her tenure, she served as Department Chair and Director of Graduate Studies. She also pioneered the study of women’s history at FAU, helping establish the Women’s Studies program, which is now the Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Dr. Frazer taught courses in women’s history, modern Britain and British Empire, Indian history, and oral history.
John O’Sullivan (1939-2000) was a professor of history at Florida Atlantic University. In 1971, he came to Florida Atlantic University where he served as chair of the History Department (1975-1978) and devoted his entire academic career. Dr. O’Sullivan received numerous research fellowships including the American Philosophical Society, the American Historical Association, and the Sloan Foundation. His areas of specialization were World War II, Vietnam War, Nuclear Age, the Holocaust, Peace History, Oral History and Modern American Political and Diplomatic Affairs.
