Calvert Walke Tazewell was born in 1917 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was educated in public and private schools in Norfolk. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1937 and received a commission while overseas in World War Two. During the war he received the Bronze Star Medal for his service in the China Campaign. He reached the rank of Lt. Colonel, serving in communications and electronics and as commanding officer. He retired from active duty in 1959. After the military, he worked as Civil Defense Coordinator for Dade County Florida, taught Civil Defense courses, worked for the Florida State Board of Health, and the Health-Welfare-Recreation Planning Council after returning to Norfolk. Tazewell founded the Norfolk Historical Society, a group dedicated to preserving all aspects of local history, in 1965. He served as its president for two terms, then as Executive Vice President. He was also a co-founder of the Virginia History Federation, an organization that sought to link all history related groups in Virginia. He served as the Federation's first president in 1969. Tazewell was the founder and director of the Hampton Roads Central Library, an internet digital library and archive from 1993-1997. He also operated the W. S. Dawson publishing company until 1997.

Note written by Special Collections Staff