For Valentine’s Day, we wanted to take a look at the romance literature within the DeGolyer Library. Romance novels make up the biggest share of the publishing market–in 2018, they accounted for 25% of all books purchased, and in 2022, an estimated 19 million printed romance novels were sold. But where did the genre begin?…Continue Reading Pamela and the Early Origins of the Romance Novel
Last April, I learned that the Southern Methodist University Archives would move and go into storage during the construction of the Rees-Jones Library of the American West. Although I am excited about a new building, new storage for historical material, and new exhibit space, I was also apprehensive. Moving an archives is a complex project….Continue Reading Moving and Storing the SMU Archives
The G. William Jones Film & Video Collection, Hamon Arts Library, is pleased to announce a new donation of film materials and memorabilia, including rare laserdiscs, from the collection of the late Robert Holladay (1940-2019). Known as “Mr. Paramount of Abilene,” Holladay was the Film Director of the historic Paramount Theatre in Abilene. He was…Continue Reading New collection: Robert Holladay Film Media and Materials Collection
One of the many charitable organizations Ebby Halliday supported was the St. Paul Medical Foundation. Originally established in 1964 by the Daughters of Charity, the Foundation’s mission was provide the finest healthcare for all people. This aligned with Ebby and Maurice Acers’ lifelong credo of “doing good for others” and they both devoted their resources…Continue Reading Ebby and the Legends of St. Paul
Sam Johnson (’51) served 29 years as an Air Force pilot before representing Texas 3rd District in the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2019. Johnson grew up in Dallas, and joined the ROTC while he was a student at SMU. After serving multiple combat tours in the Korean War and the Vietnam…Continue Reading Veteran and Congressman Sam Johnson ’51
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, was born on this day in 1858. Famous for his exploits as a soldier, conservationist, and statesman, he was also defined by his progressive politics and cultivated image as a cowboy outdoorsman, forever linked in the popular imagination to images of the American West. From its…Continue Reading Exploring the Doris A. and Lawrence H. Budner Collection on Theodore Roosevelt
The DeGolyer Library has processed the working and research papers of pioneering feminist and women’s rights activist Maura McNiel known as “mother of the women’s liberation movement in Dallas”. McNiel’s interest and activism had its roots at Southern Methodist University, when McNiel attended the Symposium on the Education of Women for Social and Political Leadership…Continue Reading “I’m mad.”…Feminist activist Maura McNiel
The papers of Don Meredith—SMU alum, Dallas Cowboys Quarterback, sports commentator, and actor are now available to researchers at the SMU Archives. Joseph “Dandy” Don Meredith (1938-2010) was born and raised in east Texas, where he acted in school plays, excelled in basketball and football, and graduated second in his class. Meredith was a…Continue Reading “Dandy” Don Meredith comes to the SMU Archives
Bridwell Library’s new exhibition, The World Methodist Museum Collections and the Saint John’s Bible opens October 2, 2023 in the Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Galleries. Read about the acquisition and display of the World Methodist Museum Collections and more in our publication, The Bridwell Quarterly. We hope you’ll also enjoy the newest issue of The Bridwell…Continue Reading What’s New at Bridwell Library? Summer 2023
Legend has it that the ghost of former SMU President Umphrey Lee prowls the west stacks of Fondren Library. Visitors have reported hearing unexplained noises, walking through strange cold spots, and finding books that have mysteriously fallen off the shelves and onto the floor. Is the ghost of SMU’s fourth president to blame? As…Continue Reading Have you heard the tale of the haunted library?