The collection of V. P. Bernhard’s manuscripts was prepared by V. P. Bernhard, to be donated to the Houston Public Library, in the late 1930’s.

Mr. Bernhard was a journalist, columnist (“Life” [weekly column] for the Houston Labor Journal), poet, writer and metaphysical philosopher, who spent the greater part of his mature years (30 years) living and working in Houston, Texas. Before he came to Texas, he traveled the world, and arrived in America after joining the Salvation Army. His exact date and place of birth are unknown, but it is estimated that he was born in the late 1870’s in Denmark; his death is estimated in the 1930’s. That was when Mr. Bernhard prepared his manuscripts to be donated to the Houston Public Library. His creations, such as poems, songs, novels, as well as discussions, essays, compilations of articles, and even spiritual photographs, raise metaphysical issues, such as immortality, religion, relationship between God and man, and life after death. Mr. Bernhard’s works were inspired by his “spiritistic adventures” and were created in the traditions of metaphysics.