Descriptive Summary
Ideson, Julia B., 1880-1945
Julia Ideson CollectionBulk, 1920-19301885 to 1944; 1920 to 1930MSS.0032
5.0 Linear feet,
6 boxes
Materials are in English.
Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library
Biographical Note
Julia Bedford Ideson became the first head librarian of the Houston Public Library in 1904 and served in this capacity until her death in 1945. She was born on July 15, 1880 in Hastings, Nebraska and moved with her family to Houston as a child. She later earned her library science degree as part of the inagural program at the University of Texas.
Miss Ideson oversaw the tremendous growth of the Houston Public Library not only in terms of use and acquisitions but also in the expansion of physical facilities throughout the city. She was also the first woman from Houston listed in
Who's Who in America. Her other numerous honors included serving both as President of the Texas Library Association and as the first vice-president of the American Library Association. She was a lifelong supporter of many civic causes including providing library services for African Americans and women's suffrage. Julia Ideson died on her birthday in 1945 while visiting her sister in Pennsylvania, but she continues to be remembered for her outstanding achievements as a librarian and contributions to the city of Houston.
Scope and Contents
The clippings, correspondence and manuscripts in this collection deal largely with Miss Ideson's library activities. Also included are several folders of printed material and photographs dealing with other civic and political organizations such as the Philosophic Society of Texas, the Texas Commission on Interracial Cooperation, the Texas League of Women Voters, and the U. S. Food Administration.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in nine series contained in six boxes. Box 1 is Miss Ideson's correspondence and speeches. Box 2 contains clippings, published materials and a scrapbook which reflect Miss Ideson's varied interests. Boxes 3 and 4 contain books from Miss Ideson's childhood and artifacts. The two remaining boxes contain photographs.
- Series 1: Correspondence
- Series 2: Speeches
- Series 3: Clippings
- Series 4: Professional Organizations
- Series 5: Houston Public Library
- Series 6: Travel
- Series 7: Miscellaneous
- Series 8: Artifacts
- Series 9: Photographs
Access Restrictions
None.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Jula Ideson Collection must be obtained from the Houston Metropolitan Research Center or the appropriate copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
Julia Ideson Collection. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library.
Acquisition Information
Artifacts donated by: Louise Franklin, December 6, 1978.
Processing Information
Processed by: Bruce Weber, November 12, 1976.
Index Terms
Houston Public Library
Ideson, Julia B., 1880-1945
National League of Women Voters (U.S.)
Philosophic Society of Texas
Texas Commission on Interracial Cooperation
Texas Library Association
United States Food Administration
Civic leaders--Houston (Tex.)
Civil service--Texas--Houston
Community leadership
Librarians
Travel--20th century
War--Economic aspects--United States.
Women in community service--Texas--Houston
Women in history
Women--Suffrage--Texas
Women--Texas--Houston--History
World War, 1914-1918
Correspondence
1
1
Letters,
1900 to 1919
1
2
Letters,
1919 to 1973
1
3
Letters,
1933 to 1945
1
4
Letters,
no date
Speeches
1
5
Speeches and manuscript material,
1910 to 1940
1
6
Speeches and manuscript material,
1940 to 1944
1
7
Speeches and manuscript material,
no date
Clippings
2
1
Assorted newspaper and magazine clippings,
1918 - 1944
Professional Organizations
2
2
Historical sketch by Julia Ideson. Texas Library Association.
June 30, 1934
Other Organizations
2
3
Texas Commission on Interracial Cooperation,
1940 - 1942
2
4
Philosophic Society of Texas,
1939 - 1941
2
5
Texas League of Women Voters,
1939 - 1943
Houston Public Library
2
6
Reports,
1903 - 1938
Travel
2
7
Seminar in Mexico,
1929
2
8
European travel,
1914 - 1933
Miscellaneous
2
9
Scrapbook. Torchbearer,
1929
2
10
Unknown Author. "The Private Journal of Juan Nepomureno Almone."
Southwestern Historical Quarterly,
February 1, 1836 - April 16, 1836
Artifacts
3
Books belonging to Julia Ideson during childhood. Various titles.
4
Photographs, minute book, Indian cloth, samplers, silver cup, brooch.
Photographs
Content
5 and 6
U. S. Food Administration, Texas
Food Conservation and War Rations
World War I