DACS

urn:taro:smu.00150 J.W. Blanton, Sr. papers A Guide to the Collection Finding aid prepared by Lane J. Sobehrad, 2010. DeGolyer Library

P. O. Box 750396 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX 75275-0396

Finding aid encoded by Lara Corazalla, 2010. Finding aid written in English. Description based on DACS. Overview Southern Methodist University Archives, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University Blanton, J.W., Sr. J.W. Blanton, Sr. papers 1910-1954 1 box (0.25 linear feet) Jephthah W. Blanton was a member of the Educational Commission of 1910 which established Southern Methodist University. He remained a friend and donor to the university for many decades. This collection includes correspondence, papers and signed notes by J.W. Blanton, Sr. concerning SMU and its financial history, two scrapbooks given to Robert Hyer and Umphrey Lee by Blanton. Especially note that Dr. Lee's scrapbooks contain photographs of campus buildings circa 1938. SMU 1992.0139 Material is in English Biographical Note

Jephthah W. Blanton was a member of the Educational Commission of 1910 which established Southern Methodist University. He was also an outstanding Methodist layman and a leader in the business and civic affairs of Dallas. He worked on behalf of vital interests in the community and region and remained a dedicated friend of Southern Methodist University for half a century. In 1961, he was conferred a Doctor of Laws honorary degree from SMU.

Mr. and Mrs. Blanton donated the funds for the Blanton Student Observatory in 1934 when SMU was more in the country than it is today, as well as a scholarship and many numerous donations to SMU.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

This collection contains a number of documents from and about Southern Methodist University’s early history. Among them are two histories of SMU’s first years written by J.W. Blanton. Sr., documents concerning the founding of SMU by the Methodist church, and documents concerning a loan given by Mr. Blanton in the amount of $2,000 to SMU in 1919.

Arrangement of the Collection

The collection is organized into 1 series:

Series 1: Early History of SMU Access to Collection:

Collection is open for research use.

Publication Rights:

Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Director of the DeGolyer Library.

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain copyright authorization.

Access Terms

This collection is indexed under the following terms in the Southern Methodist University Libraries' online catalog. Researchers desiring related materials may search the catalog using these terms.

Blanton, J. W., Sr. Southern Methodist University -- History. College benefactors -- Texas -- Dallas. Preferred Citation

J.W. Blanton, Sr. papers, Southern Methodist University Archives, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University.

Acquisition Information

Deposit.

Finding aid written by

Lane J. Sobehrad, 2010.

Encoded by

Lara Corazalla, 2010.

Detailed Description of the Collection Series 1: Early History of SMU 1 box (10 folders)

11Concerning the Founding of SMU 12The Southern Methodist University Faces a Crisis 13Concerning a $2,000 loan given by J.W. Blanton, Sr. to SMU 14Early History of Southern Methodist University and Jephthah Wallis Blanton Scholarship and also Miscellaneous Information 15Early History of Southern Methodist University 16The Beginning of a Great University 17Certificate of Appreciation 18Correspondence 19News Clippings 110Binder with inscription: "Presented to Dr. Umphrey Lee, President, The Southern Methodist University by J.W. Blanton, Sr." (originally contained the contents of Folder 4)