Emerson Emory, M.D., was born in Dallas, Texas, on January 29, 1925, the only child of Corry Bates Emory, a janitor, and Louise Emory, a housekeeper. In 1940, Emory graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and enrolled in Prairie View College near Houston to follow his dreams of becoming a physician. On his eighteenth birthday, in 1943, he enlisted into the United States Army. He completed Infantry Basic Training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, and was then transferred to the Basic Engineer Program at Howard University through the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). After serving with the 3607th and 3533rd Quartermaster Truck Companies in the European and Asiatic-Pacific theatres of operation, Emory was discharged in February 1946.
After the war, Emory returned to college at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and completed his bachelor’s degree in biology in 1948. He continued his education at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received his medical degree in 1952. During this time, he was commissioned as an Ensign, HP (half-pay) in the United States Naval Reserves. Shortly after finishing his medical degree, Emory returned home where he became the first African-American intern at St. Paul Hospital in Dallas. He then served as a resident at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, and Wadsworth General Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Emory once again returned to Dallas in 1956 and was appointed Staff Physician at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. He began his private practice in internal medicine in 1960.
Dr. Emory continued to serve the Dallas community as well as his country. He volunteered as a physician on numerous occasions, including a 1966 mission in Vietnam. Active politically, he fought for civil rights and helped other doctors find healthcare for underprivileged families. He was a member of many organizations, including the United Service Organization, White House Conference on Children, Black Citizens for Justice, Law and Order, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Dr. Emory also enjoyed writing about important issues and experiences in his life, and at one time published a local newspaper,
The collection, in four manuscript boxes and two oversize boxes, is comprised of material created and/or collected by Emerson Emory over the course of his personal life, his career as a physician, and his time in the military. The material documents Emory’s life, mostly through his own personal accounts.
The collection is organized into three series. Series I contains Emory’s personal papers, the bulk of the collection. This series includes biographical information about Emory, newspaper clippings, photographs, and Emory’s personal writings. The editorials, personal writings, and newspaper clippings about Emory reveal the most about his accomplishments and views on life. Emory’s research on Doris
The material contained in the Emerson Emory Papers is of value to researchers interested in a variety of topics. As a prominent African-American active in medical, community and political affairs in the Dallas area, Dr. Emory’s papers provide tremendous insight into the African-American experience of living in Dallas, serving in military, World War II, Vietnam, and in the Navy Reserves, experiences as a doctor, and advocacy for civil rights and justice for minorities.
Open for research.
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.
The donor reserves the rights to receive any monetary benefits arising from any commercial venture that may be produced using items in the collection. Examples of this include a book, documentary film, or motion picture about the life of Dr. Emerson Emory. The donor also reserves the rights to directly negotiate any such commercial venture with any third party.
Gift of the Estate of Emerson Emory by Emerson Emory, Jr.,
Gift,
Accessioned as number 2003-19 and 2011-50.
Emerson Emory Papers, AR466, Box Number, Folder Number, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library.
The Emerson Emory Papers were initially processed by Tara Kirk in May 2005. Brenda S. McClurkin revised and updated the finding aid in September 2011 to reflect additional materials donated by the family.
Series I. Personal Papers, 1893-2003 (3 boxes plus 10 folders, 1.55 linear ft.)
Series II. Medical Papers, 1953-1977 (9 folders, 0.2 linear ft.)
Series III. Military Papers, 1926-1994 (8 folders, 0.2 linear ft.)
Dr. Emory's World War II scrapbook stored in Box 3, Folder 14, is very fragile. Please use photocopies of scrapbook in Box 3, Folder 13.
These materials are indexed under the following headings in the catalog of The University of Texas at Arlington Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Arranged alphabetically by document type. Biographical information, certificates, correspondence, keepsakes, medals, photographs, plaques, printed material, and writings reflecting Emory’s personal life.
Biographical information on Dr. Emerson Emory, including a curriculum vitae, funeral program, obituary, Military Order of the World Wars biography, and a short autobiography.
USO National Council President; USO Certificate of Distinction; Jewish Association for Services for the Aged Award Winning Author; Dallas County Pioneer Association member; Sons of Confederate Veterans member; and City of Dallas Special Recognition certificate.
General Alumni Association of Lincoln University Alumni Achievement Award which includes a profile of Emory.
Committee of 100 Award in Medicine; County of Los Angeles commendation for dedicated service.
Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Society, Lincoln University; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Meharry Medical College; and Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association certificates.
Citizenship awards, membership in the Dallas County Democratic Executive Committee and Sons of Confederate Veterans, and other activities.
Various birthday and holiday cards from family and friends
Letters and postcards from family and friends, including letters from Emerson during his World War II service.
Various birthday and holiday cards from family and friends.
Dallas County death certificate for Henry Miller, hanged.
High school report cards and commencement program; application for the Tennessee Board of Basic Science exam.
Articles, biographical material, correspondence, and military research relating to Dorie Miller, including a packet of materials assembled and distributed by Dr. Emory in his efforts to have Miller awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor.
VHS videotapes of Waco City Cable Channel and WFAA news reports on Dorie Miller.
Funeral obsequies for family and friends of the Emory family.
Black and Clark Funeral Home receipt for funeral services for Emory’s father, Corry Bates Emory.
Afro-American Life Insurance Co. receipt books for Emory.
Business card, campaign postcard, marriage invitations, women’s club event program, pageant ribbon, note and photo from Hillary Clinton, Sequoia National Park program, portrait of Jefferson Davis.
Commencement invitation and programs for commencement related activities including baccalaureate, glee club concert, Class of 1948
Prairie View A&M University Alumni memorial, and a letter of condolence from a friend, Bill Minutaglio, following Emory’s death.
Clippings from local newspapers about family and friends; African Americans, including Confederate Civil War soldiers, Benny Binion; and other interests of Emory’s.
Clippings about Emory's career as a doctor, work in Vietnam, interest in Dorie Miller,
Booker T. Washington High School band; panoramic photo of Harbor Springs, Michigan.
National Archives photos of Miller and various U.S. naval vessels associated with his naval career. Images include Miller in uniform, 1942; Miller being awarded the Navy Cross by Admiral Charles Nimitz, 1942; Miller speaking at the N.T.S. Great Lakes, Illinois, 1943; the
Photos of Emory in kindergarten; his Booker T. Washington High School graduating class; at college graduation; practicing medicine; during his service in World War II; in a diving suit as a member of the Navy Reserve; a School of Aviation Medicine group photo; with John Connally; with President Bill Clinton; and at his desk.
Dr. Emory sitting at his office desk.
Photos removed from a magnetic album are numbered to reflect their original order. Subjects include Emerson Emory; his wife Peggy Emory; children Sharon, Karon, and Rusty Emory; mother Louise Emory; aunt Annie Linthecum; cousins Paul Davis, Terry Davis, Cornelius Porter, Margaret Wells, Caroline and Thompson; granddaughters Peggy and Victoria; and friend Frank Manning. The funeral program for Geneva Harbert, the 1893 death certificate for Henry Miller, and the clippings about Emerson Emory have been moved to their respective folders. The photos primarily depict vacations, holidays, and special events.
Includes photos of Emory’s great-grandmother; his father C. B. Emory during World War I; Emory and his mother during World War II; his mother Louise Emory; cousin Cornelius Porter; Louis Dawson; and Kitty.
Includes photos of Emory’s wife, Peggy Emory, and her mother, Wilma Middleton, and sister Mary Brown; children Sharon, Karon, and Rusty Emory; daughter-in-law Sharon Emory; brother-in-law Rudolph Herald; grandchildren Victoria, Peggy, Jonathan and Virginia; cousin Margaret Wells, Ella Kinnebrew, and friend Bill Plummer. Photos depict family gatherings and trips to Pearl Harbor, Virginia, and Cuba.
Photos of a medical school reunion in the 1970s; a Lincoln University 50th Reunion in 1998; Washington-Lincoln Alumni Association and a Prairie View A&M reunion, both undated.
Photo of the interior of what is thought to be the Smith Drug Store in the State/Thomas area of Dallas.
A second photo of the interior of what is thought to be the Smith Drug Store in the State/Thomas area of Dallas.
Photos include Emory placing a wreath at the African-American Civil War Memorial in Washington, D.C., 1998; Dallas Gaston-Gregg SCV Camp installations of officers, 1999 and 2001; Confederate grave dedication services; Dr. Emory’s visit to the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library in Biloxi, Mississippi, approximately 2001; and an undated exhibit of African-American Confederate soldiers.
Children, picnic, graduation ceremony, family and friends.
Emory’s high school diploma from Booker T. Washington High School, Dallas.
Howard University A.S.T.P. Engineering 20th Reunion; Texas Society of Athletic Team Physicians membership plaque.
Certificate of recognition that Dr. Emory was featured in the 1968 edition of
Emory’s plaque for being the president of the Dallas USO.
The Marquis
Black Citizens for Justice, Law and Order plaque.
International Poet of Merit Award from the International Society of Poets.
Member, National Register
Writings include Emory’s personal memoirs of his volunteer service in Vietnam, and essays and editorials – many for his
Writings include essays and editorials – many for his
Manuscript journal of Emory’s trip to Vietnam.
Writings include essays and editorials – many for his
Editorials by Dr. Emory published in several Dallas newspapers. Subjects include black history, the Confederate flag, and civil rights, and Benny Binion.
Arranged alphabetically by document type. Certificates, plaques, prescription booklets, and printed material relating to Emory’s career as a physician.
The American Medical Association, Bac-Si My Medical Association, Republic of Viet-Nam Ministry of Health, and U.S. Department of State honor Emory’s medical service in Vietnam.
Committee of 100 Award in Medicine; County of Los Angeles commendation for dedicated service.
State of Texas Board of Examiners proficiency in the basic sciences.
U.S. Federal Aviation Agency medical training certificate acknowledging completion of an aviation medicine course.
The Interdenominational Ministers’ Alliance honors Emory’s volunteer medical service in Vietnam.
Meharry Medical College President’s Award for twenty-five years of service to mankind.
Emory’s office plaque with a message to his patients about his services and personal policy.
Marble Collegiate Church
Arranged alphabetically by document type. Certificates, Navy Reserve documents, printed material, and keepsakes from Emory’s time in the military.
Appointment as United States Navy reserve officer.
For dedicated service during World War II from the Texas State House of Representatives.
Establishment of entry base pay, letter of promotion to lieutenant commander, list of officer assignments, daily agendas, flight schedules, training schedules, and Retired Servicemen’s Family Protection Plan information.
Booklet with English and Vietnamese common terms used in treating the sick and injured; photograph of the inside of a sick ward in Vietnam.
Photocopies of the memory book pages. Please use these photocopies instead of original.
Emory’s scrapbook from his service during World War II. Included are photographs, clippings, lists of officers, German Nazi insignia on the cover, and other keepsakes. This book is very fragile, please use photocopies in Folder 13.
Loose items tucked into Emory's scrapbook include World War II ephemera, printed materials, clippings and correspondence. Funeral programs, photographs, and Navy Reserve documents were noted, but moved to folders with like materials.