A Guide to the Margaret C. Berry Papers, 1883-1993

Biographical Note

Berry was born and raised in Dawson, Texas; she graduated high school as co-valedictorian. She received a full scholarship to Baylor University from that university's president and former Texas Gov. Pat Neff, but turned it down to attend UT. She earned a history degree from UT in 1937 and began teaching at elementary schools in El Campo, Freeport, and Galveston, Texas. At Navarro Junior College she became dean of women at East Texas State; after 10 years there she left to pursue her doctorate in higher education at Columbia University. She received encouragement from a professor there to write her dissertation on student life and customs at UT during its first 50 years. She returned to Austin in 1961 to begin her research on UT and joined the staff in 1962, becoming associate dean of women. She wrote four books about UT's history, traditions, leaders, and its buildings; and became known as UT's unofficial historian. Berry was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1996 and continued to teach at UT until 2002.

Scope and Contents

Articles, clippings, reports, studies, and relevant printed materials documenting all facets of University of Texas at Austin life written, collected, and used by Margaret Berry.

NOTE: Not all boxes/items listed here. Detailed finding aid available upon request.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Unrestricted access.

Use Restrictions

A portion of this collection is stored remotely. Advance notice required for retrieval. Contact repository for retrieval.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Margaret C. Berry Papers, 1883-1993, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Detailed Description of the Papers