A Guide to the Charles Ramsdell Papers, 1844-1942.

Biographical Note

Charles William Ramsdell, Sr. (1877-1942) was born at Salado, Bell County, Texas. His entire career was associated with the University of Texas (UT), which he entered as a student in 1900. He received B. A. and M. A. degrees from UT in 1903 and 1904, respectively, and a Ph. D from Columbia University in 1910. On August 26, 1906, he married Susan Griffith, and the couple had two children, Dr. Mary Alice R. Dye and Charles William Ramsdell, Jr. From 1906 until his death on July 3, 1942, Ramsdell taught for the history department at UT, although he held visiting lectureships in the state universities of Illinois and at Columbia, Northwestern, Western Reserve, and Duke Universities. Although classroom teaching was his primary interest, Ramsdell wrote widely. A bibliography of his publications includes three books, several edited works, numerous articles and monographs, as well as many contributions to reviews. His books include Reconstruction in Texas, A School History of Texas (in collaboration with Eugene C. Barker and C. S. Potts) and Behind the Lines in the Southwestern Confederacy (published posthumously).

The several historical associations in which Ramsdell was active recognized his eminency. He served as president of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association, 1928-1929, and of the Southwestern Historical Association, 1936. He was a member of the executive council of the American Historical Association from 1931 to 1934. The Texas State Historical Association elected him treasurer annually from 1907 until his death, and he was an associate editor of its Quarterly from 1910 to 1938.

Recognized as the dean of Southern historians, Dr. Ramsdell held the distinction of being the most distinguished scholar and teacher in the field of Southern history.

Scope and Contents Note

The Charles Ramsdell Papers, 1844-1942, concern the career of Ramsdell and include materials relating to his teaching responsibilities; documents concerning his activities with historical organizations; correspondence and other materials relating to his research and writing. Also included is an inventory of his library, which was donated to the University of Texas, and an 1844 letter concerning a Mississippi Whig's opposition to the annexation of Texas. The library also holds an extensive collection of microfilmed documents concerning Southern history, which were collected by Ramsdell. There is a separate index to the microfilm collection.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Use of photographic negatives requires an appointment; please contact the photos archivist for more information.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Charles William Ramsdell Papers, 1844-1942, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Angela R. Olivera, January 1986.

Detailed Description of the Papers