Mary Beth Fleischer worked as an assistant librarian at the Barker
Texas History Center Library (later the Center for American History) for 32
years, mainly dealing with the technical and bibliographic aspects of the
library. She started at the Barker Texas History Center in 1961 and received a
master’s degree from the University of Texas Graduate School of Library Science
in 1963. Additionally, she conducted extensive research into the life of
Antoinette Lea Bledsoe Powers Robert, the sister of Sam Houston’s wife,
Margaret Moffette Lea Houston. Antoinette Lea (1823-1891) was very influential
in the Texas Baptist church, especially after marrying her third husband,
preacher William H. Roberts. They traveled the state establishing Sunday
schools and training African-American preachers. Despite studying Antoinette
Lea for twenty years, Fleischer never published any of this research. However,
she has published many book reviews and in 1969 she edited and published
historian Dudley Goodall Wooten’s article “Perversions of History” in the
Correspondence, research materials, drafts, administrative records, and notes comprise the Mary Beth Fleischer Papers, 1960s-1993, and relate to Fleischer’s career at the Barker Texas History Center and her extensive research concerning Antoinette Lea Bledsoe Powers Robert. The research traces Lea’s relationship with her sister, Margaret Moffette Lea Houston, and her influence on the Baptist church in the late 19th century. Additionally, the papers include materials on her three husbands: William Bledsoe, Charles Powers, and William H. Robert. Furthermore, the papers contain research files, correspondence, and drafts pertaining to Dudley Goodall Wooten’s article “Perversions of History.” In addition to her research materials, the papers contain Fleischer’s administrative records concerning her involvement in a project at the History Center to identify important Texas imprints and broadsides. Finally, the papers include a biographical file and records detailing her involvement with professional associations, such as the Texas Library Association and the American Association for State and Local History.
The collection is open for research use.
Mary Beth Fleischer Papers, 1960s-1993, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
Some material has been moved to the PPC files and the Library Unit.
See also the Margaret Moffette Lea Houston Letters.
This collection was processed by Megan Mummey, August 2010.