Lyndon Baines Johnson collection

Collection

Identifier: 80.300-LBJ

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This artificial collection, compiled by the University News Service circa 1960s-2000s, consists of materials about President Lyndon Baines Johnson and his relationship to his alma mater. The bulk of the collection documents Johnson’s many visits to campus. This collection also includes information about Johnson's early days, his time as a student in San Marcos, and his political career. Following his death in 1973, the News Service continued to gather general news about Johnson and documented campus events and memorials that honored the late president.

Dates

1926-2012
Majority of material found within 1963 - 1973

Creator

Texas State University. University News Service (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Conditions Governing Use

Special Collections and Archives owns the physical items in our collections, but copyright normally belongs to the creator of the materials or their heirs. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, obtaining permission to publish from copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies of Special Collections and Archives material in print or electronic form.

Biographical note

Lyndon Johnson attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College from 1927-1930. He took a year off (1928-1929) to teach at Welhausen School in Cotulla, Texas in order to earn money to continue his education. He graduated with a degree in history and a permanent teaching certificate in 1930. After teaching for a short time, he went to work as a secretary for Congressman Kleburg, beginning his political career. He was later appointed to Texas Director of the National Youth Administration by President Roosevelt. Johnson ran successfully for Congress in 1937 and the Senate in 1948. Following an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1960, he was asked to serve as Vice President by John F. Kennedy. Johnson became president after Kennedy’s assassination, serving the rest of JFK’s term and one of his own.

Throughout his political career, Johnson maintained a close relationship with the college in San Marcos, in all its incarnations. He visited the campus frequently, often several times per year, until his death in 1973. Johnson often credited his experiences at college with shaping his policies on education. In 1965, Johnson chose Southwest Texas State College as the location to sign the Higher Education Act into law.

Johnson, regularly referred to as LBJ, continues to have a presence on the Texas State University campus. The student center was named for LBJ, as was an ongoing lecture series. A statue of LBJ as a student was installed on the quad in September 2006. And in celebration of his 100th birthday in 2008, the university published “Connections: Lyndon B. Johnson in San Marcos.”

Extent

4.17 Linear Feet (Nine Hollinger boxes, three oversize flat box, two negative boxes, 22 books.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Lyndon B. Johnson attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College from 1927-1930. Throughout his political career, Johnson maintained a close relationship with the college in San Marcos, in all its incarnations. He visited the campus frequently, often several times per year, until his death in 1973. This collection was largely compiled by the University News Service and consists of materials about President Lyndon Baines Johnson and his relationship to his alma mater. The bulk of the collection documents Johnson’s many visits to campus.

Arrangement

Due to the absence of a usable original order, arrangement was artificially imposed during processing. Materials are arranged chronologically within the series.

Physical Location

Materials may be stored off-site. Advance notice may be required for use.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Materials received from Pat Murdock, Director of the University News Service. Book collection was donated by various sources over the years and is documented on an item level.

Related Materials

The University Archives maintains other distinct collections related to LBJ and his legacy, including: Lyndon Baines Johnson Distinguished Lecture Series; LBJ Picnic; Higher Education Act anniversaries (11.100.Events); the young LBJ Statue on the Quad; the LBJ Student Center.

Alfred H. Nolle papers (90.200.Faculty.1980.Nolle) contains books related to Lyndon B. Johnson.

Separated Materials

7” reel to reel audio tape: “Dr. Smith’s Administrator’s Report”

7” reel to reel audio tape: “LBJ: Higher Ed. Bill 20th Anniversary Slideshow” Audio cassette: “’LBJ: The Promise of Education’ Slide Show Master (10/85)” Audio cassette: “Robert Hardesty: 10/85” 3 boxes of slides (approximately 300 slides)

7” reel to reel audio tapes (21 items): “02 LBJ as Student” (2 items) “NC-02 LBJ as Student” (2 items) “Johnson’s Last Visit: Dr. Walter Heller, Jan 17, 1973” (2 items) “1965 Higher Ed Bill Signing – LBJ Speech copy” (1 item) “NC 02-110865 LBJ” (1 item) “NC 02-060064 Edna McCormick Interview, LBJ Contact” (1 item) “LBJ at San Marcos Exhibit Dedication Speech” (1 item) “NC 33-081471 LBJ Commencement Speech” (1 item) “NC 33-052762 SWT Commencement and Award to LBJ (1 item) “NC 33-052861 LBJ at Commencement” (2 items) “33-052861 LBJ at Commencement” (1 item) “LBJ’s Homecoming Speech” (1 item) “NC 02-111955 LBJ Homecoming Speech (2 items) “02-111955 LBJ Homecoming Speech (1 item) “LBJ Memorial Service” (2 items)

Audio Cassettes (2) “1965 Higher Education Bill Signing – LBJ” Master Cassette “Congressman Pickle’s Remarks Concerning the Higher Education Act”

VHS Cassette “LBJ at Southwest Texas”

5” reel to reel tape: “SWT Administrators Report President Robert L. Hardesty on LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series.”

Audio cassette: “Rob Patterson” ASG President 1986

7” reel to reel audio tape: “Staser Halftime Master. 8/22/84” (2 items)