C. Ervin Doyle papers

Collection

Identifier: 90.100-Alumni-1983-Doyle

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of correspondence, printed material, newspaper clippings, photographs, ephemera, and audiovisual materials that document the life and times of C. Ervin Doyle. Of note is a home video film Doyle created which shows imagery of Lyndon B. Johnson.

Materials are arranged into five series by type of material. Series 1: Military materials; Series 2: Personal materials; Series 3: Professional materials; Series 4: Printed Material; Series 5: Multimedia.

Dates

1930-1985

Creator

Doyle, C. Ervin, 1906-1983 (Person)

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.

Right to copy film "Characters I Have Known" remain with Larry E. Doyle, donor.

Biographical note

C. Ervin Doyle was born on June 22, 1906 in Cuero, Texas. His parents, William and Peggy, moved their eight children to San Marcos in 1910. Doyle briefly attended West End Elementary until he was chosen to attend the Teacher training school on the campus of Southwest Texas State Normal School. He continued his education at Southwest Texas until he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1931. He returned for his Master’s degree, which he received in 1940. While attending classes, he befriended future U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and SWT president, C.E. Evans.

After graduation, Doyle taught throughout the state as a Spanish teacher and doubled as a coach for a few years. He was later elected Superintendent of Jefferson County schools in 1934. He would hold this office, based in Beaumont, Texas, at various times until his retirement in 1963.

The Second World War had a profound effect on Doyle. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and served in Europe during the latter part of the war. Captain Doyle received the Bronze Star Medal for service in 1944. He returned to his position as superintendent after the war, but was recalled to active duty shortly thereafter in 1947. During his service he was the military science instructor in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program at the University of Puerto Rico. He drew upon his experiences as a teacher and his proficiency in Spanish. He retired as a colonel in 1959.

Doyle returned to Beaumont to resume his post as superintendent, until he relocated to Louisiana to become the chairman of a chain of photography studios in 1963. He retired from that position in 1969, and relocated back to San Marcos. Doyle played an important role in the establishment in SWT’s alumni foundation and served as its first chairman. In that position, he was instrumental in acquiring what would become the L.B.J. Alumni House. For his contribution to the University, he was named a distinguished alumnus in 1974. He continued to remain active in the alumni foundation until he died on January 24, 1983.

Extent

4.95 Linear Feet (1 document box, 4 flat boxes (13 x 17 and 15 x 22), and 1 oversized photograph (vertical map case).)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

C. Ervin Doyle is a distinguished alumnus of Texas State Normal School (now Texas State University) and is connected to Lyndon B. Johnson, and helped establish the University’s alumni foundation. This collection consists of materials that document Doyle’s life.