Robert Compton in his office at the Dallas Morning News, ca. 1982
A Guide to the Robert Compton Papers
1955-2008
Collection 107
Descriptive Summary
Creator: Robert Compton
Title: Robert Compton Papers
Dates: 1955-2008
Identification: Collection 107
Extent: 28 boxes (16 linear feet)
Language: English
Repository: The Wittliff Collections, Texas State University-San Marcos
Abstract: The Robert Compton papers span 1955-2008 and document the career of the well-respected and long-time Books editor of the Dallas Morning News. The bulk of the collection is the correspondences from book reviewers, journalists, and authors, including Jim Lehrer, Larry McMurtry, Rick Bass, and William Goyen. This collection also is comprised of documents that pertain to the inner-workings of the Dallas Morning News, including changes in writing styles pertaining to race and gender. The collection also contains photographs, cassette tape recordings, and fragile newspapers.
Biographical Sketch/Historical Sketch
Robert “Bob” Compton is a fifth generation Texan. He graduated from Teague High School in 1944. Compton attended Texas A&M University from 1944 through 1945, when he left to join the United States Navy. Compton served in the United States Navy from 1945 through 1946. He then entered Southern Methodist University, majoring in Journalism. He graduated in 1949 and began his first newspaper job as a Reporter for the Pampa (Texas) Daily News. Compton worked at the Pampa Daily News until 1950, when the Garland Daily News hired him as a Reporter. That same year, he joined the newly established Garland Herald as editor, leaving that newspaper in 1956 to become a City Desk reporter for The Dallas Morning News.
In 1957, he became an assistant city editor at The Dallas Morning News, and in 1974 City Desk assignments editor. After serving as Metropolitan Editor in 1974-1975, in 1976 he created and became editor of Focus, a Sunday news feature and analysis section of the News which included a revamped and enlarged books section. He was also charged with supervision of Special Assignments, which included specialty reporters and some columnists. With the retirement in 1981 of longtime book editor Alan Maxwell, Compton managed the book pages until he took the title of Books Editor in 1984 when the Focus section was discontinued and Books moved into the Arts & Entertainment section. He held that title until his retirement in 1998.
Throughout his years at the Dallas Morning News, Compton maintained correspondence with many influential and well-known journalists and writers, including Jim Lehrer, William Goyen, Larry McMurtry, Shelby Hearon, Eddie Weems, and Rick Bass. His correspondence shows long-lasting working relationships, as well as friendships, based on respect and mutual admiration. During his tenure editing books, Compton initiated regular payments for book reviewers, a move that he believes made the Dallas Morning News the first metropolitan newspaper in Texas to do so. His primary reviewers were Texas writers, and in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Books were part of Focus, the pages featured regular features on Texas writers and essays by them.
Compton has been a member of the National Book Critics Circle, the Texas Institute of Letters, and the Texas Folklore Society. He was a 1998 board member of Dallas Poetry in Motion program, which placed cards containing short works by American poets on board city transit system trains and buses. In 1988 he received the Media Award from Book Publishers of Texas. He was named a Living Legend of North Texas Journalism in 2012.
Compton donated his papers to the Wittliff Collection in 2010.
Scope and Content Note
The Robert Compton Collection includes documents that cover the years 1955 through 2008. The collection contains 28 boxes and is 16 linear feet. There are four series within this collection: Series I – Compton Personal Papers, Series II – Correspondence, Series III – Dallas Morning News, and Series IV – Newspapers and Magazines. There are two subseries within Series III. The first of the two subseries is Pre-1976, prior to the creation of the Focus section. This includes Compton’s career as a Reporter and Assistant Editor. The second subseries includes the dates 1976-1998, Compton’s career as Focus and Books Editor. This is the largest of the two subseries. Much of Compton’s Collection has been maintained in its original filing order to maintain the integrity of the collection. However, the contents within the folders have been organized either alphabetically or chronologically. There have been ten books removed to backlog, comprising of: Money and the Soul of the World by Robert J. Sardello and Randolph Severson (1983); Miracles Out of a ’22 Chevy by Leon Hale (Christmas, 1983); uncorrected proof of Into the Lake of the Woods by Tim O’Brien (1994); The Valley by Rolando Hinojosa (1983, signed by author); uncorrected proof of Arcadio: A Novel by William Goyen; The Shaper Poems by James Hoggard (1983, signed by author); Texas History Illustrated (1974, presented by the Houston Chronicle and the Texas Historical Association); Bookways: A Quarterly for the Books Arts (October, 1991, printed and published by W. Thomas Taylor, Number 1); and Texas Places: The Architecture and Design Review of Houston (Fall, 1997).
Series I contains Compton’s personal papers. Included in this series is Compton’s own recounting of his career as the Focus and Books Editor for the Dallas Morning News. Also within this series are correspondences relating to Compton’s retirement.
Series II is comprised of correspondences to and from Compton and book reviewers, publishers, authors, and poets. Within this series are six subject files including: John Graves, William Humphrey, Cormac McCarthy, James Michener, William Morris, and Bryan Woolley. Of particular interest in this series are correspondences that show authors prior to their renowned success. Many of the authors were book reviewers early in their careers. Some of these authors include: Rick Bass, Gene Fowler, William Goyen, A.C. Greene, Steve Harrigan, Shelby Hearon, Elmer Kelton, Beverly Lowry, Larry McMurtry, Paul S. Malone, Jay Milner, Jan Reid, Clay Reynolds, Joyce Roach, C.W. Smith, W.K. Stratton, R.G. Vliet, Donley Watt, and Ed Weems. Compton was also received correspondences from the following Texas writers: Judy Alter, Neal Barrett Jr., Sandra Brown, Mark Busby, and Celia Morris. In addition, this series illustrates the close-knit community between authors, publishers, and editors, with many of the letters referring to fellow authors and so forth.
Series III is subdivided into two main subseries. The first comprises documents of Compton’s career prior to 1976, or the creation of the Focus section of the Dallas Morning News. Of interest in this series are interview notes of Compton and gubernatorial candidate W. Lee O’Daniel; staff information regarding Jim Lehrer, a reporter for the Dallas Morning News from 1958-1960 and the inner-workings of the Dallas Morning News. In particular, this subseries contains information regarding the Civil Rights movements and the changes made in language with regard to African-Americans. It also illustrates how newspaper reporters made changes in how reporting was done when an African-American was the subject, especially regarding reporting of crimes.
The second subseries within Series III, includes the years 1976 through 1998. During this time, Compton was editor of the Focus and Books sections of the Dallas Morning News. Of interest in this series are the inner-workings of the Dallas Morning News, including the shift in updated technology and use of the computer; staff information; Pulitzer Prize winners from the Dallas Morning News, author information, and press kits of notable authors, such as Tim O’Brien, Norman Mailer, Daniel Quinn, and Donley Watt. This subseries is also worthy of attention because of the information contained about the creation of the Focus section and the years dedicated getting it approved, staffed, and the new policies that were needed for the payment of book reviewers and the status of complimentary books. In addition, this series is comprised of information regarding publishing, including correspondences to and from Compton and publishers.
Series IV contains newspapers and magazines Compton saved from 1949 through 2001. This series contains four oversized boxes. In addition, many of the magazines and newspapers within this series are extremely fragile, and great care should be taken when handling. Of particular interest are the copies of the Dallas Morning News (1949-2001). In addition, this series contains the New York Herald Tribune (1963, 1967) that details the shift in power of the presidency to Lyndon B. Johnson after the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
Open for research
Preferred Citation
Robert Compton Papers, The Wittliff Collections, Texas State University-San Marcos
Acquisition Information
Donated by Robert C. Compton
Processing Information
Processed by Jennifer Barkdull, 2012. Much of the collection was preserved in its original filing order to maintain the integrity of the collection.
Notes to Researchers
Many of the newspapers are fragile.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I: Personal Papers, 1975-2001
Box Folder
1 1 Career: Informal recounting of Compton’s career at Dallas Morning News,
listing of donation to Wittliff Collection, honors, letters of congratulations,
photograph
1 2 Retirement: Letters of congratulations, photographs
Series II: Correspondence, 1955-2008
1 3 A-B, 1977-1998
Agrella, Catherine; Allen, C. Leonard; Alter, Judy; Anderson, Kerby;
Angle, Jim; Arthur, Elizabeth; Bailey, Ronald; Baldwin, Dan; Barclay,
Linda; Barrett, Neal; Barton, Frances; Bender, Eileen T.; Benedict,
Elizabeth; Berk, Sally Ann; Bernstein, Dennis; Billue, Sylva; Black,
Baxter; Bloom, John; Bonnell, Pamela; Boothe, Ben B.; Brans, Jo;
Broch, Nathan; Bromley, Larry; Brown, Martha; Brown, Sandra; Bunkley,
Anita; Burrows, M. Denise; Burson, Lynn; Busby, Mark; Includes
correspondences from book reviewers, thank you notes from authors, and
requests from authors
1 4 Abernethy, F.E. [TX Folklore Society, Stephen F. Austin State Univ.],1982-1989
Correspondences about book reviews and folklore society
1 5 Albright, J. F. Bliss, 1983
Correspondence about ABA Newswire
1 6 Albritton, Claude [Southern Methodist University], 1981-1983
Correspondence about book reviews
1 7 Anderson, Patrick, 1981-1991
Correspondence about book reviews, newspaper clipping
1 8 Anderson, Roger [University of Texas at Tyler], 1986-1988
Correspondence about book reviews
2 1-2 Bass, Rick, 1986-2006
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), personal
letters, photographs, cassette tape
2 3 Bauman, Jon, 1992-2000
Correspondence about books written (author)
2 4 Baxter, Gordon, 1980-1984
Correspondence about book reviews (journalist)
2 5 Bennett, Patrick [McMurry College], 1981-1991
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
2 6 Berryhill, Michael, 1986-1987
Correspondence about book reviews
2 7 Bird, Sarah, 1993
Correspondence about books written (author), photographs
2 8 Blickle, Katrina and Michael Pellechia, 1988-1989
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
2 9 Brandon, Jay, 1989-1994
Correspondence about books written (author)
2 10 Buckley, Chris, 1979-1985
Correspondence about book reviews
2 11 Buford, William, 1984-1986
Correspondence about book reviews, poems written (poet), photograph
2 12 Burns, Gerald, 1985
Correspondence about poems written (poet)
2 13 Byrd, Jim [East Texas University], 1987-1991
Correspondence about book reviews
3 1 C-D, 1976-1998
Campbell, Ewing; ____, Carla; Carney, Paul; Carstarphen, Meta G.;
Carter, George F.; Castleberry, Vivian; Cattarulla, K.; Chapman, John S.;
Christison, Kathleen; Clem, Julie and Onnee; Cobb, William J.; Cockrell,
Jane; Cogan, Neil H.; Coggins, Paul; Cohen, Barry Mendel; Cohen,
Harlan P.; Conroy, Mary; Cooper, H.H.A.; Cooper, Richard A.; Cowling,
Will; Crim, W.R. (Billy Bob); Currier, Jameson; Davis, Barbara Kerr;
Davis, Stewart; Dodson, Michael; Doggett, DeWitt; Donovan, Jim;
Dooley, Sally; Dorn, Fred J.; Douglas, Deborah; Downs, Fane; Dupree,
John C.; Dumas, Lloyd (Jeff); Correspondence about book reviews, books
written (authors), thank you letters, complaints about reviews, letters from
publishers
3 2 Callahan, North, 1984-1988
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
3 3 Campbell, Scott, 1981
Correspondence about book reviews
3 4 Capps, Ben, 1980-1983
Correspondence about book reviews
3 5 Carleton, Don [University of Texas at Austin], 1984-1986
Correspondence about book reviews
3 6 Carper, Leslie, 1986-1988
Correspondence about book reviews, photograph
3 7 Carr, Camilla, 1989-1990
Correspondence about books written (author), photograph
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
3 8 Cheuse, Alan, 1991-1994
Correspondence about book reviews
3 9 Christian, George, 1984-1987
Correspondence about book reviews
3 10 Christman, Calvin [Cedar Valley College], 1982
Correspondence recommending book reviewers
3 11 Chute, Carolyn, 1984-2005
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
3 12 Clifford, Craig [Tarleton State University], 1982-1988
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
3 13 Clifton, Daniel [Chronicle Publications], 1987-1988
Correspondence between editors
3 14 Cochran, Mike, 1987-1993
Correspondence (journalist)
3 15 Comer, Suzanne [Southern Methodist University Press], 1990
Correspondence between editors
3 16 Colquitt, Betsy [Texas Christian University], 1983-1984
Correspondence about book reviews
3 17 Condon, Richard, 1981-1994
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), photographs
3 18 Coomer, Joe, 1982-1986
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), newspaper
clipping
3 19 Covici, Pascal, 1989
Correspondence about writings (journalist)
3 20 Cox, Mike, 1985-1988
Correspondence about articles written (journalist), copies of articles
3 21 Cullum, Lee, 1985-1986
Correspondence about book reviews
3 22 Curtis, Tom, 1974-1981
Compton’s personal writing about Curtis, correspondence about articles
written (journalist), magazine
3 23 Dary, David [University of Kansas], 1985-1988
Correspondence about book reviews
4 1 Deaton, John, 1980-1981
Correspondence about book reviews, articles written (journalist)
4 2 Dewlen, Al, 1981-1982
Correspondence about books written (author)
4 3 Dodge, Tom [Mountain View College], 1979-1998
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
4 4 Donnelly, Katherine
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
4 5 Dorris, Michael, 1989-1994
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
4 6 Dugger, Ronnie, 1981-1982
Correpondence about book reviews, books written (author)
4 7 E-H, 1970-2003
Elliott, Norbert; Elmblad, Mary; Erisman, Fred; Farmer, David; Fensch,
Thomas; Ficklen, Mary; Floornoy, Craig; Foreman, Paul; Fox, H.B.;
Foxworth, Sarah Payne; Frailey, Dave; Frame, Helen Dunn; Frome,
Michael; George, Ronald; Gibson, George L.; Goldsborough, Dick;
Grauer, Neil A.; Grigsby, Larry; Gunnell, Donna M.; H____, K.C.; Hall,
M.T.; Hankins, Bailey; Haag, Marty; Harpham, Edward J.; Hazelwood,
Katherine, Hershorn, Tad; Hester, Don; Holksema, Thomas; Hogle,
James; Holland, Max; Holmes, Marjorie; Hong, Terry; Houck, Jim;
Howell, Charlene; Hubbard, ____; Hughes, M.E.; Humphreys, Joel Don;
Hunt, Caroline; Hunter, Bill; Correspondence about book reviews, books
written (authors), thank you letters, complaints about reviews, requests
from authors
4 8 Ennis, Michael, 1992-1993
Correspondence about books written (author)
4 9 Farenthold, Sissey [Wells College], 1979
Correspondence about book reviews
4 10 Faulk, John Henry, 1982-1983
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
4 11 Fehrenbach, T.R., 1980-1983
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
4 12 Flynn, Robert [Trinity University], 1987-2006
Correspondence about books written (author)
4 13 Follett, Ken, 1983
Correspondence about books written (author)
4 14 Fowler, Gene, 1992-1996
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
4 15 Frantz, Joe [University of Texas at Austin], 1981-1982
Correspondence about book reviews
4 16 Furman, Laura, 1980-1982
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), photographs
4 17 Garcia, Ed, 1983-1989
Correspondence about book reviews, articles written (journalist)
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
4 18 Geeslin, Campbell, 1993-1998
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
4 19 Gent, Pete, 1981
Correspondence about book reviews
4 20 Gibbons, Reginald, 1985-1995
Correspondence about book reviews, poems written (poet)
4 21 Gibson, William [Southern Methodist University], 1988-1989
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
4 22 Goetzmann, William [University of Texas at Austin], 1988
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
4 23 Gordon, Roxy, 1983-2000
Correspondence about books reviews, books written, cassette tape,
photograph
5 1 Gould, Joe [Dallas Morning News], 1971-1994
Correspondence about books reviews, books written (author), articles
written (journalist), six photographs, newspaper clippings
5 2 Goyen, William, 1955-1985
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), with his wife
(Doris Roberts, Actress), five photographs, newspaper clippings
5 3 Graham, Don [University of Texas at Austin], 1984-1997
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
5 4 Grant, Lyman
Correspondence about book reviews
5 5 Graves, John, 1980-2004
Subject file about books written (author), six photographs, newspaper
clippings
5 6 Gray, A.W., 1988-1992
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
5 7 Green, Subie [Texas Christian University], 1984-1985
Correspondence about book reviews
5 8 Gregory, Keith [Southern Methodist University], 1996-1998
Correspondence about directory of SMU Press
5 9 Greene, A.C., 1982-1998
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
5 10 Grove, Lloyd, 1978-1989
Correspondence about articles written (journalist)
5 11 Guice, John [University of Southern Mississippi], 1988-1991
Correspondence about book reviews
5 12 Gunter, Pete [North Texas State University], 1980-1985
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
6 1 Haily, Betsy, 1959-1998
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), photograph,
newspaper clipping, information regarding Oliver Haily, Brooke Haily
6 2 Hale, Leon, 1979-1985
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
6 3 Haley, J. Evetts
Correspondence regarding Rosalind Kress Haley Library
6 4 Haley, James, 1981-1994
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), includes
unfinished letter to Oliver Haley, 1959
6 5 Hamric, Roy [University of Texas at Arlington], 1982-2000
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
6 6 Hardberger, Phil, 1982
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
6 7 Hardesty, Robert [Southwest Texas State University], 1983
Correspondence about books written (author), photograph
6 8 Harrigan, Steve [Texas Monthly], 1980-1999
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
6 9 Harris, Leon, 1989-1994
Correspondence about book reviews
6 10 Hearon, Shelby, 1979-1995
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), photograph
6 11 Heath, Layne, 1987-1995
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
6 12 Heat Moon, William Least, 1991-1992
Correspondence about books written (author)
6 13 Hillerman, Tony [University of New Mexico], 1984-1985
Correspondence about book reviews, books written
6 14 Hinojosa-Smith, Rolando, 1982-1996
Correspondence about books written (author), photographs
Book removed to backlog
7 1 Hoggard, Jim, 1982-1989
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
Book removed to backlog
7 2 Holley, Joe, 1981-1991
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), between
editors
7 3 Huff, Tom, 1980
Correspondence about books written (author), includes information about
Jennifer Wilde
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
7 4 Humphrey, William, 1989-1997
Subject file about books written (author)
7 5 Hurt, Harry, 1981
Correspondence about books written (author)
7 6 I-L, 1976-1995
Isaacs, Arnold, K.; James, Caryn; January, Frank; Johnson, Tom;
Johnston, Richard E.; Jun, Kathleen M.; Kafka, Paul; Katz, Todd; Kay,
Mary; ____, Kelly; Kennelly, Laura B.; Kerr, J.; Kilgore, Richard B.;
Klein, Gerald J.; Kotz, Nick; Kraeplin, Camille R.; Lalla, Bill; Lang,
Kathryn M.; Lange, Pam; LaSalle, Peter; ____, Laura; Lauricella,
Francis E.; Ledbetter, Mindi; ____, Leslie; Lincecum, Jerry B.; Lo,
Steven C.; Logan, Liz; Long, Douglas K.; Long, Julian; Longfellow,
David; Lynskey, Edward C.; Lynum, Curtis O.; Correspondence about
Book reviews, books written (author), thank you letters, requests from
authors, complaints about book reviews
7 7 Johnson, Greg, 1985-1990
Correspondence about books reviews, books written (author)
7 8 Johnson, William Weber, 1980-1992
Correspondence about book reviews, books and articles written (author
and journalist), newspaper clippings
Compton’s notes: See Elizabeth Ann McMurray
7 9 Jones, G. William [Southern Methodist University], 1980-1982
Correspondence about book reviews
7 10 Kanellos, Nick [University of Houston], 1988
Correspondence about books written (author), photograph
7 11 Kelton, Elmer, 1981-1988
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
7 12 King, Stephen [Philtrum Press, Owner], 1987
Correspondence about publishing, Don Robertson
7 13 Koster, Rick, 1992-1996
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
7 14 Lacy, Allen [Stockton State College], 1979-1987
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
7 15 Leaton, Anne, 1984-1993
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), newspaper
clipping
7 16 Lee, James Ward
Correspondence about book reviews
7 17 Lehrer, Jim, 1989-2006
Correspondence about news articles (journalist), personal correspondence
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
7 18 Letts, Billie, 1995-1999
Correspondence about books written (author)
7 19 Lindsey, David, 1980-1998
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
7 20 Lopez, Barry, 1980
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
7 21 Lowe, Richard [North Texas State University], 1983-1984
Correspondence about book reviews
7 22 Lowry, Beverly, 1981-1989
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
7 23 Lyman, Lloyd [Texas A&M Press]
Correspondence about publishing
8 1 M, 1975-1998
McCartney, Scott; McCombs, Holland; McFarland, Keith D.; McGrain,
Linda; McQuarrie, Jack; Magnino, Lisa L.; Magerino, Susan; Maloy,
Robert; Martin, Amy; Martin, Gyde; Martin, W.B.J.; Maurice, S. Charles;
Middleton, David; Middleton, Mary Margaret; Milam, Michael; Milan,
Karen; Milazzo, Lee; Miller, ____; Miller, Jan; Miller, Zack; Milligan,
Mike; Mills, Helen L.; Mills, Hilary; Mitchell, Glenn; Moeller, Beverley;
Moore, Dennis; Morris, Anne; Morris, Celia; Morthland, John; Mosley,
Richard; Murchison, Bill; Murphy, Patrick; Musgrove, Stanley;
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), author
requests, thank you letters, newspaper clippings
8 2 MacKintosh, Prudence, 1980-1988
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author),
photograph
8 3 McCarthy, Cormac, 1992-2006
Subject file about books written (author) and newspaper clipping
8 4 McDonald, Walt, 1988-2000
Correspondence about poems written (poet), newspaper clipping
8 5 McFadden, Dennis [University of Texas at Austin], 1981
Correspondence about book reviews
8 6 McGinnis, Bruce [Amarillo College], 1981-1982
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
8 7 McLean, Malcolm [University of Texas at Arlington], 1980-1986
Correspondence about books written (author)
8 8 McMurray, Elizabeth H., 1980-1994
Correspondence about bookstore, newspaper clippings, copies
of newspaper articles (1951-1958)
Compton’s notes: See Wm. Weber Johnson
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
8 9 McMurtry, Larry, 1983-2005
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), and letters of
complaint regarding interviews
8 10 McNamee, Laurence [East Texas State University], 1978-2006
Correspondence about books written (author), four photographs,
newspaper clipping
8 11 McNeely, David, 1976-1977
Correspondence about articles (journalist)
8 12 Malone, Paul S., 1992-2000
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
8 13 Marcus, Stanley, 1982-1998
Correspondence about book reviews, books published (publisher)
8 14 Marks, Paula, 1990
Correspondence about books written (author)
8 15 Matusow, Allen [Rice University], 1984
Correspondence about books written (author)
8 16 Maverick, Maury, 1981
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
8 17 Maxwell, Allenk [Dallas Morning News], 1979-1981
Correspondence about book editor of newspaper
8 18 Mewshaw, Michael [U. of TX at Austin, American Acad. in Rome], 1980-1983
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
9 1 Michener, James, 1983-1986
Subject file about books written (author)
9 2 Miller, Vassar, 1982
Correspondence about poems written (poet), newspaper clippings
9 3 Milligan, Bryce, 1984-1986
Correspondence about book reviews, poems written (poet)
9 4 Milner, Jay, 1979-1985
Correspondence about book reviews
9 5 Morris, Willie, 1983
Subject file about books written, photograph
9 6 Moss, Chuck, 1987-1988
Correspondence about book reviews, articles written (journalist)
9 7 Mossiker, Frances, 1979-1985
Correspondence about book reviews, books written, photograph,
newspaper clippings
9 8 Nathaniel, Isabel, 1996
Correspondence about poems written (poet)
9 9 Nichols, Peggy, 1979-1998
Correspondence about book reviews, newspaper clipping
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
9 10 Nye, Naomi Shehab, 1982-1995
Correspondence about book reviews, poems written (poet), photographs
9 11 O-P, 1976-1994
Oldham, Virginia L.; Orms, Tom; Ornish, Natalie; Osborne, Burl;
Patterson, Paige; Pederson, Rena; Perdue, Richard M.; Perry, Thomas A.;
Peterson, Jane; Phillips, Warren H.; Pimm, Lilian C.; Pitts, Joe W.; Potts,
Terry; Preston, Harry; Price, Deb; ____, Priscilla; Correspondence about
book reviews, books written (author), thank you notes, complaints about
book reviews
9 12 Osborn, Carolyn, 1985
Correspondence about suggested book reviewer
9 13 Owens, William A., 1982-1988
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), four
photographs
9 14 Payne, Darwin, 1985-1996
Correspondence about books written (author)
9 15 Perrine, Laurence, 1986-1990
Correspondence about poems written (poet)
9 16 Pilkington, Tom, 1986-1998
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
9 17 Pringle, Terry, 1982-1996
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), newspaper
clippings
10 1 Purvis, Hoyt [University of Arkansas], 1984-1989
Correspondence about book reviews
10 2 Q-R, 1983-1990
Quaid, Glenn; Rapaport, Richard; Ray, Karen; Reed, Ronald; Reyes,
Angel; Rice, Pamela; Rich, Mark S.; Richman, Susan; Risenhoover, C.C.;
Roberts, Tim; Robertson, Robert L.; Rollo, Ned; Rosen, Dan; Rost,
Stephen; Routt, Edd; Correspondence about book reviews, author
requests, thank you letters, photograph
10 3 Rabe, Stephen [University of Texas at Dallas], 1983-1984
Correspondence about book reviews
10 4 Railey, Walter, 1982
Correspondence about book reviews
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
10 5 Rechy, John, 1983-1992
Correspondence about books written (author), copies of newspaper
articles
10 6 Redd, Louise, 1998
Correspondence about book reviews
10 7 Reynolds, Clay, 1986-1997
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
10 8 Rigler, Judyth, 1984-1987
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), newspaper
clipping
10 9 Roach, Joyce, 1989-1991
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
11 1 Roberts, Kent, 1987-1989
Correspondence about book reviews
11 2 Rodriguez, Richard, 1982-2000
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
11 3 Rossiter, Frank [University of Texas at Dallas], 1976-1980
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
11 4 Rubin, Louis [Algonquin Books], 1986-1991
Correspondence about publishing
11 5 Runnels, Steve, 1988
Correspondence about book reviews
11 6 Rushing, Jane, 1982
Correspondence about books written (author)
11 7 S, 1969-1998
Salazar, Ramiros; Sall, Larry D.; Schaefer, Frank; Schirmer, Gregory A.;
Seagraves, Eleanor R.; Seale, Jan Epton; Shaffer, Richard A.; Shant, Jane;
Shapard, Robert; Shattuck, Robert D.; Shepard, Martin; Sherman,
Laurel G.; Shuford, Gene; Sigwald, John; Simmons, Tom J.; Simpson,
Henry; Slattery, Dennis; Sloan, Ledgerwood; Snodgrass, E.H.; Snyder,
Bill; Snyder, Marion S.; St. John, Bob; Stacy, Dennis; Stapleton, Tom;
Stevenson, Margaret; Stott, William M.; Stuckey, Bill; Swank, Patsy;
Swindle, Howard; Correspondence about book reviews, author requests,
thank you letters, photograph
11 8 Sallis, James, 1981-1994
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
11 9 Sampson, Curt, 1991-1995
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
11 10 Sanders, Bob Ray
Correspondence about book reviews
11 11 Sanders, Leonard, 1980-1984
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
11 12 Sanford, Annette, 1989-1998
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
11 13 Scharnhorst, Gary [University of New Mexico], 1981-1993
Correspondence about book reviews
11 14 Schlossstein, Steven B., 1982-1984
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
11 15 Schulte, Rainer, 1981-1982
Correspondence about book reviews
11 16 Schutze, Jim, 1986
Correspondence about books written (author)
11 17 Scofield, Sandra, 1993-1997
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
11 18 Seligmann, Jr., Gus [North Texas State University], 1980
Correspondence about books written (author), photograph
11 19 Shearer, Bill (1982-1996)
Correspondence about books written (author), publishing books
11 20 Sherrill, Robert, 1980-1994
Correspondence about book reviews
12 1 Shuler, Linda Lay, 1987-1998
Correspondence about books written (author)
12 2 Slate, Audry [University of Texas at Austin], 1983
Correspondence about book reviews
12 3 Smith, C.W., 1985-1991
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
12 4 Smith, Henry Nash, 1986
Correspondence about books written (author)
12 5 Spann, Philip C., 1981-1989
Correspondence about book reviews
12 6 Staines, David, 1981-1987
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
12 7 Stowers, Carlton, 1970-1996
Correspondence about books written (author)
12 8 Stratton, W.K. (Kip), 1990-1999
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
12 9 Swift, Edward, 1982-1990
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
12 10 Swindell, Larry [Dallas Morning News], 1998
Correspondence about newspaper (editor, journalist), newspaper clipping,
Pulitzer Prize winner
12 11 T-Z, 1979-1996
Tasma, Jean Marie; Taylor, Sheila; Teague, William J.; Thompson,
Lou Ann; Thompson, Thomas H.; Trickett; David G.; Turrentine, Jeff;
Tynes, Teresa; Vawrinek, Jeffrey J.; Waldron, Ann; Warner, Sharon Oard;
Watkins, Kay; West, Richard; Wheeler, John A.; Williams, Rittal; Wilson,
Laura; Wolfe, Jane; Young, Mark W.; Yarbrough, David; Yemma, Mark;
Zagst, Michael; Correspondence about book reviews, thank you letters,
Author requests, photograph, copies of newspaper articles
12 12 Taylor, Henry, 1979-1986
Correspondence about bookstore
12 13 Taylor, Marshall [Southern Methodist University], 1980-1988
Correspondence about book reviews, newspaper clipping
12 14 Tinkle, Lon, 1979-1993
Correspondence about books written (author), pencil drawing
12 15 Trammell, Robert and Gerald Burns, 1985-1987
Correspondence about poems written (poet)
12 16 Tucker, Chris, 1981
Correspondence about book reviews, newspaper clipping
13 1 Vick, Fran, 1981-2008
Correspondence about books written (author), publishing, newspaper
clipping
13 2 Vliet, Ann and R.G., 1985-1991
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), three
photographs
13 3 Voigt, Elsie, 1986-1989
Correspondence about book reviews
13 4 Wagner, Sherry, 1980
Correspondence about book reviews
13 5 Walker, Dale, 1986-1990
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), newspaper
clippings
13 6 Wardlaw, Frank [Texas A&M Press], 1974-1986
Correspondence about publishing, photograph, newspaper clipping
13 7 Watt, Donley [Trinity University], 1988-2001
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), newspaper
clipping
Series II – Correspondence, continued
Box Folder
13 8 Weber, David [Southern Methodist University], 1980-1983
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), newspaper
clipping
13 9-10 Weems, Ed, 1980-1999
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), photographs,
newspaper clippings
14 1 Wells, Lawrence and Dean Faulkner Wells, 1988-1996
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
14 2 White, James, 1977-1985
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author), newspaper
clipping
14 3 Whitman, Alden, 1981-1983
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
14 4 Wier, Allen, 1989
Correspondence about books written (author)
14 5 Williams, Lynna [Emory University], 1989-1990
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
14 6 Winckler, Suzanne, 1985-1986
Correspondence about book reviews
14 7 Wood, Jane Roberts, 1987-2005
Correspondence about books written (author), photographs, newspaper
clipping
14 8 Woods, Christopher, 1988
Correspondence about book reviews
14 9 Woolley, Bryan, 1988-1991
Subject file about articles written (journalist), newspaper clippings
14 10 Wright, Lawrence, 1986-2001
Correspondence about books written (author)
14 11 Yarborough, Ralph, 1980-1982
Correspondence about article, State Senator
14 12 Yates, David, 1983-1985
Correspondence about poems written (poet), newspaper clippings
14 13 Zigal, Tom, 1987-1994
Correspondence about book reviews, books written (author)
Series III: Dallas Morning News, 1955-2007
Dallas Morning News Pre-1976
14 14 Early Stories and Notes, 1956-1958
Includes notes for stories written, including interview notes from
Gubernatorial candidate W. Lee O’Daniel, Stanley Walker
14 15 In-House Papers, 1955-1975
Includes memos, desk assignments, news reporting ideas, inner
newspaper workings, advertising, how to write racial
identifications, complaints, office fun, staffing, newspaper clipping
Staff
15 1 Lehrer, Jim, 1958-1960
Includes biography by Compton, memos, reporter notes
15 2 Story Ideas
Includes memos, newspaper clippings
Dallas Morning News, 1976-1998
15 3-4 In-House Papers, 1976-1998
Includes memos, reporting assignments, inner newspaper
workings, advertising and sales, complaints, office fun, staffing,
newspaper clippings, photographs, retirements, Pulitzer Prize
winners at Dallas Morning News
Staff
15 5 Anders, John, 1976-1977
Includes memos, newspaper clippings
15 6 Biffle, Kent, 1968-2003
Includes memos, letters of commendation, letters of
complaint (about articles), article notes, receipts,
newspaper clipping
15 7 Decherd, Robert, 1978-1996
Includes memos, correspondence
15 8 Hinshaw, Mike, 1980-1983
Includes story ideas, letters of commendation, receipts
15 9 Sims, Mark, 1976-1980
Includes memos, letters of commendation, court records,
newspaper clippings, photographs
Series III – Dallas Morning News, continued
Box Folder
Dallas Morning News, 1976-1998, continued
16 1 The Press, 1970-2004
Includes newspaper “war” between Dallas Morning News and
Dallas Times Herald, Pulitzer Prize article from Fort Worth Star-
Telegram, press release regarding Dallas Morning News, articles
regarding Tony Castro, remarks from Walter Cronkite (also found
at Lyndon B. Johnson Library)
16 2-3 Story Ideas, 1976-1998
Includes memos, correspondences, newspaper clippings, RECAP,
UT News, photographs
16 4 Stories, 1976-1998
Includes completed articles, memos
Focus
16 5 First Weeks, 1976
Includes Compton’s personal notes, copies of initial issues
16 6 In-House Papers (1 of 2), 1976-1998
Includes memos, correspondences, advertising, staff
assignments, letters of commendation, letters of complaint,
policies, story ideas, minutes from meetings, design plates
for Book Pages, newspaper clippings
17 1 In-House Papers (2 of 2), 1976-1998
Includes memos, correspondences, advertising, staff
assignments, letters of commendation, letters of complaint,
policies, story ideas, minutes from meetings, design plates
for Book Pages, newspaper clippings
17 2 Focus Art
Includes pen ink drawings by Bob Kolsti, Robin Tareaux
17 3 Stories, 1984-1991
Includes “A sampling – features and book notes from
Book Pages,” stories written by Compton, photograph
17 4 Book Policy, 1976-1996
Includes what to do with complimentary books after being
reviewed, reasons for book reviewing, book sales statistics
Series III – Dallas Morning News, continued
Box Folder
Dallas Morning News, 1976-1998
Focus, continued
17 5 Contacts – Books
Includes contact information for book reviewers,
publishers, authors
17 6 Notebook, 1996-1997
Includes daily notes from phone calls
17 7 Texas Book Themes, 1980-1998
Includes information about race, James Michener’s Texas
17 8 Poetry In Motion, 1998
Includes information about including poetry on
transportation (metro, buses)
17 9 Authors (National)
Includes information about Auster, Barnes, Julian; Paul;
Blout, Roy; Carver, Raymond; Crews, Harry; DeLillo,
Don; Eco, Umberto; Elkin, Stanley; Gibbons, Kay; Gould,
Stephen Jay; Kidder, Tracy; McInerney, Jay; McGuane,
Thomas; Mailer, Norman; Mukherjec, Bharati; Price,
Reynolds; Rhodes, Richard; Roth; Sheehan, Neil; Siddons,
Anne River; Singer, I.B.; Stone, Robert; Woiwode, Larry;
Yardley, Jonathan
18 1 Authors (Texas)
Includes information, press releases, articles, and
newspaper clippings about Adams, Michael; Barthelme,
Donald; Bonds, Parris Afton; Bramer, Sidney; Breeder,
James; Brown, Rosellen; Bryant, Dean Keith; Burke, James
Lee; Carter, George; Chandra, Vikram; Condon, Richard;
Cousins, Margaret; Davis, John Porterfield; Davis, Rod;
DeHaloff, Henry; DeMannis, Rick; Divine, Robert;
Edwards, Anne; Fairchild, Jr., H.H.; Gibson, Jewel;
Griffith, Patricia, Browning; Goldbarth, Albert; Goyen,
William; Greene, A.C.; Hale, Leon; Hamilton, Dagmar;
Harrison, Payne; Hudgins, Andrew; Humphreys, Joel Don;
Jones, Stephen Graham; Kruh, Nancy; Lea, Tom; Llwelyn,
Morgan; McClellan, Tom; Maguire, Jack; Mewshaw,
Michael; Morgan, D. Miller; Mullen, Harryette; Nance,
Joseph Milton; Nelson, Bobby Jack; Niven, Penelope;
Northcott, Kaye; Nunn, William Curtis; Oliver, Chad;
Porter, Katherine Anne; Porterfield, Nolan; Powell, Padget;
Quinn, Jim; Rice, Anne; Richard, Mark; Schott, Richard;
Series III – Dallas Morning News, continued
Box Folder
Dallas Morning News, 1976-1998
Focus
18 1 Authors (Texas), continued
Schutze, Jim; Scobie, Ingrid Winther; Solomon, Robert;
Stead, Christina; Strother, Lester; Sullivan, Jim; Tippette,
Giles; Turpley, Fred; Weismann, Donald; Weiss, Philip;
Whitehead, Fred; Wier, Allan; Williams, Lynna; Wood,
Susan; Wozencraft, Kim
Press Kits
18 2 Algonquin Books
Includes Fall, 1990 Sampler, press kits for Kaye Gibbons,
Larry Brown, photographs
18 3 Dallek, Robert
Includes press kits for Lone Star Rising Lyndon B. Johnson
And His Times, 1908-1960
18 4 Faulk, John Henry
Includes press kit for The Uncensored, photograph
18 5 Glimmer Train Stories
Includes Adams, Steven; Binham, Sallie; Byl, Christine;
Engberg, Susan; Enger, Lin; Griesenner, John; McPhee,
Jenny Drake; Machart, Bruce
18 6 Hailey, Elizabeth Forsyth
Includes press kit for Joanna’s Husband and David’s Wife
18 7 Mailer, Norman
Includes press kit for Oswald’s Tale, two photographs
18 8-9 O’Brien, Tim
Includes early galleys of In the Lake of the Woods (typed), National Author Tour – The Things They Carried
18 10 Quinn, Daniel
Includes press kits for Ishmael and Providence, photograph
18 11 Skimm, Robert
Includes press kits for Gray Victory, photograph
19 1 Watt, Donley
Includes copies of various stories (typed)
19 2 Miscellaneous
Includes Stone Drug Magazine, Oxford American
(John Grisham – Publisher, photograph), People, December
9, 1991 – includes article about Molly Irvins), Texas Books
in Review, Current Books, Armstrong Browning Library,
The Library of America (photograph), Flair
Series III – Dallas Morning News, continued
Box Folder
Dallas Morning News, 1976-1998, continued
Press and Publishers
19 3 African-American Literary Review, 1993
Includes book reviews, news, industry trends, and issues
that affect the African-American literary community
19 4 Book Publishers
Includes correspondences, press releases (alphabetized),
memo, photographs
19 5 Book Club of Texas, 1978-1994
Includes notes, correspondences, newspaper clippings,
photocopy of Southwest Review (Spring, 1936)
Item moved to backlog
19 6 Book Stores – Texas
Includes correspondences, book lists, prices, book store
closings, press releases (alphabetized), photographs
19 7 Dallas Journalism Review
Includes Dallas Journalism Review (1973-1974), Texas
Journalism Review (1975)
19 8 Dallas Underground Press
Includes Dallas Observer (1980-1981), Dallas News
(1971 – includes Gay Pride issue)
20 1 National Book Critics Circle, 1980-1986
Includes information about upcoming books, trends,
business, correspondence
20 2 North Texas Skeptic, 1992
Includes correspondence, The Skeptic, The Comedy Wire –
humor, entertainment, book reviews, and articles about
pseudo-science
20 3 Smith College Club of Dallas, 1979-1983
Includes literary awards and press release, correspondence
20 4 Southern Methodist University, 1978-1984
Includes correspondences, press releases, newspaper
articles, author information
20 5 Texas A & M Press, 1983-2007
Includes correspondences, press releases
20 6 Texas Baskerville Press, 1993-1997
Includes correspondences, press releases, book catalogs
(book lists and pricing)
20 7 Texas Book Publications, 1982-1990
Includes correspondences, press releases, book catalogs
20 8 Texas Corona Press, 1981-1989
Includes correspondences, press releases, book catalogs
Series III – Dallas Morning News, continued
Box Folder
Dallas Morning News, 1976-1998
Press and Publishers, continued
20 9 Texas Monthly Press, 1981-1989
Includes correspondences, press releases, book catalogs
20 10 Texas Publishers Association, 1981-1988
Includes press releases, publishers digest
20 11 Texas Presses, 1978-1999
Includes correspondences, press releases, fiction and poetry
contest winners, photographs
Item moved to backlog
21 1 Texas Pressworks, 1983-1987
Includes correspondences, book releases, book catalogs
21 2 Texas Saybrook Press, 1985-2005
Includes press release, funeral program, author information
21 3 Texas Shearer Publishing, 1982-1996
Includes press releases, book catalogs, copies of newspaper
articles, photographs
21 4 Texas Southern Methodist University Press, 1982-2004
Includes correspondences, press releases, newspaper
clippings, book jacket
21 5 Texas Still Point Press, 1984-1993
Includes correspondences, press releases
21 6 Texas University of Texas Press, 1981-1998
Includes correspondences, press releases
21 7 Texas Publishers Association, 1981-1985
Includes press releases, Publishers Digest
21 8 Writers News, 1990-1992
Includes official publication of Texas Writers Association
Literary Awards
21 9 American Book Awards, 1980-1982
Includes lists of nominees, invitation to award ceremony
21 10 Governor’s Sesquincentennial Conference on the Literary Arts
Includes program (1986), notes, spiral notebook
21 11 Texas Literary Hall of Fame, 2004
Includes program, ticket, bookmark – Friends of the Fort
Worth Public Library, Inc.
21 12 Texas Literary Tradition, 1983-1986
Includes correspondences, program
Series III – Dallas Morning News, continued
Box Folder
Dallas Morning News, 1976-1998, continued
Institutes and Societies
21 13 Center for Texas Studies [North TX St. Univ.], 1986-1987
Includes correspondences, list of charter members
22 1 Dallas Institute, 1982-1985
Includes correspondences, program (“What Makes a City,”
“The Economics of Taste”), report to city council, course
and lecture listings
22 2 Eugene C. Barker Texas History Center, 1989-1995
Includes newsletters, The Compass Rose, Center for
American History
22 3 Pen Texas, 1995-2006
Includes newsletters, invitations
22 4 Texas Committee on Humanities, 1983-1985
Includes programs, grant announcements
22 5 Texas Folklore Society, 1981-1985
Includes correspondence (see Abernethy), memos,
programs
Series IV: Newspapers and Magazines, 1948-2001
22 6 American Journal, 1972-1973
Includes articles, book club selections
22 7 AT Random, 1992-1993
Includes Random House magazine
22 8 The Borzoi Reader, 1989-1995
Includes Book excepts
22 9 Concho River Review, 1979-1990
Includes book excepts, reviews, Stone Drum, The Kenyon Review
23 1 Current Books, 1992-1995
Includes book excerpts
23 2 D – The Magazine of Dallas, 1974
Includes culture, book excerpts, arts and entertainment
23 3 D – The Doubleday Magazine for Book Lovers, 1992, 1995
Includes book excerpts and descriptions
23 4 The Oxford American, “The Magazine from the South,” 1992-1995
Includes book excerpts, poetry, Southern music issue
23 5-6 Texas Books in Review [Tarleton State University], 1982-1994
Includes articles and reviews of books
Series IV: Newspapers and Magazines, continued
Box Folder
24 1 The Texas Humanist, 1978-1982
Includes articles and reviews
24 2 The Texas Observer, “A Journal of Free Voices,” 1974-1985
Includes articles, editors include Kaye Northcott and Molly Irvins
24 3 Various Single Issue Magazines
Includes Atlantic Monthly (1975), Balcones (1987), Works in
Progress (1991), Four Winds (1982), Poets and Writers (1995),
Reckon (1995), Smithsonian (1980), Vanity Fair (1982)
Oversized – Newspapers and Magazines
25 1 Dallas Morning News, 1949-2001
Includes typed notes from Compton, Arts and
Entertainment (1984), Book Pages (1949-1976), Book
Pages – Annual Christmas Book Sections (1950-1965),
Focus (1983-1984), High Profile (1988-2001),
Metropolitan (1986, 1988), Sunday Reader (1996, 1998,
1999), Texas and Southwest (1993, 1998)
26 1 Dallas Morning News Mounted “Books” Pages and “Focus” Pages
Includes mounted pages from the pre-run
newspaper
26 2 Dallas Morning News – 25 Years Later
Includes newspaper article about John F. Kennedy’s
assassination, 25 years later
26 3 Southwest Klansman
Includes Volume 1, Number 1, published in
Dallas, Texas
26 4 Vortex, 1986-1988
Includes critical reviews
26 5 Various Single Issue Magazines
Includes Bright Leaf (1997), Grove Atlantic New Fiction
(1995)
27 1 Bookletter, 1975, 1977
Very fragile, published by Harpers Magazine
27 2 The Texas Humanist, 1983-1985
A review of idea, history, culture
28 1 Lone Star Book Review, 1979-1981
28 2 New York Herald Tribune, 1963, 1967
Very fragile, includes typed notes from Compton, and
information about John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson
28 3 Various Single Newspapers and Magazines
Very fragile, includes New York Times Book Review
(1992), Westward (1985), Rolling Stone (1973), Holiday
(1948)
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