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Frank E. Vandiver papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0348
Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Scope and Contents

The papers of Frank Everson Vandiver (1925-), former Professor of History, Acting-President, and Provost of Rice University span the years 1947 through 1977 and total 13 linear feet.. A well-known historian and recipient of many awards and prizes, Vandiver later left Rice to become President of North Texas State University, and eventually President of Texas A&M University.

The collection consists of nine boxes of correspondence, manuscripts, and other material generated by Vandiver as a historian, writer, teacher, and lecturer. Some materials predate his arrival at Rice University; however, the bulk of the collection was generated during his tenure at Rice. Papers generated by Vandiver in his administrative positions (Provost, Acting-President, Brown College Master, History Dept. Chairman) are not included in the collection -- the guide section entitled "Related Collections in the Woodson Research Center" gives a brief description of those materials, as well as access information.

Dates

  • 1947 - 1977

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

Use Restrrictions

Permission to publish from the Frank E. Vandiver papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical Note

Frank Everson Vandiver was born on December 9, 1925 in Austin, Texas to Harry Schultz and Maude Folmsbee Everson Vandiver. During World War II, Vandiver was appointed Historian for the Army Services Forces Depot in San Antonio, Texas. After World War II ended, Vandiver attended the University of Texas, where he earned his Master of Arts degree in 1949 before ever earning his high school diploma, which he was awarded by Houston Independent School District in 1969. Vandiver then went on to earn his Ph.D. in 1951 from Tulane University. In 1952, he married his first wife, Carol Sue Smith, who later died in 1979.

After he finished schooling, Vandiver began teaching. He came to Rice University in 1955 and became a full history professor in 1958. While at Rice, Vandiver served as the chairman of the History and Political Science Department, master of Brown College, provost, vice president, and acting-president. Obtaining sponsorship from Rice in 1963, Vandiver started the Papers of Jefferson Davis documentary project. The project is now the world’s largest collection of Davis documents. In 1979, Vandiver left Rice to become president of the University of North Texas and later became president of Texas A&M University from 1981 to 1988. He married his second wife, Renee Aubry Carmody, in 1981. After finishing his presidency at A&M, Vandiver began devoting more of his time to research and writing.

Vandiver wrote a considerable amount of books, mostly about the American Civil War, during his lifetime. He also received several awards, including the Jefferson Davis Award from the Confederate Memorial Lit. Society and the Harry S. Truman Award from the Kansas City Civil War Round Table. Vandiver died in College Station, Texas on January 7, 2005.

Extent

13 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Overview

The papers of Frank Everson Vandiver (1925-), former Professor of History, Acting-President, and Provost of Rice University consist chiefly of correspondence, manuscripts, and other material generated by Vandiver as a historian, writer, teacher, and lecturer at Rice University. See "Related Materials" note for information on Vandiver's records as an administrator.

Aquisition Information

A gift of Dr. Vandiver, the majority was received throughout the 1960s. Additional papers were received in 1982.

Related Material

As a faculty member at Rice University, Dr. Vandiver was called upon to do more than teach. He served as Chairman of the History and Political Science Department in 1962-63, and as Chairman of the History Department in 1968-69. On March 20, 1969, he was appointed Acting-President of the university. He remained in that position until September 1, 1970, after which he assumed the position of Provost.

The following record groups contain materials generated during the period in which Vandiver held an administrative position:
  • History Department. Papers, 1955-1975.
  • President's Office. Papers, 1908-
  • Provost's Office. Papers, 1964-1980.
  • Title
    Guide to the Frank E. Vandiver papers, 1947-1977
    Status
    Under Revision
    Date
    2009
    Description rules
    Describing Archives: A Content Standard
    Language of description
    English
    Script of description
    Latin
    Language of description note
    English

    Repository Details

    Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

    Contact:
    Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
    6100 Main St.
    Houston Texas 77005 USA