The Dawson French collection comprises more than 15,000 printed titles and some 5,000 manuscripts related to eighteenth-century literature and culture, the history of the book, and bibliography (with special emphasis on women writers, piracies, the French Revolution, and provincial imports). The extensive collection was acquired from Robert L. Dawson, Professor of French Language and Literature at the University of Texas at Austin from 1975 until his death in 2007. Given its scale and depth, and the fact that it is only partially catalogued, the collection will not be actively developed until further intellectual control may be exerted over it. That said, on occasion an item so scarce or unique that it is assuredly not already in the collection (or would be well-served by duplication) may be acquired for the collection.
The Dawson French collection is an important cornerstone of the rare book collection at Texas A&M. Though there is not as extensive a French language and literature program here as there may be elsewhere, the collection has been consistently used by students and faculty for research on transcontinental book trade; paper decoration; book binding; as well as eighteenth-century literature outside France (for example, there are numerous scarce titles in English included).
In addition to the extensive collection of printed books, the collection also contains many letters, paintings, musical scores, and medieval illuminations.
French and English literature and philosophy of the long eighteenth century.
18c French language and literature.
None known.
Rare (especially materials from the Lois G. Morrison Collection).
Curator: Kevin M. O’Sullivan
Created 7/24/2020
Mailing Address:
Cushing Memorial Library & Archives
TAMU 5000
College Station, TX 77843-5000
Physical Address:
400 Spence St.
Main Campus near the Central Campus Garage
Phone:
979-845-1951