‘Outlander’ Author Hand-Picks Texas A&M to House her Literary Archives
By Marketing and Communications | 11-20-2025
The “Outlander” universe, in which a time-traveling British nurse finds adventure and romance with an 18th-century Scottish warrior, is coming to Aggieland.
The best-selling book series author, Dr. Diana Gabaldon, has selected Texas A&M University’s Cushing Memorial Library & Archives as the permanent home for her literary papers, notes and memorabilia from the historical science fiction, adventure-romance series and its hit streaming adaptation.
The collection will capture the evolution of Gabaldon’s storytelling and offer a glimpse into how her 1991 debut novel “Outlander” grew into a global phenomenon spanning novels, companion works and a long-running television adaptation.
“The acquisition of a collection of this magnitude marks a pivotal moment in the growth of our Libraries’ collections,” said Julie Mosbo Ballestro, university librarian and assistant provost. “We have long admired Diana’s contributions to the field, and we are eager to integrate her work into our Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Collection that ranks among the finest in the world.”
Gabaldon's “Outlander” series consists so far of nine novels and has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide.
She serves as a co-producer, consultant and occasional scriptwriter for the “Outlander” series, which premiered in 2014 and will conclude with its eighth and final season in 2026. But “Outlander” isn’t done yet. Gabaldon has expanded the franchise to include novellas, short stories, graphic novels and the prequel television series “Outlander: Blood of My Blood.”
Why Texas A&M?
An Arizona native, Gabaldon was raised in Flagstaff. Before becoming a full-time author, she earned a doctorate from Northern Arizona University and worked as a university professor and a research scientist. A month ago, Diana and her husband, Doug Watkins, found themselves with 108,000 raucous fans at Kyle Field, taking in their first visit to Aggieland as the Aggies opened up SEC play with a win over Auburn.
“My visit to Texas A&M was memorable,” Gabaldon said. “Everything was impressive, from the football game, to the Historic Press Room, to so many other things I’ve never experienced before. The passion that exists for the university is inspiring.”
Inspiring was a word she also chose to use when talking about the depth and breadth of Cushing’s collections.
“There are so many wonderful authors that call Cushing and Texas A&M University Library home,” Gabaldon said. “I’m grateful that my work will be among them.
A Science Fiction Tradition
Established in 1930, Texas A&M’s Cushing Memorial Library & Archives houses the university’s rare books, manuscripts and special collections, including the works of Miguel de Cervantes, Yolanda Broyles-Gonzalez, George R.R. Martin, Alex Haley, Rudyard Kipling and Walt Whitman, and numerous objects including a Sumerian clay tablet and a map of Texas created by Stephen F. Austin.
Gabaldon’s archives will join Cushing’s extensive Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Collection, including materials from George R.R. Martin, Martha Wells ’86, Kristen Britain, and other acclaimed authors whose work have shaped literature and culture. The catalogued collection is one of the world’s largest.
The sci-fi collection, originally developed by then-Texas A&M librarian Hal W. Hall, blossomed in the 1970s after the creation and subsequent rise of AggieCon in 1969, the oldest sci-fi, horror and fantasy student-run fan convention in the United States, that has grown into one of the leading gatherings of its kind.
While the “Game of Thrones” swords are perhaps the most requested items from Cushing’s sci-fi collection, there are also many other well-known items, including a 1726 first edition of “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift, and multiple signed copies of “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury.
Bringing Gabaldon’s collection to Cushing highlights Texas A&M’s dedication to preserving literary legacies and provides students, scholars and readers with a lasting resource to explore the evolution of storytelling.
“Adding Diana’s work to our collection is a touchstone moment,” said Jeremy Brett, Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Collection curator. “She is a beautiful storyteller who writes with depth and grace, and her work has touched the hearts of millions of readers. That work and its legacy deserve attention, and we can’t wait to make Cushing its home for researchers and fans alike.”
Much more is expected to be added to the new collection in future years as Gabaldon is working on her tenth book in the series, “A Blessing For A Warrior Going Out.” A date for when Gabaldon’s archives will be available for viewing is yet to be determined, but Cushing Memorial Library & Archives is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Written by: Stephen Perez, Office of the Provost communications coordinator | Media Contact: Matthew Kennedy, University Libraries marketing and communications director, marketing@library.tamu.edu 979.862.4006
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