Mary Beth Fleischer papers

Collection

Identifier: urn:taro:utexas.cah.01907

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, research materials, drafts, administrative records, and notes comprise the Mary Beth Fleischer Papers, 1960s-1993, and relate to Fleischer’s career at the Barker Texas History Center and her extensive research concerning Antoinette Lea Bledsoe Powers Robert. The research traces Lea’s relationship with her sister, Margaret Moffette Lea Houston, and her influence on the Baptist church in the late 19th century. Additionally, the papers include materials on her three husbands: William Bledsoe, Charles Powers, and William H. Robert. Furthermore, the papers contain research files, correspondence, and drafts pertaining to Dudley Goodall Wooten’s article “Perversions of History.” In addition to her research materials, the papers contain Fleischer’s administrative records concerning her involvement in a project at the History Center to identify important Texas imprints and broadsides. Finally, the papers include a biographical file and records detailing her involvement with professional associations, such as the Texas Library Association and the American Association for State and Local History.

Dates

Creation: 1960s-1993

Creator

Fleischer, Mary Beth (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no use restrictions on this collection. Publisher is responsible for complying with copyright law.

Biographical Note

Mary Beth Fleischer (1934-2013) worked as an assistant librarian at the Barker Texas History Center Library (later the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History) for 32 years, mainly dealing with the technical and bibliographic aspects of the library. She started at the Barker Texas History Center in 1961 and received a master’s degree from the University of Texas Graduate School of Library Science in 1963. Additionally, she conducted extensive research into the life of Antoinette Lea Bledsoe Powers Robert, the sister of Sam Houston’s wife, Margaret Moffette Lea Houston. Antoinette Lea (1823-1891) was very influential in the Texas Baptist church, especially after marrying her third husband, preacher William H. Roberts. They traveled the state establishing Sunday schools and training African-American preachers. Despite studying Antoinette Lea for twenty years, Fleischer never published any of this research. However, she has published many book reviews and in 1969 she edited and published historian Dudley Goodall Wooten’s article “Perversions of History” in the Southwestern Historical Quarterly.