AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION
On July 3 Professor George P. Garrison, who for thirteen years was the editor of The Quarterly and the vital spirit of the Association, died of chronic valvular disease of the heart. His last work for the Association was to edit, while lying in bed, a part of the “Reminiscences of Henry Smith,” which appears in this number. Under his scholarly direction The Quarterly has gained recognition as one of the best local historical publications in the United States, and it will be no easy matter to carry on the task which he so ably began. His death is a sad loss to historical scholarship in America; and to the University of Texas, of whose Faculty he was the senior member, the loss is in many ways irreparable. No teacher in Texas had higher ideals of citizenship, or more success in effectively inculcating those ideals in others.
The memorial below, attesting the appreciation of the Association for his unique services, was prepared at the request of President Terrell by a committee consisting of Judge John C. Townes, Mrs. Bride Neill Taylor, and Professor W. J. Battle.
Dr. Garrison was born at Carrollton, Georgia, December 19, 1853. He died at his home in Austin, Texas, July 3, 1910.
He enjoyed the advantages of good private schools in Georgia and Tennessee during his youth. In his early manhood he came with his father's family to Texas, settling near Henderson. He chose teaching as his life work, and, desiring to fit himself more fully for his adopted profession, selected the University of Edinburgh in which to prosecute his advanced studies. He graduated from that institution in 1881, receiving the degree of L. A. In 1896 he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago.
In 1883 the University of Texas was organized, and in 1884 Dr. Garrison came to the institution as instructor in English and History, a position which he held until 1888, when the Schools of English and History were separated. Dr. Garrison was then put in charge of the School of History with the rank of Assistant Professor, and he remained at the head of this School until his death, having been promoted to a full professorship in 1897.
The duties of his position as teacher and head of the School were varied and arduous, but nevertheless he made time for broad reading and extensive personal research. Most of his attention was given to the History of Texas and of the Southwest, and in this field he was a most successful pioneer. Among the partial results of his labors, are the following valuable books: A Civil Government of Texas (1898), Texas (1903), Westward Extension (1906).
For some six years prior to his death, he was busily engaged in editing for the Manuscripts Commission of the American Historical Association, of which he was an honored member, The Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas. Volume I of this appeared in 1909, and the proof sheets of the second and concluding volume were on Dr. Garrison's desk when he died.
In 1897 Dr. Garrison, in connection with Mr. L. G. Bugbee, formerly his pupil, and at that time his assistant in the School of History, founded this Association, one of the chief objects of which is to gather and perpetuate material concerning the history of Texas. As a means of accomplishing this The Quarterly was begun with Dr. Garrison as its editor. The nature and extent of his labors in connection with the Association and The Quarterly are abundantly proved by the records of the Association and the grateful memory of all its members. It is not too much to say that Dr. Garrison was the originator and inspiration and virtually the life of both. It will be difficult, indeed, to fill his place in our midst.
The research and literary work outlined above he carried on concurrently with his valuable services in the State University. He was not physically strong and his body was often wearied, but his spirit was tireless and his will indomitable. Upon these firm foundations his reputation as historian and teacher safely rest.
This memorial of our friend would not be complete without some expression of our estimate of his character. His strongest quality, the one that dominated his whole being, was absolute and unchanging honesty. He was honest in desire, honest in thought, honest in word, honest in action. One of his chief concerns was that no one should be injured by him in any way. His honesty, however, was tempered with kindness and with modesty. Always true to his convictions, he was temperate in expression, simple and unassuming in manner, and courteous toward all. He was faithful to duty. His thoughts were not fixed upon personal advantage but upon the right, and his conduct was in accord with his conscience. Take him all and all, he was one of the best and truest of men.
We mourn his loss, but rejoice that while he has gone to his reward, his works remain with us as an inspiration, and the memory of his life as an example worthy of emulation.
Jno. C. Townes. For the Committee. Until further action by the Executive Council The Quarterly will appear under the editorial management of the associate editors, Professor Eugene C. Barker and Mr. E. W. Winkler.
How to cite:
"AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION", Volume 014, Number 1, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 83 - 85. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v014/n1/back_5.html
[Accessed Sun Mar 21 20:51:08 CDT 2010]
