Ready to learn

[Ashbel]

It is great to read that someone else knows the Ashbel Smith story! He is by far the most underappreciated Texan.

Another example. This month's Texas Monthly had an article on the Texas State Cemetary in Austin - resting place of such luminaries as Albert Sidney Johnston and Tom Landry (no kidding). There was no mention of Ashbel Smith! This is in Austin and he is recognized as the Founder of the University of Texas. And Rodney Dangerfield thought he had a problem.

[timewalker]

Originally Posted by Ashbel

It is great to read that someone else knows the Ashbel Smith story! He is by far the most underappreciated Texan.

Another example. This month's Texas Monthly had an article on the Texas State Cemetary in Austin - resting place of such luminaries as Albert Sidney Johnston and Tom Landry (no kidding). There was no mention of Ashbel Smith! This is in Austin and he is recognized as the Founder of the University of Texas. And Rodney Dangerfield thought he had a problem.

I have to reluctantly admit that I lived in Austin for three years while attending the University of Texas, and I had nover heard of Ashbel Smith.

Thanks to both of you for the history lesson. Is there a good biography of him available?

[Ashbel]

There is. it is entitled "Ashbel Smith of Texas: Pioneer, Patriot, Statesman, 1805-1886" by Elizabeth Silverthorne. My wife gave me a copy of it 10 years ago and it was the genesis of my Ashbel interest.

[timewalker]

Originally Posted by Ashbel

There is. it is entitled "Ashbel Smith of Texas: Pioneer, Patriot, Statesman, 1805-1886" by Elizabeth Silverthorne. My wife gave me a copy of it 10 years ago and it was the genesis of my Ashbel interest.

Thank you, kind sir.

Kind of ironic, is it not, that the biography of the "Father of the University of Texas" is from Texas A&M University Press?

[Ashbel]

Very ironic. Ashbel Smith was also the founder of Prairie View A & M which is part of the Texas A & M system. So even there he has a connection.

[RoadDog]

I was so bad, I tried counting all the little soldiers on those battlefield maps. Couldn't do that with my eyesight any more. Too darned little.

[diddyriddick]

Thanks for the post, Ashbel. I, too have to confess ignorance of the achievements of Ashbel Smith, though it seems that I read about him in The Raven.

Good point, Walker. That is a delightful irony!