George Otis Coalson
1.5 linear ft; 21 maps; 36 photos; 5 books
A1984-020, A1988-015, A1990-046, A1991-004, A1996-008
1890-1945 (unknown)
George Otis Coalson was born in 1926 at Camp Wood, Real County, Texas. He graduated from Uvalde High School in 1944. He served in the United States Army in World War II in the European theater as a combat infantryman where he earned the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and participating in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he attended the Texas College of Arts and Industries, receiving a B.A. degree in History in 1949 and his M.A. in History in 1950. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received his doctorate in 1955, writing his dissertation on "The Development of the Migratory Farm Labor System in Texas, 1900-1954." Dr. Coalson returned to his alma mater, Texas College of Arts and Industries, in 1955. He began his teaching career as an instructor and progressed to become a full Professor in 1962. During his career at the University, which eventually became Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Professor Coalson served as Chairman of the Department of History (1963-1978), President of the Faculty Senate, and served twice as the interim Vice President for Academic Affairs (1977-1978, 1981-1982). He gave the Annual Faculty Lecture at Texas A&I University in 1972, and served on numerous committees, including the committee that drafted the Constitution for the General Faculty Senate, the Presidential Search Committee in 1973, the Graduate Council, and the Strategic Planning Committee (1987-1988). George O. Coalson published a number of articles in historical journals, published his dissertation in 1976, and elected the President of the South Texas Historical Association in 1977. He was appointed Emeritus Professor of History after retiring and was directing his fiftieth Master's theses when he died on Sunday, June 4, 1995 at the age of 69 years old.
The George O. Coalson Collection consists of 1.5 cubic feet of research materials, maps, newspapers, and books that where collected from 1955 to 1995. Most of the research material are copies and notes of printed materials as early as the mid-1800s up through 1995.
The collection is arranged into four Series: Series I: Research Materials Series II: Correspondence Series III: Professional Materials Series IV: Publications Series V: Maps Series VI: Photos
South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Open for Research
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.
George Otis Coalson Collection, A1984-019.XXXX; A1988-015.XXXX; A1990-046.XXXX; A1991-004.XXXX; A1996-008.XXXX, South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
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Accession A1984-019 gift of Dr. George O. Coalson Accession A1988-015 gift of Dr. George O. Coalson Accession A1990-046 gift of Dr. George O. Coalson Accession A1991-004 gift of Dr. George O. Coalson Accession A1996-008 gift of Angeline Coalson
A1984-020 processed by Brian Bingham. A1988-015 processed by Matthew Tallant. A1990-046 processed by Brian Bingham. A1991-004 processed by Matthew Tallant. A1996-008 processed by Brian Bingham. A1984-020 and A1996-008 reprocessed by Matthew Tallant. Finding aid by Matthew Tallant. Encoded into EAD by Daniel Thacker.