Frell Albright Collection on Stephen F. Austin
General Context
Remarks of Dr. Charles Biship, Chancellor of the University of Houston System, in a news conference on 2 March 1983:
"Today is an important day in the history of this state. It is Texas Independence Day.
It is also a significant day in the life of the University of Houston M.D. Anderson Library. For today we acknowledge the receipt of a very valuable historical collection from a very good friend of the University.
The collection is the papers and unpublished, personal letters of Stephen F. Austin, who is also known as the "Father of Texas."
The donor is Mr. Frell Albright, longtime friend and benefactor of our library. When he is not out seeking new Texana material, he is employed at Finger's Furniture Compnay, where he is the vice president for advertising and public relations.
The collection that we talk about this morning includes over 50 items, covering a period of 45 years -- from 1791 until 1836. It is valued at $225,000.
This is not the first gift by Mr. Albright to the M.D. Anderson Library. Over the past 20 years he has given many other valuable manuscripts, early printing pieces, artifacts and rare bibles. It is estimated that his total contribution to the University of Houston is now valued at almost $1 million.,
The addition of this new material to the library will add to the quality of the present holdings and help make it one of the finest in the state and nation.
No university can hope to achieve greatness without a great library. The expansion and development of the M.D. Anderson Library is one of our top priorities.
With the generous support of people like Mr. Frell Albright, we can look forward to the realization of a dream that we all have -- the building of a great library and a great university here in Houston, Texas.
Mr. Albright, we thank you for the impetus, the additional support that you have provided today that moves closer to the realization of our dreams."
Found in 22 Collections and/or Records:
Austin, Stephen F., Signed check in the amount of $14.70, St. Louis, January 26, 1817
Austin’s Colony, Ordenanza for the municipality of Austin, 1828
Austin’s Colony, Translation of the laws, orders, and contracts on colonization, San Felipe de Austin, 1829
Bryan, James, Signed check written to self for the amount of $494.67, St. Louis, November 19, 1817
Perry, James, Letter to Stephen F. Austin regarding commercial affairs, June 22, 1813
Texas, Map of Texas with the contiguous American and Mexican states showing the impresario grants of Texas, J. H. Young, Philadelphia, 1835
The Virginia Gazette and General Advertiser, Vol. 6, No. 265, August 31, 1791, August 30, 1791
Includes advertisements for fugitives from slavery: George from New Kent County --- John Gibson or Laney from Richmond --- Syme or Charles from Dover --- Amherst, Ben, and a woman from Rosewall, King and Queen county --- Alexander and Patrick from Richmond --- Titus from Fredericksburg --- Bob from Richmond. Includes advertisement of Moses Austin & Co. Shot Factory.