Mark Busby Papers

A scholar noted for his writing on the literature of the American West, Mark Busby the author and editor of several books, as well as a novelist (Fort Benning Blues) and the co-editor of the journals Southwestern American Literature and Texas Books in Review. Busby is a professor of English at Texas State University-San Marcos, where he directs the Center for the Study of the Southwest and the Southwest Regional Humanities Center. Busby is also a past president of the Texas Institute of Letters.

Busby’s books include John Graves, Writer (co-editor, 2007), The Southwest: The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Regional Cultures (editor, 2004), From Texas to the World and Back: Essays on the Journeys of Katherine Anne Porter (co-editor, 2001), Fort Benning Blues: A Novel (2001), Larry McMurtry and the West: An Ambivalent Relationship (1995), New Growth 2: Contemporary Short Stories by Texas Writers (editor, 1993), United States Authors Series-Ralph Ellison (1991), The Frontier Experience and the American Dream: Essays on American Literature (co-editor 1989), Lanford Wilson (Western Writers Series, 1987), Preston Jones (Western Writers Series, 1983).

Mark Busby began donating his papers to the Southwestern Writers Collection/The Wittliff Collections in 1991.

Listed below is an archival inventory of the Mark Busby holdings. Much of the material is related to Busby’s scholarly writing, his creative work, his editing of books and journals, and his tenure as President of the Texas Institute of Letters. The books and journals donated by Busby have been cataloged and are available for use. Note that access to unprocessed materials is granted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Archivist for details about access to the Mark Busby Collection.

Accession 1991-077

Two books by Busby.

1. Preston Jones by Mark Busby. Western Writers Series no. 58. Boise: Boise State University, 1983. First edition. Signed. Paper.

2. Ralph Ellison by Mark Busby. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1991. First edition, signed. Hard. Dj.

Accession 1994-048

New Growth 2: Contemporary Short Stories by Texas Writers Edited by Mark Busby. San Antonio: Corona Publishing, 1993. Inscribed by Busby and David Bowen, publisher.

Accession 1995-132

Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic, 1995 “Offishul Souvineer Program”

Accession 1996-047

book: Lanford Wilson by Mark Busby. Inscribed.

Accession 1997-048

The Texas Institute of Letters membership list 1997 and two programs from The Texas Institute of Letters 61st Annual Awards Banquet - Le Meridien Hotel, Dallas, TX April 5, 1997

Accession 2000-094

Texas Institute of Letters correspondence, clippings, meeting minutes, and notes dating from 1989-1992, created or maintained by TIL Vice President Bob Flynn.

Correspondents include other TIL members, such as President Laura Furman, Secy. John Edward “Eddie” Weems

Accession 2002-172

“The Texas Institute of Letters” dated April 15, 2000 - features J. Frank Dobie’s Paisano Ranch on the cover.

Accession 2003-005

One folder containing correspondence (dated range from 1999-2000) relating to the 2000 Texas Institute of Letters book design awards.

Accession 2004-131 (gifted jointly by Mark Busby and the Texas Institute of Letters)

Materials from the Texas Institute of Letters. Items include: correspondence, programs, newsletters, photocopies of clippings, certificates, and new member nominations.

Detailed list of items are listed below:

- numerous programs for The Texas Institute of Letters 68th annual awards banquet dated March 27, 2004

- numerous programs for The Texas Institute of Letters 67th annual awards banquet, 2003

- various print outs of TIL e-mail correspondence from other TIL members, dates range from January 1, 2004 to June 2004

- copy of comments and agenda made by Mark Busby at the Texas Institute of Letters Banquet, 2003

- copies of the TIL membership list, dated April 1997

- photocopies of newspaper articles of Celia Morris

- new member nomination certificate for Jessie McGaw

- TIL newsletter dated December 2002

- new member nomination certificate for William Wittliff

- TIL newsletter dated October/November 2003

- TIL newsletter dated January/February 2004

- envelope containing a copy of current members (2003), list of awards donors, Master Judges List, Publicity/News Releases list and a list of people who have not paid their dues.

- new member nomination certificate for Joan Nixon

- TIL newsletter dated August/September 2003

- new member nominations 2003, 2004

Accession 2004-154

Materials related to Fort Benning Blues, a novel by Mark Busby.

Items included: manuscripts, research materials, and notes.

For complete list of items included see list below

- book titled Lieutenant Calley: His Own Story as told to John Sack by John Sack (book includes a few annotations made in red pencil)

- typed annotated manuscripts titled Fort Benning Blues by Mark Busby (attached to one manuscript are two pages of handwritten notes)

- galley pages for Fort Benning Blues by Mark Busby

- 2 copies of the U.S. News & World Report, dated October 13 and December 8, 1969.

- handwritten and typed notes in reference to Fort Benning Blues

Accession 2004-158

Materials related to From Texas to the World and Back: Essays on the journeys of Katherine Ann Porter , edited by Mark Busby and Dick Heaberlin. Items include: manuscripts, notes, correspondence, disks, and photos.

Accession 2007-035

One hardcover book with dust jacket, John Graves, Writer edited by Mark Busby and Terrell Dixon, published in 2007 by UT Press; signed by Busby .

Accession 2007-182

“Austin Review of Books” insert from the Austin American Statesman from Wednesday October 31, 2007 featuring Dagoberto Gilb and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith on the cover for receiving the Texas Book Festival’s BookEnd Awards and discussing “Hecho en Tejas”. The eight page insert contains the complete Texas Book Festival calendar of events as well as an article on Beverly Lowry and her book “Harriet Tubman: Imagining a Life”.

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