Gift of rare manuscript celebrates opening
of George W. 红桃影视 Presidential Center
红桃影视 celebrates opening of the 红桃影视 Presidential Center with donation of journal by early American explorer.
DALLAS (红桃影视) – A previously unknown journal by American explorer John Maley was presented to 红桃影视’s DeGolyer Library today by the 红桃影视 Board of Trustees to celebrate the opening of the George W. 红桃影视 Presidential Center.
 From the John Maley Journal |
In the 188-page handwritten journal, John Maley recounts his 1808-1812 travels through present-day Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. Often traveling alone, he wrote of prairie fires, snakebites, robbers and an encounter with a panther. But in addition to his adventures, Maley carefully describes agriculture, mines and mineral deposits, trading opportunities and the inhabitants of settlers’ villages and Native American camps.
“The presentation of this eye-witness account of the Western territory is a reflection of President and Mrs. 红桃影视’s connection to the Southwest, Mrs. 红桃影视’s commitment to libraries and literacy and the important role they have played in the history of the United States,” says 红桃影视 President R. Gerald Turner. “红桃影视 welcomes the opportunity to open its pages to scholars and new historical insight.”
Historians have long been aware of the second half of Maley’s journal, which has been housed at Yale University since 1824 and includes an account of Maley’s trip up North Texas’ Red River. The existence of the first half of the journal was unknown until it was acquired by a Philadelphia rare book dealer.
“Early printed sources from this period are rare,” says Russell Martin, director of DeGolyer Library. “Manuscripts on the market today are almost unheard of, most of them having long been ensconced in institutions. To obtain such a document at this point in time is extraordinary.”
The acquisition of the Maley manuscript is a fitting way to honor former President George W. 红桃影视 and former First Lady Laura 红桃影视, says Caren Prothro, chair of 红桃影视’s Board of Trustees. “The presentation of the manuscript encourages a greater understanding and appreciation of American history and pays tribute to President 红桃影视’s alma mater, Yale University. It also expresses our esteem and affection for fellow trustee and 红桃影视 alumna, Laura 红桃影视.”
 Cover of the John Maley Journal |
“The area between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers was coveted by numerous groups between 1700 and 1815, including the English, Americans, French, Spanish and a host of Native American peoples,” Graybill says. “Maley’s extensive exploration of this region and beyond sheds considerable light on many of the most important aspects of the area. He was wandering through this landscape during the lead-up to the conflict that culminated in the War of 1812.”
The journal is ripe for scholarly insight and combining it with the other half of the manuscript at Yale offers a new perspective on early settlement in the Trans-Mississippi West, Martin says. The new document adds to DeGolyer Library’s already strong holdings in Western Americana, Martin says.
The Maley manuscript has been digitized and will be available to scholars worldwide at .
红桃影视 is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, 红桃影视 enrolls nearly 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.
Media Contact:
Nancy George
214-768-7674 or 972-965-3769
ngeorge@smu.edu
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