Edward Alexander Parsons Collection
E.A. Parsons, with his wife and daughter, posed
for a railway pass portrait.
The Parsons Collection is a large (40,000 volumes) but discriminating library amassed by the eponymous New Orleans lawyer and bibliophile and acquired by the Ransom Center in 1958. It is rich in early Louisiana history–indeed, it includes the unique copy of the first item printed in Louisiana and a number of other early imprints from this state–Creole and other regional literature, sumptuous art and architecture books, and fine printing from all periods. Manuscripts from the Parsons Collection as well as related materials on Louisiana history are at UT's Center for American History.
The Harry Ransom Center's blog Cultural Compass gives an insider's look at news, events, exhibitions, acquisitions, multimedia content, researcher and scholarly work, conservation, and items from the collections.
