Texas Observed: 1932-1942 Collection

Collection

Identifier: 33

Staff Only

This collection of twenty-seven photographs taken by Russell Lee from 1932-1942 was a traveling art show called Artmobile that traveled around South Texas in 1982 and 1983. It aimed to show the general atmosphere of the Great Depression. There was also a painting collection that paired with it, but this is exclusively the photography collection.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1932 - 1942

Creator

Lee, Russell (1903-1986) (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

No restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to taking precautions against infringement of copyright and respecting the publication rights of reproduced materials. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Any materials used should be fully credited with their source according to the example given in the Preferred Citation note. Requests for assistance with citations and images of publication quality should be directed to specialcollections@tamucc.edu

Extent

1.75 Linear Feet

Abstract

Russell Lee was a photographer who was frequently employed by the United States government. He documented many important moments in American history, including The Great Depression and the forced relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Biographical / Historical

Russell Werner Lee was a photographer that rose to fame after his work with the Farm Security Administration during The Great Depression. He was born in Ottawa, Illinois in 1903, and went to Lehigh University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. After working as a chemist, he took up painting, then became interested in photography.

Lee was hired for a photographic documentation project for the Farm Security Administration. In 1942 he documented the forced relocation of Japanese Americans into internment camps by the War Relocation Authority. He later took photographs of airfield approaches for the Air Transport Command, and photographed coal miners for the Department of the Interior. Lee moved to Austin, Texas and in 1965 became the first photography professor at the University of Texas. He passed away in 1986 at the age of 83.

Arrangement

This collection is housed in two heavy duty museum boxes lined with acid free paper. The first box contains thirteen photographs, the second box contains fourteen.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated in 1983 by Dr. Miriam Wagenschein. The donation was assisted by Richard L. O’Keeffe, University Librarian.

Related Materials

Gold Photography Collection Bob Prager Selena Photographs

Processing Information

This collection was arranged by Eric Christensen, Archivist and Book Collections Librarian for Texas A&M University– Corpus Christi’s Special Collections & Archives Department.