The Song of Things Begun (Poetry)

THE SONG OF THINGS BEGUN, Harry Huntt Ransom, A Selection of Verse compiled by Hazel H. Ransom, hardcover, limited edition (650), illustrated with drawings by Harry Huntt Ransom, 1988. BOOK CONDITION: near fine. The text block and illustrations are in fine condition, with no tears, dogears, or marks. No signature or bookplate of a prior owner, but there are two gift inscriptions, one by Hazel H. Ransom (1988). Two sections of the dust jacket are taped inside the book. Not a library book or remainder. The red and cream-colored boards are in very good condition (a few small, smudged areas). 10 x 6 ¼, 62 pages, 13 ounces XX [From the clipped dust jacket] This volume represents the unofficial and informal other face of Harry Ransom, who held numerous offices and titles in the University of Texas System from 1935 to 1976. At The University of Texas at Austin he was professor of English, associate dean of the Graduate School, dean of Arts and Sciences, vice president and provost, and president. In The University of Texas System he was chancellor from 1961 to 1971 and chancellor emeritus from 1971 until the time of his death in 1976. As an administrator he was known as an innovator who was responsible for such student-oriented programs as the Junior Fellows, Provisional Admissions, and the University's twenty-four-hour student counseling service. He fostered the Plan Il Bachelor of Arts degree program and the Program in Criticism lecture series that brought many distinguished visitors to the campus. He was responsible for the establishment of the Undergraduate Library and Academic Center and was a strong proponent of faculty rights and perquisites. He is best remembered for founding a world-renowned special collections library, now known as the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center. The contents of this volume portray another facet of a multi-faceted man: administrator, teacher, scholar, bibliophile, author on subjects as varied as nineteenth century literature, Texas history, and international copyright law. He 'practiced’ verse as casually as others engage in avocational music; he sketched line drawings as a reflex accompaniment to routines such as lengthy, scheduled meetings. Together, they reflect an impromptu expression of self, sometimes serious, sometimes humorous. The selection of verse and graphics was made by Hazel Ransom, student, wife, and confidante of Harry Ransom. Before their marriage she taught English at the University of Texas, and since his death has edited three other volumes of his literary works: The Conscience of the University, The Other Texas Frontier, and Snow in Austin.