AUSTIN, Texas—Dr. Patrick Cox has been appointed assistant director for congressional collections at The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for American History.
Center Director Don E. Carleton said Cox will supervise operations at the center’s two divisions related to congressional history — the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum in Bonham and the John Nance Garner Museum in Uvalde. Cox, who previously was coordinator of the center’s Institute for American News Media History, will continue his affiliation with the institute.
Cox is a specialist in 20th century American political, media and social history, with an emphasis on Texas and the Southwest. He has taught at St. Edward’s University in Austin and The University of Texas at San Antonio. He teaches an undergraduate course on the history of journalism in the Department of Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin.
“I’m thrilled to have Patrick Cox assume a leadership role at the center,” said Carleton. “His unique set of skills and knowledge and the breadth of his experience will serve the center well as we continue to grow in areas of congressional history and the history of American news media. We look forward to Dr. Cox continuing, now in his new role as assistant director, the quality work he has provided the center for the past three years.”
Cox received his doctor’s degree in history and his Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He previously was an assistant land commissioner at the Texas General Land Office and worked as a newspaper editor for five years. His book, “Ralph W. Yarborough, the People’s Senator,” was a finalist in the Western Writers Association and the Robert Kennedy Foundation Book Award for 2002. The biography is the first book in the center’s new “Focus on American History” series, published by The University of Texas Press. Cox recently was elected to the board of directors of the American Journalism History Association.
For more information contact: David Dettmer, Center for American History, 512-495-4369, or Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, 512-475-7847.