Local elected President of Texas State Historical Association

On March 5, at the 125th Annual Meeting of the Texas State Historical Association, TSHA’s membership elected Wimberley historian Dr. Patrick Cox as the Association’s 78th President. Dr. Cox will serve a one-year term, succeeding outgoing president Mary Margaret McAllen.

As TSHA President, Dr. Cox will serve as Chair of the Association’s Board of Directors, appoint members for open seats on TSHA committees, and participate as an ex-officio member of all committees. He will use his wealth of Association experience to help lead TSHA’s historical education and publication programs throughout the end of his term in March 2022.

Dr. Cox is a historian, writer, and conservationist. He has authored a number of books, including Ralph W. Yarborough, The People’s Senator, an award-winning biography of the progressive and environmental Texas Senator; Tom Sealy – A Man of Action, Fighting for Justice in War and Peace, a biography of the World War II hero and his important influence on postwar Texas; Writing the Story of Texas (2013), essays on famous Texas historians; and The First Texas News Barons (2005), a study of influential Texas newspaper publishers.

Dr. Cox’s important work has been recognized by several organizations and institutions. He has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas

State University, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Texas State University College of Liberal Arts, and the President’s Award from the American Journalism Historians Association. He is a member of the Texas Institute of Letters and the Philosophical Society of Texas, and he was selected as a TSHA Fellow in 2009.

During his President-Elect Address, Cox discussed his vision for the Texas State Historical Association:

“TSHA follows the path laid out by our founders, sharing Texas history and stories of events and people from all walks of life with individuals and organizations across the state, nation, and globe. We have served and will continue as a leader in providing research, education, and publications for understanding our past. As we enact our mission, our responsibility is to recognize, include, and preserve the histories of Texas people and cultures, all of whose stories are an essential part of Texas history.”

This year, due to pandemic-related health and safety protocols, TSHA held its Annual Meeting virtually. During the conference, participants from across the state enjoy historical sessions, presenter Q&As, special events, an online exhibit hall, and a Texana book auction. For more information on the Association’s Annual Meeting, visit https://am.tsha.events.