Handbook of Texas
Encyclopedia
The Handbook of Texas is a comprehensive encyclopedia
of Texas
geography, history, and historical persons published by the Texas State Historical Association
(TSHA).
of The University of Texas history
department. It was published as a two-volume set in 1952, with a supplemental volume published in 1976.
In 1996, the New Handbook of Texas was published, expanding the encyclopedia to six volumes and over 23,000 articles.
In 1999, the Handbook of Texas Online went live with the complete text of the print edition, all corrections incorporated into the handbook's second printing, and about 400 articles not included in the print edition due to space limitations. The handbook continues to be updated online, and contains over 25,000 articles. The online version includes entries on general topics, such as "Texas since World War II", biographies such as notable Texans Samuel Houston and W. D. Twichell
, ranches such as the Matador
, and geographical entries such as "Waco, Texas".
Many Texas scholars and professors, such as Robert A. Calvert
, co-author of the standard textbook The History of Texas, have contributed to the Handbook.
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge....
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
geography, history, and historical persons published by the Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association
The Texas State Historical Association or abbreviated TSHA, is a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to documenting the rich and unique history of Texas. It was founded on March 2, 1897. As of November 2008, TSHA moved from Austin to the University of North Texas in Denton.The executive...
(TSHA).
History
The original Handbook was the brainchild of TSHA President Walter Prescott WebbWalter Prescott Webb
Walter Prescott Webb was a 20th century U.S. historian and author noted for his groundbreaking historical work on the American West. As president of the Texas State Historical Association, he launched the project that produced the Handbook of Texas...
of The University of Texas history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
department. It was published as a two-volume set in 1952, with a supplemental volume published in 1976.
In 1996, the New Handbook of Texas was published, expanding the encyclopedia to six volumes and over 23,000 articles.
In 1999, the Handbook of Texas Online went live with the complete text of the print edition, all corrections incorporated into the handbook's second printing, and about 400 articles not included in the print edition due to space limitations. The handbook continues to be updated online, and contains over 25,000 articles. The online version includes entries on general topics, such as "Texas since World War II", biographies such as notable Texans Samuel Houston and W. D. Twichell
W. D. Twichell
Willis Day Twichell was a Texas surveyor and civil engineer, based primarily in Amarillo and later Austin, who surveyed 165 of the state's 254 counties.-Background:...
, ranches such as the Matador
Matador Ranch
The Matador Ranch is an historic cattle ranch and hunting operation in Motley County, Texas, on the South Plains. Established in 1882, the Matador is located some ninety miles east of Lubbock. According to its website, the current mission of the ranch is improvement of the health and productivity...
, and geographical entries such as "Waco, Texas".
Many Texas scholars and professors, such as Robert A. Calvert
Robert A. Calvert
Robert Arnold Calvert, Jr., known as Bob Calvert , was a historian and professor at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, best known for his standard textbook, The History of Texas, co-authored with Arnoldo De Leon and Gregg Cantrell.Calvert was born in Stephenville, the seat of Erath...
, co-author of the standard textbook The History of Texas, have contributed to the Handbook.