Ben Procter Papers

Correspondence, photographs, collected research, notes, manuscripts, interviews, book drafts, and lecture notes document the scholarly career of Dr. Ben Procter.  The material dates from 1840 through 2006 and covers Dr. Procter's major areas of scholarly interest, William Randolph Hearst, the Texas Rangers (law enforcement agency), and John H. Reagan, Postmaster General of the Confederate States of America.  Also part of the collection are class notes from Procter's time at Harvard University, lecture notes used during his tenure at TCU, and other research subject files. The collection is divided into four series.  Series I. William Randolph Hearst, 1862-2006 includes mostly (photocopied?) correspondence, news clippings, and some photographs.  Procter used this research material for his books on the subject: William Randolph Hearst: the Early Years, 1863-1910 and William Randolph Hearst: Final Edition, 1911-1951.  Series II. Texas Rangers, 1956-1996 includes correspondence, photographs, manuscripts, and interviews with the Texas Rangers used for his book: Just One Riot: Episodes of Texas Rangers in the 20th Century. After authoring this book, Procter was called as an expert witness in a copyright lawsuit between Lone Wolf McQuade Associates and CBS over the television show Walker, Texas Ranger. Series III. John H. Reagan, 1840-1903; 1856-1985, includes book drafts, correspondence, notes, a manuscript of his thesis on Reagan, and photographs, all research for his book: Not Without Honor; the Life of John H. Reagan. Series IV. Subject Files, 1937; 1951-2006, contains course work from his years at Harvard, from his teaching at Texas Christian University and some assorted research and writings.