Jefferson R. and Lota M. Spell Papers

The Jefferson R. and Lota M. Spell Papers were acquired by the Benson Latin American Collection shortly after Lota Spell's death in 1972. Generated during the lives and careers of Jefferson Rea Spell and Lota May Harrigan Spell, the papers contain materials in both the English and Spanish languages. The processing of the papers was begun by the Mexican Archives Project staff in November 1994 and was completed in March 1995.

In addition to this inventory, researchers are advised to consult the series, Correspondence in Subgroup I to determine the presence of materials pertinent to their research. The series is arranged alphabetically by individual name, corporate name, or subject.

The suggested citation is "Jefferson R. and Lota M. Spell Papers, 1844-1972."

Introduction

Chronology, Jefferson Spell

Partial Bibliography, Jefferson Spell

Chronology, Lota Spell

Partial Bibliography, Lota Spell

Scope and Contents Note

List of Subgroups and Series

Personal Names in the List of Subgroups and Series

Corporate Names in the List of Subgroups and Series

Box List

9 Nov 1886	born in Pottsboro, Grayson County, Texas
1901-1905	attended Allen Academy, Bryan, Texas
1905-1913	attended UT intermittently; taught Latin at high schools in Bartlett, San Antonio, and Navasota
1910	married Lota May Harrigan
1913	received B.A. from UT (classics major)
Jan 1920	appointed instructor in romance languages at UT
1920	received M.A. from UT with thesis, "Spanish teaching in the U.S."
1927	Adjunct Professor at UT (called Assistant Professor from 1936)
1931	received Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania with dissertation, "The life and works of José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi"
1939	Associate Professor at UT; received Diploma de Honor from Academia Mexicana for studies in the field of Mexican literature
1942-1946	Institute of Latin American Studies (Executive Committee)
1943-1945	vice-president and acting president of the Instituto Internacional de Literatura Iberoamericana
1944	Professor at UT
1944-1946	Guest Professor in the Summer School of the National University of Mexico
1960	retired from UT
1962	Professor Emeritus
3 March 1967	died at his home at 2108 Hartford Rd., Austin, Texas
1967	(Texas Chapter) Member of the Year, in memoriam

Life and works of José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi (1931)

"Some little known plays of Gorostiza" (1932)

"The theater in Mexico City, 1805-1806" (1933)

Rousseau in the Spanish world before 1833 (1938)

Don Catrín de la fachenda, y fragmentos de otras obras de Fernández de Lizardi (1944)

Contemporary Spanish-American fiction (1944)

"The theater in New Spain in the early eighteenth century" (1947)

Tres comedias de Eusebio Vela (1948)

El periquillo sarniento, por José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi, ed. y prólogo de J. R. Spell. 3vols., Editorial Porrúa (1949)

2nd ed. (1956)

segunda edición corregida y ampliada (1959) [first edition]

3rd ed. corregida y ampliada (1961)

4th ed. (1962)

5th ed. (1963)

6th ed. (1964)

7th ed. (1965)

8th ed. (1967)

Don Catrín de la fachenda, y Noches tristes y día alegre, por José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi, ed. y prólogo de J.R. Spell (1959)

Revistas Hispanoamericanos. Indice bibliográfica. 1843-1938 (1960)

"Sidelights on Manuel Eduardo de Gorostiza from his archive" (1962)

"A textual comparison of the first four editions of El periquillo sarniento" (1963)

Bridging the Gap : articles on Mexican literature, selected from the works of Jefferson Rea Spell (1971)

2 Feb 1885	born in Big Spring, Texas (raised in San Antonio)
1898-1901	attended Virginia Institute, Bristol, Virginia (girls' boarding school)
1902-1905	studied music in Austria and Germany (Grand Ducal Conservatory, Karlsruhe)
1905-1910	taught music and performed as a pianist in Mexico City
1910	instructor at Whitis Preparatory School, Austin
8 Sept 1910	married Jefferson Rea Spell
1914	received B.A. from UT
1919	received M.A. from UT
1922-1927	librarian of the Genaro García Collection, University of Texas Library
1923	second woman to receive Ph.D. from UT, with a major in history and a minor in education (also studied at Columbia University and University of Chicago)
1929-1933	associate editor of The Musicale
1929-1939	teacher of music, music history and appreciation at Mulholland School, San Antonio, and the Texas School of Fine Arts, Austin
1933-1947	associate editor of Southwestern Musician
1936	inscription writer for historical monuments, State of Texas
1946-1948	editor of Texas Music News
early 1960s	donated her correspondence to the Latin American Collection and sold personal library to UT
3 April 1972	died in Austin

History of Musical Education in the U.S. (1919) [M.A. thesis]

"The first teacher of European music in America" (1922?) [Pedro de Gante]

Musical education in North America during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (1923) [Ph.D. dissertation]

"Music and instruments of the Aztecs : the beginnings of musical education in North America" (1925)

The first music books printed in America (1929)

The contribution of the Southwest to American music (1931)

"Samuel Bangs : the first printer in Texas" (reprint 1931)

"The Anglo-Saxon press in Mexico, 1846-1848" (1932)

Music in Texas, a survey of one aspect of cultural progress (1936)

"Music in the cathedral of Mexico in the sixteenth century" (1946)

Cuatro documentos relativos a Sor Juana (1947)

Research materials for the study of Latin America at the University of Texas (1954)

Copycats with tunes you know (1957)

Gorostiza and Texas (1957)

Rafael Heliodoro Valle, 1891-1959 (1960)

Pioneer Printer : Samuel Bangs in Mexico and Texas (1963)

edited and wrote introduction for La vida después de la muerte, by José López Portillo (1964)

"The interplay of books and life : J.R. Spell and El Periquillo" (1968)

Correspondence, research materials, literary manuscripts and notes, family papers, financial documents, printed material, and photographs from the Spells' careers and lives (bulk dates 1920-1970). SubgroupI consists of materials concerning both Jefferson and Lota Spell. It includes correspondence concerning many literary figures and various of the Spells' activities, notably the International Institute of Ibero-American Literature; card files pertaining to the Spells' research and publications; writings undertaken in collaboration or on shared topics, such as the Mexican diplomat, journalist, playwright, and entrepreneur, Manuel Eduardo de Gorostiza; items relating to their activities at the University of Texas; family papers; financial documents; and assorted materials such as notebooks, travel diaries, and clippings. Most photographs are from the series, Family Papers.

Subgroup II is formed of Jefferson Spell's manuscripts and notes for his publications about the life and works of the Mexican novelist, José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi; the life and works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and his influence on the literature and thought of Latin America; Eusebio Vela; Spanish-American theater and fiction; numerous articles; and his M.A. and Ph.D theses, on the respective topics of Spanish teaching in the U.S. and José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi.

Subgroup III comprises Lota Spell's papers and contains manuscripts and notes for her publications on early printing in Mexico and the Southwest and early music in North America. Present in the papers are materials from her works on Samuel Bangs, Pedro de Gante, and musical topics, including the memoirs of musician Horace Clark; also represented is her publication, Research materials for Latin American studies at UT. Also included in the papers are correspondence, printed material, and teaching materials from Lota Spell's music activities and the associations to which she belonged, including the Texas Music Teachers Association, Austin District Music Teachers' Association, Texas Federation of Music Clubs, and University Interscholastic League. Mary Dunn, a Lubbock music teacher who was active in music education organizations, is prominently represented in these materials. Correspondence and research materials from the Texas Research Bureau are also included among Lota Spell's papers.

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