Worcester, Donald E. (Donald Emmet), 1915-2003

Don Worcester is a professor emeritus of history at Texas Christian University, and winner of the 1988 Western Writers of America Saddleman Award.

Donald Emmet Worcester was born on April 29, 1915 in Tempe, Arizona. He earned his B.A. from Bard College in 1939. He then attended the University of California, earning his M.A. in 1940 and Ph.D. in 1947. Donald Worcester has been a lecturer and professor in history for over 20 years in California, Florida and Texas. Many of his children's books cover the topics of Apache Indians and horses. Biographical Source: Something About the Author, vol. 18, pp. 301-303.

Historian, author, educator. Born in 1915 near Tempe, Arizona, he graduated in 1939 from Bard College. Awarded M.S. in Latin American Studies in 1940 and Ph. D. in 1947 by the University of California. Served in the United States Navy for four years during World War II and later taught at the University of Florida for 16 years. Became chairman of the history department at Texas Christian University in 1963 and was named the Lorin A. Boswell Professor of History at Texas Christian University in 1971. A prolific writer, Worcester authored several articles on early Spanish accounts of the Southwest, historical fiction, and seven novels for children. Co-author of three history textbooks. Served as national president of Phi Alpha Theta (1960-1962), managing editor of "Hispanic American Historical Review" (1960-1965), president of Western Writers of America (1973-1974), and president of the Western History Association (1974-1975). Winner of the 1988 Western Writers of.

Don E. Worcester, a highly respected author and Spanish-Borderlands historian, was born on April 29, 1915, in Tempe, Arizona, but soon moved to his grandfather’s homestead on the edge of the Mojave Desert with his mother and brother. It was on this homestead that Worcester became a true cowboy, rodeoing with the Indians who lived on the nearby reservation and learning their way of life.

Worcester received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bard College in 1939 and his Masters Degree from the University of California at Berkley in 1940. After a stint in the Navy, he returned to the University of California at Berkley and received his Ph.D. in 1947. Worcester was at the University of Florida from 1947-1963, serving as the Chairman of the History Department from 1955-1959. He then took a professorship at Texas Christian University, serving as Chairman of the History Department from 1963-1972.

Worcester also played vital roles in many historical and literary organizations and reviews. Most notably, he served as the Phi Alpha Theta national president from 1960-1962. He was the president of the Western Writers of America from 1973-1974 and of the Western History Association from 1974-1975. Worcester also served as the Chairman of the Board of University Press Managers from 1961-1963 and was the managing editor of the Hispanic American Historical Review from 1960-1965.

Don E. Worcester, a highly respected author and Spanish-Borderlands historian, was born on April 29, 1915, in Tempe, Arizona, but soon moved to his grandfather’s homestead on the edge of the Mojave Desert with his mother and brother. It was on this homestead that Worcester became a true cowboy, rodeoing with the Indians who lived on the nearby reservation and learning their way of life.

Worcester received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bard College in 1939 and his Masters Degree from the University of California at Berkley in 1940. After a stint in the Navy, he returned to the University of California at Berkley and received his Ph.D. in 1947. Worcester was at the University of Florida from 1947-1963, serving as the Chairman of the History Department from 1955-1959. He then took a professorship at Texas Christian University, serving as Chairman of the History Department from 1963-1972.

Worcester also played vital roles in many historical and literary organizations and reviews. Most notably, he served as the Phi Alpha Theta national president from 1960-1962. He was the president of the Western Writers of America from 1973-1974 and of the Western History Association from 1974-1975. Worcester also served as the Chairman of the Board of University Press Managers from 1961-1963 and was the managing editor of the Hispanic American Historical Review from 1960-1965.

Don Worcester, a highly respected author and Spanish-Borderlands historian, was born on April 29, 1915, in Tempe, Arizona, but soon moved to his grandfather's homestead on the edge of the Mojave Desert with his mother and brother. It was on this homestead that Worcester became a true cowboy, rodeoing with the Indians who lived on the nearby reservation and learning their way of life.

Worcester received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bard College in 1939 and his Masters Degree from the University of California at Berkley in 1940. After a stint in the Navy, he returned to the University of California at Berkley and received his Ph.D. in 1947. Worcester was at the University of Florida from 1947-1963, serving as the Chairman of the History Department from 1955-1959. He then took a professorship at Texas Christian University, serving as Chairman of the History Department from 1963-1972.

Worcester also played vital roles in many historical and literary organizations and reviews. Most notably, he served as the Phi Alpha Theta national president from 1960-1962. He was the president of the Western Writers of America from 1973-1974 and of the Western History Association from 1974-1975. Worcester also served as the Chairman of the Board of University Press Managers from 1961-1963 and was the managing editor of the Hispanic American Historical Review from 1960-1965.

Donald Emmet Worcester was born on April 29, 1915 in Tempe, Arizona. He earned his B.A. from Bard College in 1939. He then attended the University of California, earning his M.A. in 1940 and Ph.D. in 1947. Donald Worcester has been a lecturer and professor in history for over 20 years in California, Florida and Texas. Many of his children's books cover the topics of Apache Indians and horses.

Biographical Source: Something About the Author, vol. 18, pp. 301-303.