Fleming, Richard T., 1890-1973

Richard Tudor Fleming (1890-1973) grew up in Temple, Texas, and attended the University of Texas at Austin. His college career included a term as editor of the Cactus yearbook, membership on the UT track team, and co-founding of the underground newspaper Blunderbuss . Fleming earned his law degree in 1915, and began a successful law career in Houston. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War I. Finally he rose through the ranks of the Texas Gulf Sulphur Company and retired as vice president of the company.

As a student at the University of Texas, Fleming began a lifetime of collecting a wide range of University-related material such as writings, photographs, music, and paintings. He donated this diverse collection to the University, thus establishing the Richard T. Fleming Library of Texas Writers. He served as the unpaid curator and collector until his death in 1973.