Crawford, Ann Fears

Author, historian, and college teacher, of Texas; b. Ann Fears, 1932; married Frank B. Crawford, 1953.

Texas author, historian and librarian.

A life-long resident of East Texas, Ann Fears was born in Beaumont on 1932 August 26, the daughter of Dr. T. A. and Dorothy Huey Fears. After graduating from Beaumont High School in 1949, Fears attended the University of Texas at Austin, where earned a degree in drama in 1953. She later received a master's degree in education from Los Angeles State College and two additional degrees from the University of Texas, a doctorate in American studies (1976) and a master’s in library and information science (1988). While living in Los Angeles, Fears married Frank B. Crawford, Jr.; the couple had one son and later divorced.

Crawford taught history at a number of Texas high schools, colleges, and universities. In addition, Crawford was also a noted biographer and writer of Texas history. Her works included several books for young readers; numerous textbooks; John B. Connally: Portrait in Power, coauthored with Jack Keever; and The Eagle: The Autobiography of Santa Anna, which she edited. Particularly interested in the lives and accomplishments of Texas women and their increasing role in politics, Crawford wrote Women in Texas and Texas Women: Frontier to Future with Crystal Sasse Ragsdale. She also served as the Director of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library from 1989 to 1992. A long-time member of the East Texas Historical Association, Crawford was also involved with the Texas State Historical Association and the American Studies of Texas Association.

Ann Fears Crawford died in Beaumont, Texas, on 2004 May 14.

References

Ann Fears Crawford biographical file, Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, San Antonio, Texas.