Bryan, James P. (James Perry)

The son of W. Joel and Cassie (Perry) Bryan, James Perry Bryan, Sr. (1909-1975) was an attorney, Texas historian, and University of Texas regent. Following his graduation from the University of Texas at Austin around 1929, Bryan joined the law firm of Masterson and Bryan in Angleton. He then served Brazoria County as county attorney (1936-1940), worked as general counsel for Dow Chemical (1942-1958), and was vice president of the Brazos Oil and Gas Company (1946-1958). Bryan also served on several school boards and the boards of numerous local companies, such as the Lake Jackson State Bank.

A relative of Stephen F. Austin, Bryan avidly researched the history of the Austin-Bryan-Perry family and of Brazoria County and surrounding areas. He joined numerous historical associations, including the Sons of the Republic of Texas and the Texas State Historical Association, serving as president of the latter. In 1957, Bryan became a regent of the University of Texas, to which he later donated a large collection of Texan and Southwestern maps and books. His historical research and collecting led to several publications, including Texas in Maps (1961) and Mary Austin Holley: The Texas Diary, 1835-1838 (1965).

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