Julia E. Stewart, a native of Georgetown, attended Southwestern University in the first half of the twentieth century. She came to Southwestern University in 1910, and took classes until 1912. During this time she attended the Summer Normal and Fitting School in order to become a teacher. She returned in 1915-1916 for another session of Summer Normal. In the 1920s, Stewart taught elementary school, though we do not know where she taught. Later, Stewart once again returned to Southwestern University to broaden her education. She attended the university from 1935-1941, graduating with a bachelor’s degree. In 1935 she was initiated into Sigma Tau Delta and was the secretary for this group in 1939. In 1938, Stewart became a member of Pi Gamma Mu. In 1941 she was chosen to be a member of Alpha Chi.

Stewart’s papers came to SU some time in the 1990s. A note indicated that she was 106 years old at the time, living in the Mel Haven Convalescent Home in Corsicana. The note stated that she was hard of hearing but still sharp as a tack, still writing, and studying the Bible daily. The Corsicana newspaper did stories annually on her February (?) birthday.

Writings, certificates, poem booklets, school storybook, school papers, and a Southwestern University magazine make up the scope of this collection. Most materials are Stewart’s school papers, which she wrote during her school days at Southwestern University. The bulk of these papers are from 1935-1941. They consist of prose, poems, and critiques of other written works. Stewart wrote a partial novel entitled Ebb Lange, which seems to be about a family’s life on their farm. She wrote prize-winning poetry and prose and was honored by having Dean Meyers ask for her piece entitled Music. She wrote many of her poems on nature and life in general. She also won a prose contest sponsored by the Southwestern Magazine. Her prose, Time, was published in the May 1939 edition of this magazine.

Box.Folder

1.1 Southwestern University School Papers, 1911-1912 and 1936-1941

1.2 Storybook by Julia Stewart’s fourth graders, 1920s

1.3 Essays of Review and Criticism; English 393 Dr. Claude Howard

1.4 Poetry and Prose

1.5 Fictional Story: Ebb Lange

1.6 School Certificates, 1935-1941