The State Historian of Texas is an honorary position established to promote the teaching and public understanding of Texas history. While the role does not involve administrative authority, the historian serves as a statewide advocate for historical literacy, civic education, and cultural preservation. The office supports public programming and acts as a visible representative of Texas history at civic and ceremonial events.
Authority and Responsibilities
The position was created by the 78th Texas Legislature in 2003 and is codified in Texas Government Code § 3104.002. The statute outlines the role’s purpose as assisting in and enhancing Texans’ knowledge of the state’s rich history. While duties are not rigidly defined, they often include:
- Delivering public lectures and attending historical commemorations.
- Promoting Texas history in schools, libraries, and museums.
- Encouraging the preservation of historic sites and archives.
- Supporting community events tied to state anniversaries and regional heritage.
The State Historian operates independently and in a nonpartisan capacity, often partnering with educational institutions and historical societies.
Appointment Process
The State Historian is appointed by the Governor of Texas for a two-year term and may be reappointed. Candidates are nominated by a selection panel that includes representatives from the Texas Historical Commission, the Texas State Historical Association, and other cultural or educational organizations. Appointees are typically established scholars or educators with a substantial record of public engagement and published work on Texas history.
Institutional Role and Public Engagement
Although ceremonial, the office helps connect professional historical scholarship with public audiences. The historian frequently speaks at school programs, state agency events, museum openings, and heritage festivals. The position also serves as a liaison between the academic history community and the broader public, fostering a deeper appreciation of Texas’s cultural and political development.
Past Officeholders
The State Historian position was first filled in 2007, four years after its legislative creation. Since then, a small number of prominent Texas historians have held the post.
Jesús F. de la Teja, the inaugural appointee, is a scholar of Spanish colonial Texas and Tejano history. He is known for works such as San Antonio de Béxar: A Community on New Spain’s Northern Frontier and Faces of Béxar, which explore the early development of San Antonio and the role of Tejanos in Texas history.
Bill O’Neal, who served from 2012 to 2018, is a prolific author and public speaker specializing in Texas frontier history and the Old West. His works include The Encyclopedia of Western Gunfighters and Sam Houston Slept Here, a guide to Texas historical markers. He is also noted for his commitment to public outreach, particularly with schools and civic organizations.
Monte L. Monroe, the current officeholder, is the archivist of the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University. His work emphasizes the history of West Texas, oral history preservation, and the stewardship of archival materials that document rural communities and regional development.
