Over 70 years after it opened, the Armstrong Browning Library and Museum remains a world-renowned resource, and a Baylor icon. Recently, the library acquired at auction a group of rare Browning items - letters, manuscripts, three oil paintings by “Pen” Browning, and even Robert Browning’s hat and walking stick. Scholars from around the globe still utilize the archives, and its collection continues to grow. Armstrong’s collection was the foundation of the library’s early years, consisting of letters and literary manuscripts written by the Brownings, first (and later) editions of their works, and even personal household artifacts.

And Armstrong did just that - managing to raise over $1.6 million, even amidst the Great Depression, to build what is now the Armstrong Browning Library. Then-Baylor President Pat Neff agreed with Armstrong’s request, but tasked the English professor with raising most of the necessary funds. Shortly after joining the Baylor English department in 1908, Armstrong met and befriended the Brownings’ son, “Pen.” Over the years, the Armstrongs amassed their own collection of Browning-related manuscripts and artifacts. Eventually, he sought a space at Baylor to house them. Armstrong fell in love with the Brownings while preparing to teach a class on their work. Andrew Joseph (A.J.) Armstrong and his wife, Mary Maxwell Armstrong - fulfilled a dream to house the Brownings’ legacy at Baylor.Įven before coming to Baylor, Dr. Decades after their prolific careers, two Baylor Bears - Dr.

Let’s start with the Brownings, renowned British writers who married late in life and left a significant library of poetry for future generations. The answer is found in the “Armstrong” part of the library’s name. The ABL is renowned for both its stunning appearance (often named among the nation’s most beautiful libraries) and its incredible collection of literature and art related to famous poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.īut, you may ask - why is Baylor home to the world’s leading collection of two Victorian-era English poets? The Armstrong Browning Library and Museum (ABL) has been a beautiful part of Baylor’s campus for more than 70 years.

January 2017 desktop wallpaper calendar