Guide to the Ira P. Hildebrand Papers, 1883-1944

Historical Background

Ira Polk Hildebrand, born in La Grange, Texas, acquired a B.A. degree at Texas Christian University in 1897, and B.A. and LL.B. degrees at The University of Texas in 1899. He took another LL.B. at Harvard in 1902. After private practice in San Antonio he became professor of law at Texas in 1907. In 1912 he compiled, with E. H. Warren, Select Cases and Other Authorities on the Law of Private Corporations and, in 1942, wrote The Law of Texas Corporations. He became dean of the Law School in 1924, serving until 1940, and introduced the case method of law teaching to Texas. Dean Hildebrand was intensely concerned with improving the law school and devoted considerable effort to recruiting faculty. He was also keenly aware of student money problems in the lean years of the Depression and worked on fellowships and grants for them, some through the Federal Emergency Relief Administration during the 1930s. The dean was well-known nationally, and respected for his work on stricter standards for the legal profession. His legal advice was sought by the University of Texas on the Permanent University Fund controversies and other matters. He was active on the Texas Civil Judicial Council and did considerable work for the Texas Bar Association and the American Law Institute. Hildebrand voiced strong, sometimes exaggerated, opinions on many subjects, including individual students and politics.

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Contents of the Collection

The largest portion of the collection, Law School Administration Files, consists primarily of the files of the Dean of the University of Texas School of Law during the time Hildebrand held that post, and document all aspects of the Law School's administration under Hildebrand's deanship. Also present is correspondence on public matters, typescript and manuscript notes for books, class material with top student papers, and printed reference sources. University of Texas files reflect Hildebrand's service in University-wide activities, particularly as legal adviser to the University administration in a struggle with Texas A&M University over apportionment of the Permanent University Fund. The State of Texas and National Files relate to Hildebrand's involvement in legal and professional organizations, and in public affairs.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

None.

Use Restrictions

The collection and any reproductions of the collection are made available for the purposes of private study, scholarship, and research only.

Tarlton Law Library does not hold the copyright to the materials, unless it has been transferred to the library by the creator. It is the researcher's responsibility to determine the copyright status and to obtain permission from the copyright holder before publishing any materials from the collection.

Some collections may contain sensitive or confidential information protected under federal and state privacy laws. The researchers are encouraged to report any such information to staff.

The University of Texas at Austin is not responsible for violations of intellectual property rights and any other laws or for liability to any person for defamation or invasion of privacy that result from unauthorized use of the collection by the researcher.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Ira P. Hildebrand Papers, Tarlton Law Library, The University of Texas at Austin.

Acquisition Information

Four items (2 letters, 2 essays) from Faculty Personnel Files; transferred by Associate Dean Alex Albright, 1/31/2003 (AR2003-002).

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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