Today's Featured Biography

 
Paul Carlson

Since leaving North High School, I've done a few things -- most of them honorable. I have worked as a dishwasher, a teacher, a construction worker, a book editor, a grounds maintenance worker, a radio program co-host, an editor of a historical journal, and a college professor. And, I've had a couple of even more frightening jobs, like coaching ninth grade tennis. I also played college football; well, I was on the team.

In 1962 I married my college sweetheart. Ellen and I have three wonderful (of course) children, and they have given us seven grandchildren. In 1968 we moved to Texas to attend graduate school; we are still here, on "The Giant Side of Texas"

I've earned a few college degrees and wrote some books (18), two of which were also published in Europe, one of which was a History Book of the Month Club selection, and a few of which won minor prizes--I know, I know, Mrs. Amundson and Ms. Bolin would be eye-popping, jaw-dropping shocked!

For 12 years I taught American and Latin American history at Texas Lutheran University and was chair of the department for a couple of them. I moved to Texas Tech University, from where I earned my Ph.D., in 1985. I taught courses on the American West and Native American history, supposedly my specialities, at Tech. I received some university teaching awards and several research and writing honors.

I joined Ellen in retirement in 2008. We do the stereotypical retirement stuff: travel, host family gatherings during the holidays, and participate in local charitable organizations' activities. I also remain active in several state, regional, and national historial organizations.

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