Harry Ransom Center, Austin

The Harry Ransom Center, located at the University of Texas in Austin, is a renowned archive, library, and museum dedicated to the preservation and study of significant literary and cultural artifacts from the Americas and Europe. Established in 1957 by Harry Ransom, the Center's initial purpose was to expand the University's rare books and manuscript collections. Ransom, who served as its director from 1958 to 1961 and influenced its growth until 1971, acquired notable collections such as the Edward Alexander Parsons Collection, the T. Edward Hanley Collection, and the Norman Bel Geddes Collection.

This institution houses an impressive array of items, including 36 million literary manuscripts, over one million rare books, five million photographs, and more than 100,000 works of art. Among its most significant pieces are a Gutenberg Bible, one of only 21 complete copies known, and Nicéphore Niépce's c. 1826 "View from the Window at Le Gras," recognized as the first successful permanent photograph. These items are permanently displayed in the main lobby.

The Center also features a reading room for scholars and galleries for rotating exhibitions from its collections. In the 2015–16 academic year, it facilitated nearly 6,000 research visits, leading to the publication of over 145 books.

The Center's current building has been its home since 1972, and in 1983, the institution was renamed from the Humanities Research Center to the Harry Ransom Center, in honor of its founder. This establishment stands as a testament to Ransom's vision and commitment to the enrichment of cultural and academic pursuits.