During the early years at A&M, courses in ancient and modern history were central to a classical curriculum that also included the study of rhetoric, philosophy, natural history, and ancient languages. (3) Even as the program of courses was reformed over the subsequent quarter century, with greater emphasis placed on vocational rather than classical training, history remained part of the curriculum. (4) But it wasn’t until the summer of 1900 that the Department of History became a stand-alone unit by splitting from the Department of English. (5)
The first head of the department was Charles W. Hutson, who had joined the faculty in 1893. Hutson was a popular and influential member of the A&M community until his retirement in 1908. (6) His daughters were among the first women students at the university, although they were not eligible to earn degrees. Ethel Hutson began attending classes in 1893, followed by her twin sisters Mary and Sophie Hutson in 1899. (7) Both Charles Hutson and his daughter Ethel later went on to notable art careers after leaving College Station. (8)
During the first decade of its independence, the Department of History remained small, with just two or three professors on faculty. Among the courses offered in 1900 were the history of Texas, U.S. history, and the history of England. U.S. Civil War history, which would later become a mainstay in the department, was not yet taught. (9) Through the interwar years, timely classes such as Citizenship, Comparative Government, Modern Europe, and the Contemporary United States made their way into the curriculum, under the leadership of Department Head Samuel Rhea Gammon, Jr.. (10) Dr. Gammon’s son, Samuel R. Gammon III, also studied history and after a distinguished career in the Foreign Service served as Executive Director of the American Historical Association from 1981-1994. The Gammons’ legacy lives on in a substantial estate gift that supports the department’s pursuit of excellence.
It was also during this era that the department began hosting distinguished guest speakers from around the world. For example, in 1931, History welcomed Count Carlo Sforza, former Italian minister of foreign affairs and anti-fascist politician, to speak on “The New European States.” As with most of our special events, the people of Bryan/ College Station were warmly welcomed to attend. (11)
The immense challenges posed by World War II affected the History department in ways large and small. Many students and some faculty were drafted into the war effort; many did not return. One who did was professor and later department head, J.M. Nance, who taught radio repair and Morse code in the Navy before being sent to Pearl Harbor where he served under Admiral Nimitz. (12)
Local wartime developments also influenced the department’s activities. The establishment of several military camps in Texas during the war inspired a partnership between the department and the U.S. Army, as faculty were recruited to deliver talks to enlisted men on topics like “The Fallacy of Imperialism.” (13) Over the subsequent 50 years, military and diplomatic history would emerge as significant areas of strength and emphasis in the department. (14)