Thomason, John W. (John William), 1893-1944

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John William Thomason, Jr. (1893-1944), author, artist, and United States Marine Corps captain, was born in Huntsville, Texas, on February 28, 1893. During his life, he attended several universities, institutes, and colleges, including Southwestern University, Sam Houston Normal Institute, the University of Texas, the Art Students League in New York, and the Army and Navy War colleges. Before joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1917, he taught school, worked as a school principal, wrote for the Houston Chronicle, and trained as a member of the Citizens Military Training Corps in San Antonio.

As a marine in World War I, Thomason fought in numerous engagements and battles in France, such as the battles of Belleau Wood, Château-Thierry, Saint-Mihiel, Soissons, and Mont Blanc Ridge. Following the war, Thomason was stationed in Cuba, Nicaragua, and China, as well as served aboard the USS Rochester. Additionally, he worked as an aide for Assistant Secretary of the Navy Henry Roosevelt and for the Office of Naval Intelligence. In 1944, Thomason died in San Diego, California, while performing military duties related to World War II. Following his death, a portion of the Marine Base in Quantico, Virginia, a navy destroyer, and the Graphic Arts Building at Sam Houston State University were named for him.

Between WWI and WWII, Thomason wrote eleven books and over 60 articles. His books include Fix Bayonets (1926), Jeb Stuart (1930), Gone to Texas (1937), and Lone Star Preacher (1941). Additionally, he published articles, concerning WWI, military service, and Texas, in American Mercury, Scribner's, and the Saturday Evening Post . His writing style is often labeled as “realistic romanticism.” As an artist, he limited himself to illustrating his own work, mainly in pen and ink, occasionally using watercolors.

Source: Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. “Thomas, John William, Jr.,” http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/TT/fth13.html (accessed July 30, 2010).

From the guide to the Thomason, John William, Jr. Papers 1950; 71-127., 1918-1950, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Thomason, John William, Jr. Thomason, John William, Jr., Papers, 1918-1950 University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf Thomason, John W. (John William), 1893-1944. Approach to Pieping : annotated typescript, [1936]. Princeton University Library
referencedIn Fred A. Rosenstock autograph collection L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Biography -- Thomason, John W. Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library
referencedIn New Yorker records New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn John Phillips Marquand correspondence Houghton Library
referencedIn Thomason, John William, Jr. Papers 1950; 71-127., 1918-1950 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Benét, Stephen Vincent, 1898-1943. Letter, ca. 1940. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Thomason, John William, Jr. Papers 1950; 71-127., 1918-1950 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Alexander Woollcott correspondence, ca. 1856-1943 (inclusive), 1920-1943 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Alexander Woollcott correspondence, ca. 1856-1943 (inclusive), 1920-1943 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Thomason, John W. (John William), 1893-1944. The war dog and the uniform : annotated typescript, [19--]. Princeton University Library
referencedIn Stallings, Laurence, 1894-1968. Papers of Laurence Stallings [manuscript], 1927-1928. University of Virginia. Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aylesworth, Barton O. (Barton Orville), 1860-1933 person
associatedWith Benét, Stephen Vincent, 1898-1943 person
associatedWith Houston Chronicle (Houston, Tex.) corporateBody
correspondedWith Marquand, John P. (John Phillips), 1893-1960 person
correspondedWith New Yorker Magazine, Inc corporateBody
associatedWith Rosenstock, Fred A., b. 1895 person
associatedWith Saturday evening post. corporateBody
associatedWith Stallings, Laurence, 1894-1968. person
associatedWith Thomason, John William, Jr. person
associatedWith Thomason, John W. (John William), 1893-1944 person
associatedWith United States. Marine Corps. corporateBody
correspondedWith Woollcott, Alexander, 1887-1943 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Château-Thierry (France)
France
Texas
Subject
American literature
Belleau Wood, Battle of, France, 1918
Château
Marne, 2nd Battle of the, France, 1918
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1949
Occupation
Authors, American
Activity

Person

Birth 1893-02-28

Death 1944-03-12

Americans

English

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