Craddock, Emmie

Biography

Dr. Emmie Craddock (1915–1998) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. She graduated as an honor student from Rice University (1936) and then earned both her MA (1949) and PhD (1954) in history at the University of Texas. Craddock served in the U.S. Navy from 1942–1946 and retired from the Naval Reserve as a lieutenant commander.

Craddock taught in Southwest Texas State University's history department from 1950–1980. She founded and directed the university's General Honors Program from 1967–1980. She received a number of awards in recognition for her service, including the Piper Award (1962) for excellence in teaching and the President's Excellence Award (1982). In addition, Craddock was the first female mayor in San Marcos history, holding office from 1974–1976 and then again from 1981–1989. She also served on the San Marcos City Council for many years. Governor White appointed Craddock as General Chairman of the Texas Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1986.

Texas 150 Oral History

Dr. Emmie Craddock talks about her early life in Louisiana and then Houston, her education at Rice University, and her early teaching days in Missouri City. She recalls her time in the U.S. Navy during WWII, during which she was head of the women's reserve, as well as studying for her PhD in history with W.P. Webb at the University of Texas. She discusses how she was hired by James Taylor to join the history department and her career as a faculty member at Southwest Texas State Teachers College. Craddock also describes her political career as a councilwoman and mayor for the City of San Marcos, touching on topics such as creating a local charter and dealing with environmental disputes, ordinances, flooding, and landfills.