Mrs. John L. Morris (Marjorie)
Odessa, Ector County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Originator, promoter of the Globe of the Great Southwest, world's most nearly authentic replica of the Globe Theater in England made famous by the plays of William Shakespeare. Mrs. Morris was educated at North Texas State University and joined the English faculty at Odessa College. In 1961 the college named her "Teacher of the Year." She was honored 1961 as an outstanding teacher in Texas colleges. She also founded the Permian Basin Museum and area "Writers' Roundup" contest, both of which are sponsored by Odessa College. Outstanding Women of Texas series - 1967
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
An English professor at Odessa College, Marjorie Morris was the driving force behind the Globe of the Great Southwest, a remarkably faithful replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre built in West Texas. Named her college's Teacher of the Year in 1961 and honored the same year among the state's outstanding college teachers, she also founded the Permian Basin Museum and the area's "Writers' Roundup" contest. She was recognized in the Outstanding Women of Texas series in 1967.
Why it matters
Her career shows how a single dedicated educator could plant lasting cultural institutions in a remote oil-country town.
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Related people
- · Marjorie Morris
Themes & tags
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