Edward Thomas Townson papers

Collection

Identifier: SC-Cent. Misc. Mss. 201

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Edward Thomas Townson papers primarily document his activities at Centenary College of Louisiana as a football player during the 1931 and 1932 seasons. The collection consists of newspaper clippings (1931-1970), photographs (circa 1932), printed items (1932), and a scrapbook (1928-1932).

The printed items include a Centenary football booklet documenting the 1932 season. It includes many inscriptions from teammates as well as Wallace “Boots” Lewis, a Black employee of Centenary’s football team.

The scrapbook mainly consists of newspaper clippings, but also includes photographs and football game programs. The programs are for games Centenary played against University of Mississippi (1932 October 15), Southern Methodist University (1932 October 22), Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (1932 October 29), Southeastern State Teachers College (1932 November 5), and Louisiana State University (1932 November 12).

Dates

1928 - 1970

Creator

Townson, Edward Thomas, 1909-1999 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Physical rights are retained by the Centenary College of Louisiana Archives and Special Collections. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Biographical / Historical

Edward Thomas Townson (1909-1999) is the son of Frank T. Townson (1869-1922) and Mary Jane Cannon (1874-1941). Raised in Glenmora, Louisiana, and known as Eddie “Touchdown” Townson, he was a celebrated athlete for his record of ninety-nine touchdowns during his years playing high school football. From fall 1930 to spring 1935, Townson was enrolled at Centenary College of Louisiana and played on the school’s football team. He worked for Louisiana Paper Company from approximately 1935 to 1988. In 1935, Townson married Elizabeth Mary Adams (1910-1995).