Bridging Cultures

Jon Graham likes to tell the story of his mother, Ann Hartness, who as a young woman left her small hometown to follow her dreams. Ann is renowned for her 38-year career and tenure as head librarian of the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection at The University of Texas at Austin, which showcases one of the world’s foremost collections of Brazilian history and culture.

Jon and his wife, Elizabeth Ulmer, both graduates of UT’s School of Law, made a generous donation to the collection to honor Ann’s legacy. The couple is directing a portion of their gift to establish the Jonathan Graham and Elizabeth Ulmer Fund for Library Materials on Brazil, an endowment to enhance the Benson’s Brazilian studies collection. The remainder of their gift will match other donors’ gifts to new or established endowments in any area at the Benson, dollar for dollar.

“Elizabeth and I are pleased to support the Benson and, in particular, to help ensure that its collection of Brazilian materials will continue to grow and be well curated for years to come,” says Jon. “We hope many generations of scholars will benefit from access to the materials my mother collected over the course of dozens of trips to Brazil — and the many more collection trips that our gift will make possible in the future.”

Ann graduated from UT with a B.A. in 1958 and a graduate degree in library science in 1961. As a young bride, her passion for Latin American history was ignited in Brazil, where she lived with her husband, Richard Graham, while he worked on his Ph.D. Dr. Graham is a distinguished Latin American historian and for three decades was a professor at UT, where he is now a professor emeritus.

In 1970, Ann joined the Benson, working as a cataloger of Latin American periodicals. She helped transition their services into the digital world and eventually worked her way up to director. Throughout her tenure, she increased the depth and breadth of the library’s holdings in Brazilian materials. She retired in 2008 at age 73.

“In Brazil, Ann was well known and developed important relationships for the Benson. By building such a significant collection over the years, she enabled students to understand Brazil on a deeper level,” says Elizabeth. “She has been an amazing bridge between two cultures in both her own family and in her work.”

“In Brazil, Ann was well known and developed important relationships for the Benson. By building such a significant collection over the years, she enabled students to understand Brazil on a deeper level.”   – Elizabeth Ulmer, daughter-in-law of Ann Hartness

“I always loved my job. I most enjoyed working with and getting to know students and faculty. There were never two days alike, and no matter which position I held, it was all very interesting. It still interests me today,” Ann says.

The Benson’s main reading room is frequented by students, faculty and scholars from around the world and is currently under redesign. Once renovations are complete in spring 2022, the space will reopen as the Ann Hartness Reading Room. Ann was surprised and deeply touched after learning of Jon and Elizabeth’s gift and dedication of the reading room in her honor. It is the very room where Jon spent countless hours studying as a teen and later as a Texas Law student.

“It was a refuge to study in one of the graduate student carrels in the Benson Collection. It was a quiet place to read, wander and collect my thoughts. This is a perfect way to honor my mother,” he says.