Thomas McAdory Owen

Biography

Thomas McAdory Owen founded the Alabama Department of Archives and History, ensuring that the state’s story would be preserved with care and scholarly rigour. His publications and tireless collecting efforts preserved the voices of many, offering future generations a richly documented past.

He championed archival work at a time when records were often neglected, believing that a community’s understanding of itself depended upon an honest engagement with history. His devotion ensures that countless researchers continue to benefit from the foundations he laid.