Mary Couts Burnett

Painting of Mary Couts Burnett commissioned by the Friends of the Library in 1984. The artist is Fort Worth native Emily Guthrie Smith.  

Since 1925 thousands of students, faculty, staff, and visitors have crossed the Mary Couts Burnett Library threshold at TCU.  But how much do they know about the name on the building?  Despite leaving behind no personal papers,  there is historical evidence that gives insight into her life from her perspective.  Her life story has been told by others and over the years, legends and myths have emerged.  This online exhibit will attempt to tell the real story of Mary and share supporting documents about the tragedies that marked her life, her civic accomplishments, and her extraordinary gift to TCU.