The Marriott Library is pleased to announce that Dr. Todd Samuelson has accepted the role of Associate Dean for Special Collections, effective immediately. In his new role, Dr. Samuelson will provide leadership and direction for the seven-department Special Collections division and hold the role of University Archivist and University Historian. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Samuelson served as the Marriott Library’s Assistant Director for Special Collections (since February 2016).

Dr. Samuelson holds a Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Houston, as well as degrees from Boston College and Brigham Young University. He received a certificate in historical book production from Rare Book School in 2016 and the certified archivist credential in 2015. Dr. Samuelson possesses a range of university library leadership experience, previously holding positions of Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts and Director of the Book History Workshop at Cushing Memorial Library and Archives at Texas A&M University. Dr. Samuelson’s research agenda and creative work addresses the history of written communication and technologies of historical book production. His articles have appeared in journals such as Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America, Printing History, and College & Research Libraries, and he has acted as co-PI for recent Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Doris Duke Foundation grants.  He also illustrates and prints artist’s books in his home pressroom.