Rare Book Collection

Baylor Law School’s Rare Book Collection, housed on the first floor of the Law Library, features treasures gifted by Judge Frank M. Wilson and U.S. Senator William A. Blakley. Judge Wilson’s donation includes over 2,100 volumes of first editions and rare legal writings, while Senator Blakley’s contributions feature an early printing of the Magna Carta and other first editions. The collection also boasts significant works such as Las Siete Partidas, writings by Blackstone, Coke, Littleton, and Bracton, and a near-complete set of Texas session laws.

Notable items include an original transcript of Sir Walter Raleigh’s treason trial, published in “State Tryals,” and a deed from 1215 with handwriting and terminology similar to the Magna Carta. The collection also includes beautifully printed volumes of Sir Edward Coke’s “Reports” in Latin, Norman French, and English. Special permission is required to view these materials. For more information, please contact the Reference Librarian at 254.710.4587.

Please consult our Rare Book Room Bibliography for further information on materials in this collection.

The Leon Jaworski Memorial Office

The Leon Jaworski Memorial Office, located on the first floor of Baylor Law School’s Law Library, offers a glimpse into the legacy of one of our most distinguished alumni. Leon Jaworski, a 1925 graduate of Baylor Law, rose to prominence as a leader in the legal profession, best known for his pivotal role as Special Prosecutor during the Watergate crisis, his contributions to the Nazi war crimes trials, and his steadfast commitment to civil rights. The office is a faithful recreation of his original law office in Houston’s Bank of the Southwest Building, complete with authentic furnishings donated by his wife, Jeanette; their children, Joseph Jaworski, Claire Draper, and Joanie Moncrief; and his former law firm, Fulbright & Jaworski.

Today, the Leon Jaworski Memorial Office serves as a unique space for Career Development Office interviews and occasional small-group meetings, preserving the spirit of a legal giant. Tours may be arranged by contacting the Office of the Dean at Baylor Law at 254.710.1911.