The Hyder Collection

A Law Library Like No Other

The Hyder Collection is not your typical academic display; it's a testament to an obsessive passion for collecting that has transformed the Tarlton Law Library into an interactive, albeit unusual, haunt. What began as Elton M. Hyder, Jr.'s endeavor to beautify the library with legal-themed art evolved under his wife Martha's vision into a global collection of "grandeur" and "warmth." This collection blends the gravitas of legal history with the quirky spirit of a world traveler's most intriguing finds.

The Obsession Unveiled

Elton, a UT Law graduate and Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal prosecutor, started collecting legal art after World War II. His collection expanded significantly when Martha, a patron of the arts, took over. She curated pieces not just for their legal significance but for their aesthetic appeal and to fit specific library nooks, incorporating non-legal decorative items like African art and kilims. The result is a deeply personal and eclectic mix, with nearly 1,000 items donated to ensure its permanence. Martha's quip that the pieces' "ghosts... are walking around the library" perfectly captures the collection's unique, almost spectral, presence within the working law library.