Albert L. Walker was an author and professor of English at Iowa State University. He taught courses in English ranging from the works of William Shakespeare to contemporary literature and creative writing. Walker was an able administrator and served as Head of the Department of English as well as on numerous campus committees during his career at Iowa State. He authored several books on literature and composition and was also a musician and composer. This collection contains biographical information, correspondence, lecture notes, research materials, and writings. Walker's lecture notes relate primarily to classes he taught on Shakespeare's works, composition, and 20th century fiction. The collection also contains some correspondence and reports pertaining to Iowa State's Department of English.

Albert Lyell Walker was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1907. He attended Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Walker received his B.A. (1929) from Park College (University) in Parkville, Missouri, and his M.A. (1930) and Ph.D. (1936) from the University of Iowa. Walker also conducted post-doctoral study at the University of Chicago (1940-1941).

After graduating from the University of Iowa with his master's degree, Walker served as an Instructor (1930-1932) in English at the University of Arkansas. Returning to Iowa for additional graduate studies, Walker received a fellowship (1932-1935) in English from the University of Iowa. The final stop in his teaching career was Iowa State College (University) where he served as Instructor (1935-1937), Assistant Professor (1937-1940), Associate Professor (1940-1941), Professor (1941-1977), and Chair (1959-1973) of the Department of English. He taught a variety of English courses such as freshman English, propaganda analysis, contemporary literature, American literature, modern fiction, and creative writing. Walker was also an accomplished musician. He played the piano and clarinet and had one of his pieces, "Dark Tide," published (1946). Walker retired in 1977 after 42 years of service to Iowa State and was named Professor Emeritus (1977-1980).

During his time at Iowa State, Walker served on numerous committees within the department and the university. He was placed in charge of the freshman English program (1938-1959) and served on committees responsible for curriculum, capital improvements, campus planning, and administrative searches. Often he served in a leadership role on the committees. In recognition to his outstanding commitment to the university, Walker received the Faculty Citation (1974).

Walker was also an author and wrote several books on literature and composition. Most of his works are available in the Special Collections Department and include, Minimum Essential for Good Writing (call no. PE1408 W151m), Essentials of Good Writing (call no. PE1408 W151e), The Range of Literature; An Introduction to Prose and Verse (as joint editor, call no. PR119 Sch57r). Walker also wrote many short stories and novels.

Walker had two children by his first wife. After their divorce he married Jauvanta Young in 1948. Young was a former student and for many years was a technical writer and communications specialist for the Department of Statistics and the Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State. Albert Walker died October 16, 1980, and was buried in the Iowa State University Cemetery.

This collection (1923-1997, undated) contains course materials, biographical information, journals, research, correspondence, music compositions, news clippings, surveys, and copies of Walker's short stories and novels.

This collection is organized chronologically.