Loyola University professor and Texas historian Dr. Benjamin H. Johnson will give a lecture on “the stories we tell about Texas” at Del Mar on Nov. 6. The lecture begins at 6 p.m. in the Venters Business Building on Heritage Campus, Room VB100.

Johnson was born in Houston and has lived here for a decade of his adult life, despite traveling abroad and across the U.S. From all these experiences, he learned the uniqueness of Texas’s mix of modern and outsized industries and communities that make Texas the state that is.

“I love Texas and have spent most of my adult life studying it,” Johnson said. “Since childhood I have carried the sense that we’re more complicated than legend.”

His book “Texas: An American History” seeks to explore just that. Published in 2025 by Yale University Press, Johnson wanted the book to be “a history of all Texans” and was very intentional when writing so that any reader could see themselves in the book. He worked to represent Indigenous, European, Mexican, Anglo, and Black historical figures as well as paying attention to different perspectives on religion, politics, and sexuality.

“Texas belongs to all of us, and so does its history,” Johnson said.

The book strives to investigate Texas’ poor reputation for crime, pride, and politics, while also shining light on its being on the forefront of “taming frontier violence, establishing LGBTQ+ rights, and developing modern businesses such as organic food and personal computing.”

“When Americans turn on their laptops, play video games, go to church, vote, eat TexMex, buy groceries, listen to music, grill steaks, or watch football, they are paying tribute to Texas,” reads the book’s description.

“My wife tells me that I am handsome and funny.  Come to the lecture and see for yourself!” Johnson said.