Grayson County TXGenWeb

Thomas Volney Munson
1843 - 1913

Sherman Democrat
July 4, 1976

FRANCE KNIGHTS BOTANIST MUNSON FOR SAVING THREATENED VINEYARDS
The spotlight of the world was focused on this area at the turn of the century when Thomas Volney Munson, a mild-mannered botonist, rose from obscurity in his vineyard at Denison to be knighted in the Legion of Honor by the French government for having saved one of that country's major industries.
In the latter part of the 1890s the grape crop of France was threatened with extinction by a disease that was turning the plant yellow and making it barren. Munson traveled to all parts of Texas, carrying out experiments on the lime soils. He finally developed from the native grape vines of the United States a variety that resisted the disease.
By grafting, the grape vines of France were saved.
In gratitude for this act the French government sent its minister of agriculture, Pierre Viala, to Denison to confer upon Munson the highest honor the French government could award. Munson was given a place in the Legion of Honor with the title of chevalier de merite agricolse.
When Munson came to Texas in 1876, he was 33 years old. He came to this state because he felt that it would afford him vast opportunity for plant experiment. His interest in Texas dated back to his college days. The thesis for his master's degree from Kentucky University was entitled, "Trees and Forests of Texas."
He had received his bachelor of science degree from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the university in 1870.
Munson's regard for the grape as one of the most nutritious and profitable crops to cultivate was the foundation of his career.
His work in the field no doubt was the foundation of the grape industry in Grayson County, which before his death and for many years later was a leader in this area.
His determination to improve the American grape led him to travel the United States extensively. He traveled more than 50,000 miles in 40 states, gathering specimens, studying soils and testing the quality of the plants.
Although grapes grew plentifully in a wild state in this country, it was not until he began his work that the cultivated grapes of Europe could be grown anywhere in the United States except California.
He was one of the founders and for many years president of the Texas Horticultural Society. In 1903, Munson was a member of the Texas World's Fair Commision and chairman of the executive committee of Texas' Industrial Institutes.
One of the examples of his genius which brought him national recognition was his display of grapes at the Columbian Exhibition at Chicago in 1893. His table of grape classification, which he completed after years of concentrated effort, is invaluable to scientists andf viticulturists.
His interest in education and culture classed him as a leader in that field in this area.
At one time he was chosen president of Denison College and he served eight years on the Denison school board.