The Legacy of William Keleher

William A. Keleher was a man of many passions. As a lawyer, author, and philanthropist, he made history in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he lived for 84 of his 86-year-long life. He founded the largest law firm in New Mexico, set up a scholarship fund and the University of New Mexico, wrote five books about the American southwestern frontier, and established himself as a serious journalist.

Keleher lived from 1886 to 1972. During his lifetime, he wrote five historical books on the southwest: Maxwell Land Grant in 1942, 1945's Fabulous Frontier, Turmoil in New Mexico in 1952, Violence in Lincoln County in 1957, New Mexicans I Knew in 1969. He also published a book of his memoirs.

In addition to his work as a historian, Keleher also found time to become a seasoned reporter. His journalism work led him to be memorialized at the University of New Mexico's College of Arts and Sciences, where a memorial journalism scholarship was established in his name in 1980. Today, the fund has an endowment of more than $8 million.

UNM's library holds many of Keleher's papers in its archives. Today, these papers are a rich source of information about New Mexican history for historians. The papers include copies and originals of Keleher's letters, a collection of his published works, and a his research notes. The University's Zimmerman library received Keleher's books and manuscripts from Keleher's descendents.

During his life Keleher also tried his hand at real estate although the Depression got in the way of his tycoon-like ventures from taking off. In 1928, Keleher, an established attorney, and A.R. Hebenstreit, a contractor, bought land set aside for developing Albuquerque. The land the two men acquired was undesirable marsh land, but with held from a conservation project, the Rio Grande was controlled and the marshes drained. Albuquerque's premier country club moved to the site late in 1928, which made the area more appealing for potential buyers. But only part of the developing process was completed before 1929's financial fall out. The rest weren't built until after World War II.

William Keleher is still remembered in New Mexico for his talent as a renowned author, his skill as a lawyer, and his many other endeavors. The law firm he founded still operates today, and the scholarships set up in his name allow hundreds of students to attend college. William A. Keleher's legacy lives on.