William Odom (1884?-1942) attended the New York School of Art (later, Parsons School of Design) around 1909. He returned to teach at Parsons for many years, eventually heading the department of Interior Design, and, in 1930, succeeding Frank Alvah Parsons as president of the school. Odom served in this capacity until his death. The collection consists of Odom's research collection of approximately 300 decorative book endpaper samples.