SAN MARCOS, Texas — Literary giant Cormac McCarthy died Tuesday at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at age 89.

While you may be aware that his novels have a strong Texas connection, what you may not know is that the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University acquired the acclaimed author’s archives in 2007. The collection was opened to researchers in 2009.

Wittliff Collections marked McCarthy’s passing with a statement:

“We at the Wittliff Collections were deeply saddened to learn of Cormac McCarthy’s passing. He is a literary immortal and his work will live on through his revered books,” said Steven L. Davis, literary curator with The Wittliff Collections. “More than 15 years ago, Cormac entrusted us to care for his archives. A group of our staff arrived at his home in Santa Fe and we will never forget how warmly he greeted us, sharing coffee and conversation before we packed up his papers to bring to Texas State University.

“Since acquiring the archive, we’ve made his literary papers available to hundreds of researchers from around the globe – including many Texas State students,” Davis said. “We’ve seen dozens of books, dissertations and articles published using the extensive McCarthy archives at The Wittliff, all of which further our understanding of McCarthy’s unique literary achievements. McCarthy will go down in history as one of America’s most influential writers.

“We offer our condolences to the McCarthy family at this sad time.”

According to Witliff Collections, the collection housed at Texas State University features nearly 100 boxes containing notes, correspondence, hand-written and typed drafts, setting copies, proofs and other materials documenting the author’s career.

McCarthy — whose best-known novels include “No Country for Old Men,” “The Road,” “Blood Meridian” and “All the Pretty Horses” — was awarded the Pulitzer in 2007 for “The Road.”

For more information on the Wittliff Collections, click here.