Gideon J. Buck wished to succeed Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross as President of A & M. College on two occasions. He first wished to take the position in 1894, but Ross remained for another term. After the death of Governor Ross, Mr. Buck made another attempt to fill the vacancy of Ross's position in 1898.

Gideon Buck graduated in 1857 from Union University in Tennessee, receiving at the age of seventeen a special degree of language. Among his many education-related positions, Buck was principal of Sumpterville Academy in Alabama for two years, he filled the Chair of Languages at Madison College in Tennessee, and he later served as president of Salado College in Texas.

Buck left Salado College to join the Confederate Army. He entered as a private and was appointed Drill Officer of his regiment with the rank of First Lieutenant. After the war, he practiced law for twelve years. The collection includes many letters written by Buck's friends and colleagues, recommending him for the position of President of A & M, College of Texas.