The state historian is appointed by the governor and is recommended by both the Texas State Historical Association and the Texas Historical Commission.
| Year | Historian, College |
| 2007-09 | Jesús de la Teja, Texas State University |
| 2009-12 | Light Cummins, Austin College |
| 2012-16 | Bill O’Neal, Panola College |
| 2016-18 | vacant |
| 2018-22 | Monte Monroe, Texas Tech University |
