Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of the personal papers of David Challinor, biologist, naturalist, and science advisor. Challinor served the Office of the Secretary as Special Assistant for Tropical Biology, 1966-1967, before joining the Office of International Activities as Deputy Director, 1967-1969, and later Director, 1969-1971. In 1971, Challinor became the Assistant Secretary for Science and the position was renamed to Assistant Secretary for Research in 1984. In 1988, Challinor became Science Advisor to the Secretary, a position in which he served until his retirement in 1996. Challinor then served as Scientist Emeritus at the National Zoological Park until his death in 2008.

The majority of the materials in this accession are journals in which Challinor wrote almost daily about his family, friends, work, and rowing team. Materials also include correspondence, postcards, images, lecture materials, a book proposal, and a card from Challinor's memorial service.