Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1897-1943

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0242
Creators:
United States National Museum. Department of Biology
Dates:
1897-1943
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
9.51 cu. ft. (17 document boxes) (2 12x17 boxes) (1 folder oversize materials)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
This record unit documents the administration of the Department of Biology under Head Curators True, 1897-1911, and Stejneger, 1911-1943. Records include correspondence of the Department, 1897-1943; quarterly reports, 1910-1940; annual reports, 1901, 1911-1941; and plans of operation, 1911-1940.
For other material relating to the Department of Biology see Record Units 143, 7074, and 7181.

Historical Note

Historical Note
The Department of Biology was created during the reorganization of the United States National Museum (USNM) in 1897. At that time, the various departments in the biological sciences became divisions, and the Department of Biology was formed as the administrative unit controlling those divisions. Frederick William True (1858-1914) became the first head curator of biology and held the position until 1911. In 1911, Leonhard Stejneger (1851-1943) was appointed head curator and remained in that capacity until his death in 1943. A small amount of correspondence in this record unit is directed to James E. Benedict (1854-1930), who was appointed chief of exhibits in the Department of Biology in 1909. His title was changed to assistant curator in 1918, and he continued in that position until his retirement in 1930.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 242, United States National Museum. Department of Biology, Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Stejneger, Leonhard, 1851-1943 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
True, Frederick William, 1858-1914 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Benedict, James E. (James Everard), 1854-1940 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Biology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Biologists Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum exhibits Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Architectural drawings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
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