Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, circa 1947-1990, with related records from 1926

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0428
Creators:
National Museum of Natural History. Department of Botany
Dates:
circa 1947-1990, with related records from 1926
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
14 cu. ft. (14 record storage boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These records primarily document the operation of the Department of Botany under Head Curators Ellsworth Paine Killip, 1947-1950, and Jason Richard Swallen, 1950-1964, and Chairmen William L. Stern, 1965-1967, Mason E. Hale, Jr., 1967-1970, Edward S. Ayensu, Dieter C. Wasshausen, Mark M. Littler, and Laurence E. Skog. Records created prior to the formation of the Department of Botany in 1947 are those of its predecessor, the Division of Plants. They include incoming and outgoing correspondence with United States and foreign botanists, curators of museums and herbaria, Smithsonian staff, and botanical collectors concerning the identification, acquisition, loan, and exchange of specimens; research and publications; professional affairs; and administrative matters.
Also included are administrative and program files concerning collection management, exhibitions, space and facilities, budget and fiscal matters, grant proposals, and departmental reviews; correspondence documenting Hale's field work in Antarctica, 1981; records concerning the death of E. Yale Dawson in 1966; records and audio tapes from memorial services for Hale, Thomas R. Soderstrom, and Richard H. Eyde; annual reports, circa 1960-1989; plans of operations, circa 1950-1960; and records of the Department's Herbarium Services Unit, 1970-1980, which mostly concern collection management and the identification of specimens.

Historical Note

Historical Note
Edward S. Ayensu became Chairman of the Department of Botany in 1970. He served until 1976, when he was succeeded by Dieter C. Wasshausen, who directed the Department until 1982. Mark M. Littler was appointed Chairman in 1982. He was succeeded by Laurence E. Skog in 1987.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 428, National Museum of Natural History. Department of Botany, Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Killip, Ellsworth Paine, 1890- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Swallen, Jason R. (Jason Richard), 1903-1991 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stern, William Louis, 1926- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hale, Mason E. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ayensu, Edward S. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wasshausen, Dieter C. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Littler, Mark M. (Mark Masterton) Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Skog, Laurence E. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dawson, Elmer Yale, 1918-1966 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Soderstrom, Thomas R. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Eyde, Richard H. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States National Museum. Division of Plants Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Herbarium Services Unit Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Botany Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Botanists Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Antarctica Place Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Audiotapes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
Contact us at osiaref@si.edu