Smithsonian Institution Archives

Ray S. Bassler Papers, 1875-1961 and undated

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU7234
Creators:
Bassler, Ray S. (Ray Smith), 1878-
Dates:
1875-1961 and undated
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
5.22 cu. ft. (9 document boxes) (2 5x8 boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Introduction

Introduction
This finding aid was digitized with funds generously provided by the Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These papers consist of Bassler's incoming and outgoing correspondence and a manuscript on Australian Tertiary Bryozoa with plates created during his tenure at the United States National Museum; and photographs, primarily of his family. Correspondence documents the identification and exchange of specimens; publications of scientific articles; the administration of the Department of Geology; and the effects of World War II on European scientific research, libraries, and museum geological collections. For the earlier years, there are no copies of Bassler's outgoing correspondence. Also included is correspondence addressed to Edward Oscar Ulrich and Charles D. Walcott. The Tertiary Bryozoa manuscript with annotations and plates was written by Bassler and Ferdinand Canu of France.

Historical Note

Historical Note
Ray S. Bassler (1878-1961) was born in Philadelphia. Bassler spent his childhood in Cincinnati where he came into personal contact with some noted geologists, including Charles Schuchert, Carl Ludwig Rominger, and Edward Oscar Ulrich. While in high school, Bassler sold fossils for Ulrich.
In 1902, Bassler received a B.A. degree from the University of Cincinnati and received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in 1903 and 1905, respectively, from George Washington University. From 1904 to 1948 he was an Assistant Professor of Geology there.
Bassler joined the United States National Museum staff as Assistant Curator in the Department of Geology's Division of Stratigraphic Paleontology in 1904. Three years later he was promoted to Curator in the Department's Division of Invertebrate Paleontology. From 1910 to 1922 he was Curator of the Division of Paleontology, and from 1923 to 1928, Curator of the Division of Stratigraphic Paleontology. In 1929 he was appointed Head Curator of the Department of Geology, a position which he held until his retirement in 1948 when he was appointed Associate in Paleontology.
Bassler's main interest was with the Tertiary Polyzoa of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. In this study, he collaborated with Ferdinand Canu of France from 1905 to 1931.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7234, Ray S. Bassler Papers

More Information

Notes

Personal Papers


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Bassler, Ray S. (Ray Smith), 1878- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ulrich, E. O. (Edward Oscar), 1857-1944 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Walcott, Charles D. (Charles Doolittle), 1850-1927 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Schuchert, Charles, 1858-1942 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rominger, Carl Ludwig, 1820-1907 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Canu, Ferdinand, 1863-1932 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.). Department of Geology Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
University of Cincinnati Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
George Washington University Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States National Museum. Division of Stratigraphic Paleontology Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States National Museum. Division of Invertebrate Paleontology Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States National Museum. Division of Paleontology Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Geology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Paleontology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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