Smithsonian Institution Archives

Archie F. Wilson Papers, 1949-1961

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU7285
Creators:
Wilson, Archie F., 1903-1960
Dates:
1949-1961
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
5 cu. ft. (10 document boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These papers consist primarily of correspondence, 1949-1961, which documents Wilson's activities in the IWCS, the growth of his collection, and his range of contacts with botanists, foresters, and other wood collectors around the world. Topics include collecting trips, specimens, and identifications, as well as IWCS business. Of special interest is Wilson's correspondence with William L. Stern, who became Curator of the Division of Woods at the Smithsonian in 1960. The long association of the two men resulted in Wilson's gift to the Institution, at his death in 1960, of his extensive wood collection. Also included are the constitution and by-laws of the IWCS, much taxonomic data, and specimen lists.

Historical Note

Historical Note
Archie F. Wilson (1903-1960) was a wood enthusiast who assembled the foremost private wood collection in the United States. Although for most of his life he held managerial positions in the manufacturing industry, he devoted most of his free time to his avocation. During the 1950s he was a Research Associate in woods at the Chicago Natural History Museum (now the Field Museum of Natural History) and at various times between 1949 and 1960 he served as Editor, Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the International Wood Collectors Society (IWCS).

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7285, Archie F. Wilson Papers

More Information

Notes

Personal Papers


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Wilson, Archie F., 1903-1960 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stern, William Louis, 1926- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
International Wood Collectors Society Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Chicago Natural History Museum Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Field Museum of Natural History Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wood Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Botanists Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Botany Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Black-and-white photographs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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