Usage conditions may apply for digital images, video, and sound recordings linked within SOVA collections. While digital content may be restricted, SOVA collection descriptions and catalog records are available CC0 for re-use. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Richard S. Cowan Papers, circa 1952-1985 and undated
Summary
- Collection ID:
- SIA.FARU7356
- Creators:
-
Cowan, Richard S., 1921-1997
- Dates:
-
circa 1952-1985 and undated
- Languages:
-
English
- Physical Description:
-
6 cu. ft. (6 record storage boxes)
- Repository:
-
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Descriptive Entry
Descriptive Entry
This collection documents Cowan's career as a systematic botanist at the New York Botanical Garden, USNM, and NMNH. Included are incoming and outgoing correspondence concerning the identification of specimens, the preparation of scientific papers and monographs, and professional activities; a subject file mostly documenting his research; and files relating to his work as Secretary of the National Committee of the International Botanical Congress, 1969.
For additional materials documenting Cowan's botanical research and administrative career at NMNH, see Record Units 155, 197, and 9501.
Historical Note
Historical Note
Richard Sumner Cowan (1921-1997), a systematic botanist specializing in neotropical flora, received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1952. From 1952 to 1957, he served as Assistant Curator at the New York Botanical Garden. Cowan joined the United States National Museum (USNM) in 1957 when he was appointed Associate Curator in the Department of Botany. In 1962, he was appointed Assistant Director of the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), and, in 1965, Director. Cowan retired from administration in 1973 and resumed his research as a Senior Botanist at NMNH. He remained in the position until his retirement in 1985. Cowan's primary research interest is the systematics of legumes in tropical America.
Administration
Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives
Using the Collection
Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7356, Richard S. Cowan Papers
More Information
Notes
Personal Papers
Keywords
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
Contact us at osiaref@si.edu