Contents and Arrangement Expanded View
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Collection Overview

Creator:
Princeton University. Dept. of Biology.
Title:
Department of Biology Records
Repository:
Princeton University Archives
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/r494vk17f
Dates:
1892-2007 (mostly 1910-1969)
Size:
18 boxes and 2 items
Storage Note:
  • This is stored in multiple locations.
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Box 1-17
  • : Box 18
Language:
English

Abstract

The study of biology began at the College of New Jersey with the appointment in 1830 of botanist John Torrey into a part-time faculty position; it expanded with the formation of the School of Science in the 1870s; and was established as a department in 1904. The collection primarily consists of the records of the Department of Biology assembled during the tenures of Department Chairmen Edwin G. Conklin and Elmer Butler. Included are correspondence, general subject files, and records pertaining to grants, research endowments, publications, and administrative matters such as budgets and staffing. Also includes sponsored research reports and student grade cards.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

The collection primarily consists of the records of the Department of Biology assembled during the tenures of Department Chairmen Edwin G. Conklin and Elmer Butler. Included are correspondence, general subject files, and records pertaining to grants, research endowments, publications, and administrative matters such as budgets and staffing. Also includes sponsored research reports and student grade cards. A group of photographs was added to the collection in 2021.

Collection Creator Biography:

Princeton University. Dept. of Biology.

The study of biology began at the College of New Jersey with the appointment in 1830 of botanist John Torrey into a part-time faculty position; it expanded with the formation of the School of Science in the 1870s; and was established as a department in 1904. Four years after the department was formed under the leadership of President Woodrow Wilson and William Berryman Scott, Blair Professor of Geology, Edwin Grant Conklin was appointed as the first full-time chair of the department. With the completion of Guyot Hall in 1910, the Department of Biology was given an official home, which it soon outgrew after a period of rapid growth. In 1960 the Moffett Laboratory was added to the building, and a biology library was formed soon after. Over the years the course of study offered by the Department of Biology has changed frequently to reflect advances in the field and the particular strengths of faculty, and in 1990 the Department was divided into the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and the Department of Molecular Biology.

Collection History

Processing Information

There is no processing information for this collection prior to 2021. Series 5, Photographs, was added in 2021 by Phoebe Nobles. Series 6, Molecular Biology Department Records, was added in 2022 by Phoebe Nobles.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Records are closed for 30 years from the date of their creation. Materials older than 30 years that do not pertain to student academic performance, trustee issues, or faculty personnel matters are open.

Series 4 Grade Cards, are restricted for 75 years from the date of their creation. Series 5, Photographs, are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. For instances beyond Fair Use, if copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of materials from the Princeton University Archives.

For instances beyond Fair Use where the copyright is not held by the University, while permission from the Library is not required, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

Department of Biology Records; Princeton University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/r494vk17f
Location:
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
(609) 258-6345
Storage Note:
  • This is stored in multiple locations.
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Box 1-17
  • : Box 18