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Finding Aids to Personal Papers and Special Collections in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 7437

Conger, Paul S. (Paul Sydney), 1897-1979

Paul S. Conger Papers, 1926-1966

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Conger, Paul S. (Paul Sydney), 1897-1979
Title:Paul S. Conger Papers
Dates:1926-1966
Quantity:7.48 cu. ft. (1 record storage box) (1 document box) (1 12x17 box) (1 3x5 box) (15 5x8 boxes)
Collection:Record Unit 7437
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

These papers were created by both Paul S. Conger and Albert Mann and document their research on diatoms. They include correspondence with colleagues concerning the identification of specimens, publications, and professional matters, circa 1929-1966; correspondence, notes, publications, newspaper clippings, and related materials regarding Conger's investigation of several Synura epidemics in the Washington, D.C., water system during the 1940s and 1950s; correspondence concerning a conference of cooperating microbiologists on fish food problems which was organized by Mann in 1926; correspondence concerning Conger's article on Wisconsin peat deposits, 1939-1941; photographs of Mann, circa 1920s-1930s; and glass plate negatives of diatoms, diatom habitats, collecting trips, collecting equipment, and general botanical subjects.

Historical Note

Paul S. Conger (1897-1979) was a botanist who specialized in the study of diatoms, microscopic components of plankton. He was the protege of Albert Mann (1853-1935), Diatomist of the Carnegie Institution of Washington (CIW). Mann was employed by the CIW but maintained his office and laboratory at the United States National Museum (USNM) where he also held the title of Honorary Custodian of Diatoms, 1913-1935. In 1922 Conger joined the staff of the Carnegie Institution and worked as Mann's assistant in the lab at the USNM. After Mann's death, Conger retained his affiliation with the CIW, serving as Research Associate, 1935-1943. Concurrently he was named Honorary Custodian of Diatoms at the USNM, 1935-1943; then Associate Curator, 1944-1966; and Botanist Emeritus of Cryptogams, 1967-1979.

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Introduction

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

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Descriptive Entry

These papers were created by both Paul S. Conger and Albert Mann and document their research on diatoms. They include correspondence with colleagues concerning the identification of specimens, publications, and professional matters, circa 1929-1966; correspondence, notes, publications, newspaper clippings, and related materials regarding Conger's investigation of several Synura epidemics in the Washington, D.C., water system during the 1940s and 1950s; correspondence concerning a conference of cooperating microbiologists on fish food problems which was organized by Mann in 1926; correspondence concerning Conger's article on Wisconsin peat deposits, 1939-1941; photographs of Mann, circa 1920s-1930s; and glass plate negatives of diatoms, diatom habitats, collecting trips, collecting equipment, and general botanical subjects.

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This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.

Name

Subject

Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7437, Paul S. Conger Papers

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Container List

Box 1

Correspondence of Albert Mann: Conference of Cooperating Microbiologists on Fish-Food Problems, and Circle of corresponding Microbiologists, 1926

Box 1 of 19

Correspondence on Wisconsin Diatom Peat Deposits, 1939-1941

Box 1 of 19

Miscellaneous Correspondence of Paul S. Conger, 1962-1966

Box 1 of 19

Swenson, John

Box 1 of 19

Synedra Epidemic (2 folders)

Box 1 of 19

Picture of Dr. Albert Mann at Lompoc, California

Box 1 of 19

Photo of Dr. Mann

Box 1 of 19

Peruvian Guano and Plankton for R. C. Murphy

Box 1 of 19

Taxonomic Notes on Genera

Box 1 of 19

Diatoms in Atmospheric Dust

Box 1 of 19

Oregon Fossil

Box 1 of 19

Diatoms of Ohio and Minnesota

Box 1 of 19

Alkali Flats, Great Salt Lake Utah - For Annie Norrington

Box 1 of 19

Crystal Lake, Wisconsin

Box 1 of 19

Miscellaneous Images

Box 1 of 19

Potomac River, Pollution Clippings

Box 1 of 19

Potomac River, Epidemic Synedra delicatissima

Box 1 of 19

Unusual Diatom Notes

Box 1 of 19

Mr. Thomas Christian's Dog "Sip"

Box 1 of 19

Doty, Maxwell

Box 1 of 19

Unlabeled Calculations

Box 1 of 19

"Diatom Epidemics" Draft

Box 1 of 19

Miscellaneous Correspondence (3 folders)

Box 1 of 19

Cummins, A. B.

Box 1 of 19

Phil Gravelle Lab Photos and Correpondence

Box 1 of 19

Pictures with Mentor Camera

Box 1 of 19

Dr. V. A. Latham, Nebraska Material

Box 1 of 19

Photos of Dr. Mann, 1929

Box 1 of 19

Miscellaneous Images

Box 1 of 19

Diatoms on Submarine Underside

Box 1 of 19

Maryland

Box 1 of 19

Correspondence As to mat board - P. Conger

Box 1 of 19

McGraw-Hill Book Co.

Box 1 of 19

Correspondence with I. L. Ophel

Box 1 of 19

Diatom Transparencies

Box 1 of 19

Geology of Diatoms

Box 1 of 19

L. J. LaPorte

Box 1 of 19

Sample Plate (?)

Box 1 of 19

Sample slides

Box 1 of 19

Box 2

Diatom Transparencies

Box 2 of 19

Boxes 3-5

Glass plate negates of collecting areas, mostly the Delaware River region; collecting trips; collecting equipment; and diatoms and diatom ecology

Boxes 3-5 of 19

Boxes 6-8

Glass plate negatives of diatoms and general botanical subjects

Boxes 6-8 of 19

Boxes 9-19

Glass plate negatives of Diatoms

Boxes 9-19 of 19

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