Smithsonian Institution Archives

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

Record Unit 7298
Charles P. Alexander Papers,
circa 1870-1979

By William E. Cox


Introduction

Historical Note

Chronology

Descriptive Entry

Series Descriptions

  Series 1. General Correspondence, 1906-1979 and undated

  Series 2. Entomological Biography and History File

  Series 3. Field Work File, 1926-1964

  Series 4. Field Notes, Journals, Diaries, and Notebooks, 1903-1970 and undated

  Series 5. Personal, Biographical and Family Records, 1903-1979 and undated

  Series 6. Photographs, circa 1870-1979 and undated

  Series 7. Thomas R. Harris Papers, 1919-1957 and undated

  Series 8. Jay R. Traver Papers, 1898-1949 and undated

  Series 9. Collection and Research Records

  Series 10. Diplomas and Certificates, 1910-1971

  Series 11. Lectures and Examinations, circa 1930-1968

  Series 12. 35mm Color Slides, 1940-1975 and undated



INTRODUCTION

The papers of Charles P. Alexander (Record Unit 7298) were received by the Smithsonian Archives in 1981, 1982, and 1984. The papers are open to researchers and may be consulted in the Archives.

The Archives would like to thank Dr. Wayne N. Mathis, Chairman, Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History; Dr. F. Christian Thompson, Research Entomologist, Systematic Entomology Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture; and Professor T. Michael Peters, Department of Entomology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for their help and cooperation in the transfer of the Alexander Papers to the Archives.


HISTORICAL NOTE

Charles P. Alexander (1889-1981), entomologist and authority on the Tipulidae (crane flies), was born in Gloversville, New York. He developed an early interest in natural history, primarily through the influence of an older brother, William P. Alexander. His earliest studies concentrated on ornithology, and he published his first paper on birds at the age of 13 in 1903. Gradually his interests shifted to the study of insects, and his first entomological paper, "Rove Beetles of Eastern New York," appeared in 1909. In that year, Alexander enrolled at Cornell University to study entomology under John Henry Comstock, James G. Needham, Alexander D. MacGillivray, Oskar A. Johannsen and others. At Cornell, the study of crane flies became his primary entomological pursuit. His first paper on the family, "Fulton County (New York) Tipulidae," was published in 1910--one of 25 papers on crane flies which he authored as an undergraduate. Alexander received the Bachelor of Science degree in 1913 and the Ph.D. in 1918, both from Cornell.

Alexander's professional career began in 1917 when he accepted the position of Curator of the Snow Entomological Collection at the University of Kansas. From 1919 to 1922, he served as a Curator with the Illinois Natural History Survey. In 1922, Alexander was appointed Assistant Professor at the Massachusetts Agricultural College at Amherst (now the University of Massachusetts), where he remained as a faculty member and administrator for the rest of his career. On his retirement from teaching in 1959, the University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree.

Alexander's research was almost exclusively focused on the study of the Tipulidae, the largest family of the order Diptera. He described close to 11,000 species of Diptera, over 10,000 of them belonging to the family Tipulidae. Alexander assembled a huge personal collection of crane flies which contained more than 10,500 species. He acquired many specimens on numerous field trips and collecting expeditions. Between 1934 and 1964, Alexander (assisted by his wife Mabel) made 18 collecting trips to the western United States, western Canada and Alaska. He also collected extensively in New England, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the maritime provinces of Canada. His collection was also increased by means of a large network of insect collectors, former students, and professional colleagues who sent him specimens from around the world. The collection was purchased by the Smithsonian Institution in 1973. His bibliography includes 1017 papers and books totaling over 20,000 pages, with 15,000 of his own illustrations.

Picture of giraffes.
Charles P. Alexander
collecting at Ithaca, New York, 1915

Alexander was active within the entomological profession, and his achievements were widely recognized. A member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) from 1910 until his death, Alexander served as President of the Society from 1941 to 1943 and was elected an Honorary Member in 1969. In 1976 he received the L. O. Howard Award for Distinguished Achievement in Entomology of the Eastern Branch of ESA. Alexander was also a Corresponding Member of the American Entomological Society; an Honorary Member of the National Pest Control Association; an Honorary Fellow of the Sociedad Chilean de Entomologia; an Honorary Member of the Kebun Raya Indonesia (Botanical Gardens of Indonesia); and a Fellow of the Entomological Society of London. In 1952, he was the recipient of the Bernardo O'Higgins Order of Merit of the government of Chile.

For additional biographical information on Alexander see George W. Byers, "In Memoriam. Charles P. Alexander, 1889-1981," Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 55 (1982) 409-417; Ashley B. Gurney. "Charles Paul Alexander." Fernald Club Yearbook, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, No. 28 (1959), 1-6; and John Sherwood. "Doc Alex: The World's Greatest Crane Fly Electronic Data Bank." The Washington Star, November 22, 1979.


CHRONOLOGY

September 25, 1889 Born in Gloversville, New York

1903 Published first natural history paper, "A Young Woodcock," American Ornithology, at age 13

1906 Encouraged by E. Porter Felt, begins study of crane flies

1909 Published first entomology paper, "Rove Beetles of Eastern New York," Philatelic West

1910 Published first paper on crane flies, "Fulton County (New York) Tipulidae," Entomological News

1913 Bachelor of Science, Cornell University

1917 Married Mabel Marguerite Miller in Lawrence, Kansas (November 10)

1917-1919 Curator, Snow Entomological Collection, University of Kansas

1918 Ph.D., Cornell University

1919, 1921 "The Crane Flies of New York," Cornell University Agricultural Experimental Station Memoirs

1919-1922 Curator, Illinois Natural History Survey

1922-1930 Assistant Professor, Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

1929 Diptera of Patagonia and South Chile, Part I, Crane Flies, British Museum (Natural History)

1930-1938 Professor in charge of Entomology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

1934 Collecting trip to the western United States (June-September)

1938-1948 Chairman, Department of Entomology and Zoology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

1939 Collecting trip to Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee (June)

1940 Collecting trip to Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee (May-June)

1941 Collecting trip to the western United States (June-August)

1941-1943 President, Entomological Society of America

1942 Collecting trip to the western United States (May-July)

1943 "The Diptera or True Flies of Connecticut (Tipulidae)," Connecticut State Geological and Natural History Survey, Bulletin 64

1945-1946 Acting Dean, School of Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

1946 Collecting trip to the western United States (June-September)

1946-1952 Dean, School of Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

1947 Collecting trip to the western United States and Canada (June-September)

1948 Collecting trip to the western United States (June-September)

1948-1959 Chairman, Department of Entomology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

1949 Collecting trip to the western United States and Canada (June-August)

1950 Collecting trip to the western United States (June-August)

1951 Collecting trip to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (June-July)

1952 Collecting trip to the western United States and Canada (June-September)

1952 Bernardo O'Higgins Order of Merit, Chilean Government

1953 Collecting trip to the western United States (June-September)

1954 Collecting trip to Alaska (June-September)

1955 Collecting trip to the western United States (June-September)

1956 Collecting trip to the western United States and Canada (June-August)

1957 Collecting trip to the western United States (May-August)

1958 Collecting trip to the western United States (May-August)

1959 Retirement from University of Massachusetts, Amherst

1959 Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

1959 Collecting trip to the western United States and Canada (June-September)

1959-1981 Professor of Entomology, Emeritus, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

1960 Collecting trip to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick (July)

1961 Collecting trip to Newfoundland (June-August)

1962 Collecting trip to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick (June-July)

1963 Honorary Membership, Entomological Society of America

1963 Collecting trip to California (March-July)

1964 Visiting Professor, University of California, Berkeley (January-June)

1965 A Catalog of Diptera of America North of Mexico (Tipulidae), USDA Agricultural Research Service

1967 "The Crane Flies of California", Bulletin of the California Insect Survey

1970 A Catalogue of the Diptera of the Americas South of the United States (with Mabel M. Alexander) Museu de Zoological, Univer. de Sao Paulo, Brazil

1976 L. O. Howard Award for Distinguished Achievement in Entomology, Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America

1976 One-thousandth paper on crane flies published

1979 Death of Mabel M. Alexander

December 3, 1981 Death

1982 Dedication of the Charles and Mabel Alexander Conference Room, Fernald Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (May 10)


DESCRIPTIVE ENTRY

The papers of Charles P. Alexander offer comprehensive documentation of his professional career and personal affairs. Especially well represented in the papers is material relating to his early studies of birds and insects, his collegiate career at Cornell University, his research on the Tipulidae, the development of his crane fly collection, field work and collecting trips, his teaching and administrative careers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and his activities in entomological societies and professional organizations.

Alexander was a prolific letter writer, and over half the collection consists of correspondence written and received between 1906 and 1979. The correspondence reflects all phases of his career and is particularly rich in documenting crane fly research and the building of Alexander's personal collection of Tipulidae. Alexander's network of correspondents was world-wide, and in several instances letters describing political and social issues (especially during World War II) are found. Also included are many letters to friends and family members concerning personal matters.

The collection is particularly strong in documenting field work and collecting trips conducted by Alexander, 1904-1964. Included are field notes, diaries and journals (kept by both Alexander and his wife, Mabel) documenting his initial observations on birds and insects in upstate New York; extensive collecting in the western United States, western Canada and Alaska; and field work executed in New England, the Great Smoky Mountains and the maritime provinces of Canada. Field work is also illustrated by many photographs and color slides taken by Alexander.

Materials relating to the personal life and family history of Alexander, and his wife Mabel, are found throughout the collection. Included is genealogical and biographical information on their families; an autobiographical sketch which documents Alexander's life to 1915; magazine articles and newspaper clippings concerning Alexander; correspondence relating to honors and awards, lectures and his retirement from teaching; and records summarizing his research, publications and collection. Of particular interest is his "Crane Fly Haven" Guest Book which contains many personal reminiscences and includes biographical data on entomologists.

Photographic documentation of Alexander's life and work is a major strength of the collection. Included are numerous photographs of Alexander, 1895-1979; pictures of his wife Mabel; and various family photographs. Alexander was an outstanding photographer and his papers contain over 10,000 35mm color transparencies. The slides thoroughly illustrate field work conducted by Alexander, 1951-1964, especially in western North America and include many fine pictures of flora and fauna encountered on the trips. Many slides of entomologists, professional colleagues and family members are also found.

Records dealing with Alexander's crane fly research and collection include specimen lists, research notes, species tabulations, locality data, loan documentation, maps, photographs, drawings and figures, shipment lists, information on collectors, bibliographic references, manuscripts and reprints.

The papers contain a wealth of information for researchers interested in the history of entomology. In addition to corresponding with many prominent entomologists, Alexander also collected biographical data on, and photographs of, many colleagues. The material includes autobiographical sketches solicited by Alexander, photographs, biographical data assembled by Alexander, newspaper clippings, obituaries, and publications. His collection of 35mm color slides also includes many pictures of entomologists.

The papers also include diaries and notebooks kept by Alexander during his student years at Cornell University and during his career at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; diplomas and certificates awarded Alexander; copies of lectures and examinations given by Alexander; correspondence and a notebook of the New Zealand insect collector, Thomas R. Harris; and photographs, correspondence, and family papers of the entomologist, Jay R. Traver.


SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

SERIES 1.
General Correspondence, 1906-1979 and undated

This series consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence relating to the professional career and personal life of Charles P. Alexander. A prolific letter writer, Alexander maintained an extensive correspondence with domestic and foreign entomologists and insect collectors. Especially well represented is correspondence with dipterists. Correspondents also include university colleagues and officials; representatives of professional organizations; editors of professional journals; staff of museums, research foundations, scientific societies, colleges and universities; and family members and friends. The correspondence documents Alexander's collegiate days at Cornell University, his career as a university professor and administrator, his research on crane flies and the development of his crane fly collection, collecting trips and field work, professional activities, the preparation and publication of manuscripts, and personal affairs. Letters describing twentieth-century political and social situations, especially in Europe and Asia, are found in a few instances and are noted in the folder listing. Also included is a correspondence log maintained by Alexander for the years 1966-1976.

Arranged alphabetically.

Box 1 of 119

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Box 59 of 119

SERIES 2.
Entomological Biography and History File

This series consists primarily of biographical information and photographs gathered by Charles P. Alexander on entomologists, collectors and naturalists. Alexander often requested biographical information and photographs from fellow entomologists and the families of deceased colleagues. Thus, the material includes autobiographical sketches and information; family recollections; photographs, including portraits, field pictures, group photographs and casual snapshots; information resulting from Alexander's research; newspaper clippings; obituaries; and articles and publications. Also included are papers, written by Alexander, concerning the history of crane fly research in Ecuador, Japan and New Zealand; and an account of entomology at Massachusetts Agricultural College prepared by Alexander.

For other photographs and color slides of entomologists see series 6 and 12.

Arranged alphabetically.

Box 59 of 119

Box 60 of 119

Box 61 of 119

Box 62 of 119

Box 63 of 119

SERIES 3.
Field Work File, 1926-1964

From 1934 to 1964, Charles P. Alexander took 18 major trips to the western United States, western Canada and Alaska to collect crane flies. This series documents those trips, as well as other field work done by Alexander in New England, the maritime provinces of Canada, and the Great Smoky Mountains. The material includes field notes, diaries, and journals maintained by Alexander; expense accounts, diaries, and journals kept by his wife, Mabel Miller Alexander, including narrative accounts of the trips; data on photographs taken on the trips; maps; and records relating to collecting permits.

For other field notes see series 4. Photographs and color slides taken by Alexander on collecting trips can be found in series 6 and 12.

Arranged chronologically.

Box 63 of 119

Box 64 of 119

Box 65 of 119

Box 66 of 119

Box 67 of 119

Box 68 of 119

SERIES 4.
Field Notes, Journals, Diaries, and Notebooks, 1903-1970 and undated

This series consists of field notes, journals, diaries, and notebooks maintained by Charles P. Alexander from 1903 to 1970. Of special interest are field notes and notebooks illustrating Alexander's early observations of flora and fauna in Fulton County, New York, 1903-1912. A few of these volumes are illustrated with watercolor drawings by Alexander. Also included are field notes documenting early crane fly research; notebooks, diaries and class notes kept during his college days at Cornell University; notebooks relating to his career at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, containing appointments, observations on university affairs, and related material; notebooks containing photographic data; and miscellaneous notebooks and notes, mostly concerning entomology.

Arranged chronologically.

Box 69 of 119

Box 70 of 119

Box 71 of 119

Box 72 of 119

SERIES 5.
Personal, Biographical and Family Records, 1903-1979 and undated

This series consists of materials documenting the personal life and family history of Charles P. Alexander and his wife, Mabel Miller Alexander. The material includes genealogical and biographical information on the Alexander and Miller families; magazine articles and newspaper clippings concerning Alexander; an autobiographical sketch by Alexander documenting his life to 1915; correspondence and related records regarding honors received by Alexander, lectures and talks presented by Alexander and his retirement from teaching in 1959; and materials describing the crane fly collection, publications and research of Alexander. Of particular interest is the "Crane Fly Haven" Guest Book which contains biographical information entered by entomologists visiting Alexander's laboratory, as well as entries made by Alexander.

Arranged alphabetically.

Box 73 of 119

Box 74 of 119

SERIES 6.
Photographs, circa 1870-1979 and undated

This series consists primarily of photographs of Charles P. Alexander during all stages of his life. Included are photographs of Alexander with family and friends, with entomologists and professional colleagues, at professional and university functions, during his student days at Cornell University and on field trips. In addition, there are many portraits of Alexander. Also included are photographs of Mabel Miller Alexander; pictures of family members; albums containing family photographs of Mabel Miller Alexander from 1913 to 1920; and pictures taken on family outings, vacations and field trips.

See series 12 for color slides.

Box 75 of 119

Box 76 of 119

Box 77 of 119

Box 78 of 119

Box 119 of 119

SERIES 7.
Thomas R. Harris Papers, 1919-1957 and undated

Thomas R. Harris (1883-1964), a resident of Henderson, New Zealand, was an amateur insect collector. He began collecting specimens of New Zealand crane flies for Charles P. Alexander in 1921. Thereafter, they maintained a frequent correspondence.

These papers consist chiefly of correspondence between Harris and entomologists concerning insect collecting. Correspondents include Alexander, Gilbert Archey, James W. Campbell, Guy Chester Crampton, Frederick Wallace Edwards, David Miller, John G. Myers and Andre L. Tonnoir. Also included is a notebook kept by Harris from 1922 to 1923.

For other correspondence between Alexander and Harris see series 1. For biographical information on and photographs of Harris see series 2 and 12.

Box 79 of 119

SERIES 8.
Jay R. Traver Papers, 1898-1949 and undated

Jay R. Traver (1894-1974) was an entomologist and authority on new world mayflies. Most of her professional career was spent in various faculty posts at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, from 1938 to 1962.

These papers consist mostly of photographs of Traver and her family. Also included are small amounts of family papers and professional correspondence.

For correspondence between Traver and Charles P. Alexander see series 1. For biographical information on and additional photographs of Traver see series 2.

Box 80 of 119

SERIES 9.
Collection and Research Records

This series consists of records relating to Charles P. Alexander's research on and collection of crane flies. The records include research notes, specimen lists, species tabulations, locality data, loan files, maps, photographs, drawings and figures, shipment lists, information on collectors, bibliographic references, manuscripts, reprints and newspaper clippings. Also included is a small amount of correspondence. The records are arranged alphabetically by state, country, region of the world, or subject.

Arranged alphabetically.

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Box 93 of 119

SERIES 10.
Diplomas and Certificates, 1910-1971

Arranged alphabetically.

Box 93 of 119

SERIES 11.
Lectures and Examinations, circa 1930-1968

This series consists of notes, typescripts and related materials used by Charles P. Alexander in lectures and copies of examinations given to his entomology classes at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Box 93 of 119

Box 94 of 119

SERIES 12.
35mm Color Slides, 1940-1975 and undated

This series contains 35mm color slides taken and collected by Charles P. Alexander. The slides provide comprehensive documentation of field work and collecting trips conducted by Alexander from 1940 to 1964, especially in the western United States, western Canada, and Alaska. Also included are slides taken on field trips to the Great Smoky Mountains, New England, and the maritime provinces of Canada. Alexander was an accomplished nature photographer and many fine slides of flora and fauna encountered during field work are found. The series also contains slides of entomologists, professional associates, family, and friends; slides of Alexander and his wife, Mabel Miller Alexander, at their home in Amherst, Massachusetts; slides take on vacations and outings; slides of bird drawings; and slides of insect specimens. The majority of the slides are arranged in three numerical series-eastern field trips, 1940-1949; western field trips, 1941-1964; and slides taken between 1964 and 1975. Despite the titles, slides documenting other aspects of Alexander's life and career are included in the first two series. The western field trips series also contains slides taken on trips to New England and the maritime provinces of Canada. Included are indices for each numerical series, as well as miscellaneous indices to people, places flora, and fauna represented in the slides.

Arranged numerically.

Box 94 of 119

Box 95 of 119

Eastern Field Trips, 1940-1949

Box 96 of 119

Eastern Field Trips, 1940-1949

Box 97 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 98 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 99 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 100 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 101 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 102 of 119

Western Field Trip, 1941-1964

Box 103 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 104 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 105 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 106 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 107 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 108 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 109 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 110 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 111 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 112 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 113 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 114 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 115 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 116 of 119

Western Field Trips, 1941-1964

Box 117 of 119

35mm Color Slides, 1964-1975

Box 118 of 119