Smithsonian Institution Archives

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

Record Unit 7378
W. Andrew (William Andrew) Archer Papers,
circa 1918-1973

Introduction

Historical Note

Descriptive Entry


INTRODUCTION

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


HISTORICAL NOTE

William Andrew Archer (1894-1973) was a botanist and plant collector. After serving in France during World War I, Archer earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1926. Most of his professional career was spent in various positions with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), including Curator of the National Arboretum Herbarium from 1938 to 1964. After his retirement from the USDA, Archer was appointed Research Associate in the Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). Archer's career was marked by extensive collecting trips to Central and South America and to Africa.


DESCRIPTIVE ENTRY

This collection consists mostly of correspondence documenting Archer's role as a Research Associate in the Department of Botany, NMNH, 1964-1973. Most of the letters concern his work organizing the Department's archival collections. Archer's collecting work is documented by photographs and photographic data from trips to Colombia, 1931; Central and South America, 1934-1935; and Ethiopia, 1951. Also included are photographs of Archer, including several taken during his World War I service; employment records from his USDA career; and various notes, lists, and newspaper clippings relating to his professional work.

Box 1 of 1
Folder1   Correspondence, Pre-1966

Correspondence, 1966-1971

Folder2   A-C
Folder3   D-G
Folder4   H-L
Folder5   M-R
Folder6   S-Z and Miscellaneous
Folder7   Archer Curricula Vitae
Folder8   Archer Personal - Civil Service Application
Folder9   Botanica Lecture Course, 1928-1929
Folder10   Clippings
Folder11   Bay of Manati
Folder12   Christmas Cards and Other Personal Correspondence
Folder13   Spanish-English Dictionary of Botanical Terms, 1928-1929
Folder14   Personal Information
Folder15   Book Dealers
Folder16   Samoan Photographs Received from Gov. C.D. Stearns
Folder17   Retirement - Newspaper Clippings
Folder18   Salary Records
Folder19   Professional Appointments
Folder20   Photographs of Archer
Folder21   Photographs - Columbia, 1931 (with descriptive list of photos)
Folders22-23   Photographs - Central and South America, 1934-1935
Folder24   Photographs - Ethiopia, 1951
Folder25   Register Volumes Examined for Palma Specimens
Folder26   Miscellaneous Notes
Folder27   Roll Film Record
Folder28   Address Book

Bibliography

Folder 29   Bibliography of Orator Fuller Cook, 1950 (Accession 06-098)


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Revised: July 10, 2007