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

Record Unit 7380

Imlay, Ralph W. (Ralph Willard), 1908-1989

Ralph Willard Imlay Papers, 1933-1984 and undated

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Imlay, Ralph W. (Ralph Willard), 1908-1989
Title:Ralph Willard Imlay Papers
Dates:1933-1984 and undated
Quantity:2 cu. ft. (2 record storage boxes)
Collection:Record Unit 7380
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This collection consists mostly of correspondence documenting Ralph Willard Imlay's work at the USGS and the Department of Paleobiology, NMNH, and his research on invertebrate paleontology. The correspondence is with USGS, domestic, and foreign colleagues and concerns the identification of specimens, field work, publication of scientific papers, and professional matters. Also included are postcards, photographs, notes, lists, and illustrations from his research.

Historical Note

Ralph Willard Imlay (1908-1989) was a paleontologist and authority on North American Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous invertebrate fauna. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1933. In 1940, Imlay joined the staff of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as a Geologist. He remained with the USGS until his retirement in 1970. Imlay was a Research Associate in the Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), from 1967 until his death.

During his USGS career, Imlay conducted extensive field research in the western United States, Alaska, and Mexico where he collected many of the Jurassic fossils in the NMNH collection. He served as President of the Paleontological Society during 1964-1965.

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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

This collection consists mostly of correspondence documenting Ralph Willard Imlay's work at the USGS and the Department of Paleobiology, NMNH, and his research on invertebrate paleontology. The correspondence is with USGS, domestic, and foreign colleagues and concerns the identification of specimens, field work, publication of scientific papers, and professional matters. Also included are notes, lists, and illustrations from his research.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7380, Ralph Willard Imlay Papers

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Container List

Box 1

Folders 1-7 Correspondence, A-G

Box 1 of 2

Folder 8 Correspondence, Geologic Names and Correlations Committee

Box 1 of 2

Folder 9 Correspondence, Geological Society of America

Box 1 of 2

Folder 10 Correspondence, H

Box 1 of 2

Folder 11 Correspondence, Roy T. Hazzard

Box 1 of 2

Folder 12 Correspondence, Hollis D. Hedberg

Box 1 of 2

Folders 13-15 Correspondence, J-L

Box 1 of 2

Folders 16-17 Correspondence, M

Box 1 of 2

Folder 18 Correspondence, Mc

Box 1 of 2

Folders 19-25 Correspondence, N, P, R-T, V-Z

Box 1 of 2

Folder 26 Correspondence, Miscellaneous Incoming and Outgoing

Box 1 of 2

Box 2

Folders 1-4 Reading File, 1945-1962

Box 2 of 2

Folder 5 Notes and Lists on Twin Creek Limestone

Box 2 of 2

Folders 6-7 Notes and Lists on Paleontology

Box 2 of 2

Folder 8 Specimen Determinations

Box 2 of 2

Folder 9 Sample of Scientific Illustrations Used in Imlay's Paleontological Publications

Box 2 of 2