Smithsonian Institution Archives

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

Record Unit 7430
S.F. (Sydney Fay) Blake Papers,
1909-1960

Introduction

Historical Note

Descriptive Entry


INTRODUCTION

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


HISTORICAL NOTE

Sydney Fay Blake (1892-1959) was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts. He studied systematic botany at Harvard, receiving his B.A. in 1912, his M.A. in 1913, and his Ph.D. in Botany in 1917. He began work as a Botanist at the Bureau of Plant Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1917 and worked there until his death. He published a number of botanical works and was writing the second volume of his "Flora of the World" at the time of his death.


DESCRIPTIVE ENTRY

This collection contains some of Blake's professional and personal correspondence. He corresponded with many botanists and herbarists concerning the identification, naming, and exchange of specimens. The collection also contains administrative correspondence concerning Blake's position at USDA and substantial correspondence with family and friends. Additional materials include Blake's salutatory address at Stoughton (Mass.) High School; the 1912 Harvard University Commencement Program; newspaper clippings; an account of Blake's trip to London during World War I; and photographs of Blake, his wife Doris Holmes Blake, and family and colleagues.

Box 1 of 1
Folder1   A
Folder2   B
Folder3   C
Folder4   D
Folder5   E
Folder6   F
Folder7   G
Folder8   H
Folder9   J
Folder10   L
Folder11   M
Folder12   P
Folder13   S
Folder14   W
Folder15   Miscellaneous Correspondence, Clippings, and Genealogical Information
Folder16   Salutatory Address, 1909
Folder17   Harvard Graduation Program, 1912
Folder18   Newspaper Clippings
Folder19   Photographs
Folder20   Calendar Pictures of Massachusetts
Folder21   Account of Trip to England


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Revised: May 23, 2003