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

Record Unit 7169

Howell, Arthur H. (Arthur Holmes), 1872-1940

Arthur Holmes Howell Papers, circa 1905-1940, 1967

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Howell, Arthur H. (Arthur Holmes), 1872-1940
Title:Arthur Holmes Howell Papers
Dates:circa 1905-1940, 1967
Quantity:0.5 cu. ft. (1 document box)
Collection:Record Unit 7169
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

The papers of Arthur Holmes Howell include a bibliography of his works, correspondence and notes dealing with the determination of life zones in the southeastern United States, particularly Alabama, and with the birds and mammals of Florida.

Historical Note

Arthur Holmes Howell (1872-1940) developed an interest in natural history, especially birds, as a boy in New York State. He later joined the Linnaean Society of New York and the American Ornithologists' Union. Through his membership in these groups, he came to know many of the naturalists of the day, particularly Harry C. Oberholser, the ornithologist. On the advice of Oberholser, Vernon Bailey of the United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, later the Bureau of Biological Survey, gave Howell a temporary appointment in 1895 and took him on a western trip as a field assistant.

Following a second temporary appointment in 1896, Howell became a permanent special assistant and was assigned work on the preparation of scientific study skins and the Bureau's mammal collection. Howell remained with the Biological Survey until his death and held the position of Senior Biologist in the Division of Wildlife Research, Fish and Wildlife Service, successor agency of the Bureau.

During his career, Howell became one of the leading American ornithologists and mammalogists. He was a charter member of the American Society of Mammalogists, a member of the Society's Board of Directors, 1935-1940, and Chairman of the editorial committee, 1938-1940. In addition, he was a Fellow of the American Ornithologists' Union and a member of the Baird Ornithological Club, the Cooper Ornithological Club, and the Biological Society of Washington. Howell's major publications dealt with the fauna of the southeastern United States, particularly birds and mammals.

Howell published 118 works. His major works included The Birds of Arkansas, Birds of Alabama, and Florida Bird Life. At the time of his death, he was also preparing two manuscripts for the North American Fauna Series, A Revision of the Classification of Red Squirrels and The Mammals of Florida.

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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

The papers of Arthur Holmes Howell include a bibliography of his works, correspondence and notes dealing with the determination of life zones in the southeastern United States, particularly Alabama, and with the birds and mammals of Florida.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7169, Arthur Holmes Howell Papers

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Container List

Series 1

Correspondence and Notes Concerning the Determination of Life Zones in Southeastern United States, Particularly Alabama, circa 1909-1936.

Box 1

Folder 1 Correspondence and notes concerning the determination of life zones, particularly in Alabama and the southeastern United States. Includes a letter from Robert Ridgway to A. H. Howell, 1909, and a letter from Vernon Bailey to C. Hart Merriam, 1892.

Box 1 of 1

Folder 2 "A Study of the Faunal Areas of Southeastern United Sates" by A. H. Howell

Box 1 of 1

Folder 3 Correspondence and notes concerning birds and mammals of southeastern United States. Correspondents include James L. Peters, Robert Ridgway, A.C. Bent, S. A. Grimes and R. J. Longstreet and notes on Henry W. Henshaw, 1910, 1925, 1927-1932, 1934-1936.

Box 1 of 1

Series 2

Correspondence and Notes Concerning the Birds and Mammals of Florida, circa 1905-1940.

Box 1

Folder 4 Correspondence and material concerning Florida birds and mammals. Correspondents include Victor H. Cahalane, 1912, 1931, 1938-1940.

Box 1 of 1

Folders 5-10 Correspondence concerning Florida birds. Principal correspondents include Frederic H. Kennard, James L. Peters, Outram Bangs, Edward J. Brown, Arthur H. Helm, Robert Ridgway, A. C. Bent, R. J. Longstreet, E. W. Nelson, T. Van Hyning, Hiram Byrd, Thomas D. Buleigh, Joseph C. Howell, Wray H. Nicholson, William G. Fargo, Donald J. Nicholson and S. A. Grimes, 1905, 1920-1939.

Box 1 of 1

Series 3

Bibliography of Arthur Holmes Howell, 1967.

Box 1

Folder 11 "Published Writings of Arthur Holmes Howell (1872-1940)" by Hartley H. T. Jackson, 1967

Box 1 of 1

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