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Finding Aid to the Walter W. Dalquest papers
MVZA.MSS.0072
MVZA.MSS.0072
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Table of contents
Title: Walter W. Dalquest papers
Identifier/Call Number: MVZA.MSS.0072
Contributing Institution:
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.9 Linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1936-1990
Abstract: The Walter W. Dalquest papers include bound and unbound field notes and correspondence. These materials offer insight into
the work done by Dalquest between 1936-1990.
Creator:
Dalquest, Walter Woelber , 1917-2000
The collection is open for research.
Copyright restrictions may apply. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted to the Museum of Vertebrate
Zoology Archives in writing for approval. Please contact the Museum Archivist for further information.
[Identification of item], Walter W. Dalquest papers, MVZA.MSS.0072, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California,
Berkeley.
Walter W. Dalquest (1917-2000) was educated in the fields of biology, geology, and biochemistry. He received a B.S. in 1940
and an M.S. in 1941 from the University of Washington and a PhD from Louisiana State University in 1951. Having established
a personal and professional connection with E. Raymond Hall, Dalquest was convinced by Hall to come to Berkeley, where he
stayed from 1941-1945, doing curatorial work, fieldwork, and research for the MVZ. He moved on to the University of Kansas
at Lawrence in 1945. After receiving his PhD, Dalquest took on a position with the Biology Department of Midwestern State
University in Wichita Falls, Texas. He began creating a museum collection there, eventually amassing over 22,000 mammal specimens
alone. Over his lifetime, Dalquest published 7 books and 173 research articles. Retiring from full-time duties at Midwestern
State in 1984, Dalquest remained active in his personal and professional life until his death. In 1996, Dalquest, along with
his second wife Rose, donated a significant amount of land to Midwestern State, creating the Dalquest Research Station. The
Station seeks to promote research and education about the Chihuahuan Desert for students and scientists from outside universities.
Sources Consulted:
Correspondence 1942-1990, Walter W. Dalquest papers, MVZA.MSS.0072, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California,
Berkeley.
Horner, Norman. "The Dalquest Research Site."
Chihuahuan Desert Discovery 54, 2 (2008): 21-28. Accessed June 30, 2014.
http://cdri.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Dahlquest-Research-Site-2008.pdf
Horner, Norman V., and Stangl Jr., Frederick B. "Walter Woelber Dalquest: 1917-2000."
Journal of Mammalogy 82, 2 (2001): 604-612. Accessed June 30, 2014.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/1383740
"MSU Dalquest Desert Research Station."
Midwestern State University. 2013. Accessed June 30, 2014.
http://www.mwsu.edu/academics/education/ddrs/
The Walter W. Dalquest papers include four standard-bound volumes of fieldnotes, including specimen and habitat sketches and
numerous photographs. These volumes cover the years 1936-1945 and detail localities in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon,
and Washington. There is also one folder of unbound fieldnotes dating from 1945 with all locations within the state of California.
In addition, there are three folders of correspondence that date from 1938-1990.
The collection has been arranged in the following series: Field notes (bound), Field notes (unbound), and Correspondence.
There are no subseries.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Biological specimens--Collection and preservation.
Biological specimens--Identification
Biology Fieldwork
Cataloging--Specimens.
Correspondence
Field notes
Mammalogy--Fieldwork.
Scientific expeditions--Arizona
Scientific expeditions--California
Scientific expeditions--Nevada
Scientific expeditions--Oregon
Scientific expeditions--Washington
University of California (1868-1952). Museum of Vertebrate Zoology