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Title: Edward Eric Walther papers
Dates: 1892-1959
Collection Number: MSS-491
Creator/Collector:
Walther, Edward Eric, 1892-1959
Extent: 34+ boxes, 7.75 cu.ft.
Repository:
California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco, California 94118
Abstract: The papers of botanist Edward Eric Walther, a Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences, who identified and
classified over 100 new species and whose career focused on the management of arboretums and botanical gardens. Included in
the collection are notebooks, correspondence, artifacts, photographs, slides, and illustrations.
Language of Material: English
Access is unrestricted
[Identification of item]. Edward Eric Walther papers. Collection Number: MSS-491. California Academy of Sciences
Biography/Administrative History
Edward Eric Walther was born in Dresden, Germany on August 14, 1892. At the age of 27 (1909) he emigrated to the United States.
After arriving in New York, he proceeded almost immediately to California where he took a job at the Mortimer Fleishhacker
estate in Woodside (1914-1916). Later work was with MacRorie-McLaren Company, a large San Francisco landscape and nursery
firm (1917). MacRorie-McLaren was contracted for the care of Golden Gate Park. Here, although he had no formal training in
horticulture or botany, Walther was employed until his retirement (1918-1957). In 1928 he took a six month leave to work
with the San Francisco County Agricultural Commissioner assisting with research work on aphids. He was also instrumental
in controlling pine bark beetle and citrophilous mealy bug. In 1933 Edward Eric Walther was named first Director of Strybing
Arboretum and Botanic Garden and he remained there until 1957.
Upon his retirement he was named Research Associate in the Department of Botany of the California Academy of Sciences (1958).
In that year Walther published the Guide List to Plants in Strybing Arboretum (with McClintock ), Echeveria.
Memberships include: California Academy of Sciences, Member (1920), Life Member (1930), Fellow (1955); Cactus and Succulent
Society of America (late 1920-1932); Plant Materialists (later the California Horticultural Society 1932-); Royal Horticultural
Society (1959).
Edward Eric Walther died 1 July 1959.
Scope and Content of Collection
The papers of botanist Edward Eric Walther, a Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences, who identified and
classified over 100 new species and whose career focused on the management of arboretums and botanical gardens. Included in
the collection are notebooks, correspondence, artifacts, photographs, slides, and illustrations.
Botany
Horticulture
Arboretums
Pests--Control