Benson (Seth B.) papers, 1928-1981

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Summary

Title:
Seth B. Benson papers
Dates:
1928-1981
Creators:
Benson, Seth B. (Seth Bertram), 1905-2005
Abstract:
The Seth B. Benson papers include field notes, correspondence, and visual materials. These materials provide information regarding Benson's work between 1928-1981.
Containers:
Volume: 1-13
Volume: 14-25
Extent:
3.4 Linear feet
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Seth B. Benson papers, MVZA.MSS.0029, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

The Seth B. Benson papers contain 25 volumes of field notes, correspondence, and visual materials. The volumes cover the years from 1928-1981, relating to Benson’s scientific expeditions in Alaska, Arizona, California, Canada, Colorado, Idaho, Mexico, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Peru, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The correspondence contains letters related to Benson’s work at the MVZ as well as personal letters to colleagues and friends. The visual materials include photographs, glass lantern slides dated 1935, modern slides, and negatives.

Biographical / historical:

Seth B. Benson (1905-2005) was a field researcher and professor with the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley. Benson earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Berkeley in 1928, and a Ph.D. in 1933 under Joseph Grinnell. His MVZ career began as a research assistant in 1929, then assistant curator 1932-34. In 1934, he became assistant curator of mammals at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology. In 1935, Benson returned to the MVZ as an instructor of invertebrate zoology and assistant curator of mammals. He was promoted to assistant professor of zoology in 1940, and became associate curator of mammals in 1945. Benson retired from UC Berkeley in 1969.

Arrangement:

The collection has been arranged in the following series: Field notes, Correspondence, and Visual Materials.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Phillip Alexander
Sponsor:
The processing of this collection was made possible through funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources' "Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives" Project.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-10-16T11:56-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Seth B. Benson papers, MVZA.MSS.0029, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
3101 Valley Life Sciences Bldg, #3160
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-3160, US
Contact:
(510) 642-3567
mvzarchives@berkeley.EDU
Website