Ward C. Russell papers, 1928-1995

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Summary

Creators:
Russell, Ward C., 1907-2000
Abstract:
The Ward C. Russell papers consist of field notes, correspondence, and oral histories. The field notes cover the years 1928-1969, mostly overlapping the time that Russell served as the MVZ's preparator and collector. The correspondence dates from 1931-1967. The oral histories, which include transcriptions of interviews with Russell and his wife Virginia Miller Russell, date from 1991-1995.
Extent:
1.7 Linear feet
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ward C. Russell papers, MVZA.MSS.0221, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

The Ward C. Russell papers include thirteen standard-bound volumes of fieldnotes, including specimen, habitat, and map sketches. The volumes cover the years 1928-1969 and detail localities in Arizona, California, Idaho, Mexico, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. There is also one folder of correspondence spanning the years 1931-1967. Additionally, there is a separate folder containing oral histories featuring Russell and his wife, Virginia Miller Russell, that date from 1991-1995.

Biographical / historical:

Ward C. Russell (1907-2000) began his UC Berkeley studies in 1924, at first focusing on Chemistry and Forestry before settling on Zoology. He was hired by the MVZ in 1929, temporarily filling in for Chester Lamb. Russell ended up serving as the MVZ’s preparator and collector for forty years. While at MVZ, he spent two weeks on Joseph Grinnell’s final field trip, collected numerous bird and mammal specimens, and cleaned roughly 80,000 skeletons. Russell brought to the museum the dermestid beetle approach to cleaning bones, a practice that proved to be quite effective. He primarily focused on collecting birds and mammals in the western United States and Mexico.

"MVZ Biographies." Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. January 22, 2014. http://mvz.berkeley.edu/Biographies.html

Oral histories, Ward C. Russell papers, MVZA.MSS.0221, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California, Berkeley.

Arrangement:

The collection has been arranged in the following series: Field notes, Correspondence, and Oral histories. There are no subseries.

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], Ward C. Russell papers, MVZA.MSS.0221, 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