Orcutt (Charles Russell) Papers, 1878-1952

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Summary

Title:
Charles Russell Orcutt Papers
Dates:
1878-1952
Creators:
Orcutt, Charles Russell
Abstract:
This collection contains materials related to Charles Russell Orcutt’s work in Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico and the American Southwest as well as his family history.
Extent:
2.5 Linear feet (5 boxes)
Language:
and Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

Charles Russell Orcutt Papers, MS 5, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains materials related to Charles Russell Orcutt’s work in Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico and the American Southwest as well as his family history. The materials consist of correspondence, journals, writings, research and field notes and personal items. Orcutt often reused paper from letters he had received, creating several instances of more than one piece of correspondence on a single sheet. Some correspondence is transcribed. The best collection of Orcutt materials extant, the collection chronicles the last few years of the naturalist’s life. The completeness and format of the correspondence in particular, provide an almost daily record of his activities during this period. The collection also includes volumes of Orcutt’s two major journals, the Jamaica Naturalist and the West American Scientist. There is genealogical information on the Orcutt family and materials regarding other family members, including his wife Olive Eddy Orcutt, a San Diego physician and the first woman M.D. graduated from the University of Michigan, his mother, and his children and grandchildren.

Biographical / historical:

Charles Russell Orcutt, born in Vermont in 1864, was a pioneer naturalist of the American Southwest. He was a resident of San Diego from 1879 until his death in 1929, but spent much of his time traveling and collecting botanical and zoological specimens for supply houses and research organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution. His travels took him throughout the American Southwest, Mexico and to the islands of the Caribbean, where he died. Self-educated, Orcutt was an entrepreneur and an editor of his own scientific journals, and made significant contributions to the fields of botany and malacology.

Acquisition information:
Accession number 810606 and 831025A.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Jennifer Vanoni on May 15, 2013.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged by series:

Series I: Charles Russell Orcutt Professional Papers

Series II: Charles Russell Orcutt Family Papers

Physical / technical requirements:

Most of the papers including datebooks, journals and field notes are fragile and some have water stains. The more fragile pieces have been placed in protective sleeves or envelopes. (May 2013)

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Vanoni
Date Prepared:
May 31, 2013
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-06-04T16:10-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Charles Russell Orcutt Papers, MS 5, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website