Don B. Skinner papers, 1933-1969

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Summary

Creators:
Skinner, Don B.
Abstract:
This collection primarily consists of letters to Don B. Skinner (1899-1975) and his wife, Murray Skinner (1889-1976), from other botanists in California and Washington, D.C., predominantly reflecting their interest in cacti and succulents.
Extent:
2.4 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Don B. Skinner papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection primarily consists of letters to Don B. and Murray Skinner from other botanists in California and Washington, D.C. The Skinner's were predominantly interested in cacti and succulents and this is reflected in the letters to them, which cover such subjects as botany nomenclature, dudleya, and echeveria. As a result of their expertise in succulents and their involvement in various societies, the Skinner's received correspondence from various botanists of note such as J. R. Brown, H. M. Butterfield, Thomas Harper Goodpseed (1887-), Reid Moran, and B. Y. (Benjamin Yoe) Morrison (1891-1966).

Note: B. Y. Morrison letters can be found in Box 2, Folders 27-30, 32, and 35, where the author is listed as United States. Bureau of Plant Industry. Division of Plant Exploration and Introduction.

Biographical / historical:

Don B. Skinner (1899-1975) was the recreational director for Los Angeles from 1933-1939. He entered the Los Angeles City School District as a gardener in 1939 and then was transferred to the Secondary Agriculture Department in 1947. Don, along with his wife Murray (1889-1976), were founding members of The Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society. Murray was also on the editorial staff of Desert, the official publication of the American Succulent Societies. An avid botanizer, Don spent a year at the University of California, Berkeley working with H. M. (Harry Morton) Butterfield (born 1887) on his botany research and was active in the research and classification of cacti and succulents from all over the world.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Estate of Don B. Skinner, May 12, 1977.
Processing information:

Processed by Mitchell W.K. Toda in June 2003. In 2024, Mari Khasmanyan updated the finding aid's linear feet and changed the former call number.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in two boxes alphabetically by author.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Don B. Skinner papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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