Madson (Ben) Papers, 1920-1956

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Summary

Title:
Ben Madson Papers
Dates:
1920-1956
Creators:
Madson, B. A. (Ben Adolph), b. 1887.
Abstract:
Ben Madson (1887-1974) served as Professor of Agronomy (1928-1954) and Director of Agricultural Field Stations (1948-1954) at the University of California. His papers contain correspondence, field station research and progress reports, range management investigations and budgets, committee materials regarding the development of the University of California, College of Agriculture (now the University of California, Davis), and several photographs of field test plots.
Extent:
0.5 linear feet
Language:
Collection materials in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ben Madson Papers, D-108, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.

Background

Scope and content:

The Ben Madson Papers contain correspondence, field station research and progress reports, range management investigations and budgets, committee materials regarding the development of the University of California, College of Agriculture (now the University of California, Davis), and several photographs of field test plots.

Arrangement of the Collection

The Papers are arranged into four series: 1. Correspondence, 2. University of California, College of Agriculture, 3. Reports, and 4. Photographs.

Biographical / historical:

Ben Madson (1887-1974) graduated in 1907 from Iowa State College. After working as an assistant chemist at the college and as chief chemist for the Iowa Sugar Company, in 1910 he came to the University of California as an assistant in agronomy. He went on to serve as chairman of the Agronomy Department from 1927-1948.

In 1948 he was made director of Agricultural Field Stations, a new position that was charged with administering the outlying research areas established by the University of California for more effective local area service to the state. He held the position until his retirement in 1954.

Madson was also active in community affairs. He served on the Davis City Council in 1939-1947 and again in 1957-1960. He was city treasurer in 1951, and mayor of Davis in 1947-1948. He was active in the Davis Chamber of Commerce and served as Chamber president in 1955 and in 1964. He was named Davis Citizen of the Year in 1952.

Source:

Love, R.M., Miller, M.D., and Myler, J.D. "Ben Adolph Madson." In Memoriam. [Berkeley, Calif. : Academic Senate], 1977.

Processing information:

Sara Gunasekara processed these papers and created and encoded this finding aid.

Physical location:
Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Sara Gunasekara
Date Prepared:
© 2008
Date Encoded:
Collection was encoded by Sara Gunasekara: 2008.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17, of the U.S. Code. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ben Madson Papers, D-108, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library
100 NW Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292, US
Contact:
(530) 752-1621
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
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