Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections

Title: Albert B. Ulrey and Florence Speicher Ulrey papers

Creator: Ulrey, A.B. (Albert Brennus)

Creator: Ulrey, Florence Speicher

Identifier/Call Number: 0258

Identifier/Call Number: /repositories/3/resources/261

Physical Description: 1 Linear Feet 2 boxes

Date: 1891-1959, undated

Abstract: Letters, ephemera, notes, and pamphlets created and collected by USC Professor of Botany and Zoology Albert B. Ulrey, and his wife, USC alumna Florence Speicher Ulrey, documenting aspects of the history of USC and Ulrey's teaching and scientific research interests.

Language of Material: English .

Albert B. Ulrey served as Professor of Biology and Zoology at the University of Southern California from 1901 to 1929. Born in 1860 and raised in Indiana, Ulrey earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Indiana. He taught biology in Indiana public schools, and was a member of the faculty of the Zoology department of the University of Indiana and the Biology department at North Manchester College (Indiana), before accepting a position at USC in 1901 as the University's first marine biologist. One of his achievements was the founding of USC's Marine Biological Station in Venice, CA, in 1911; this facility provided research resources and offered summer courses for University students before its destruction by fire in 1920. Ulrey died in Los Angeles on December 21, 1932. Florence Ulrey (nee Speicher) graduated from the University of Southern California in 1909, as did their son, Richard Speicher Ulrey ('49).

The Albert B. Ulrey and Florence Speicher Ulrey papers contain letters, pamphlets, ephemera, certificates, notes, published materials, and photographs, 1891-1959 and undated, created, collected, and received by Albert B. Ulrey and his wife, Florence Speicher Ulrey. The collections contains examples of Ulrey's published works and publications that mention Ulrey's work; reports; printed material from/about USC, many of which discuss Ulrey; teaching materials; correspondence; and ephemera. Many of Ulrey's published works are in contemporary reprint form and include articles written during his student days and early teaching career in Indiana, and articles written while at the University of Southern California; among these are accounts of activities and research from USC's Marine Biological Station in Venice, CA. Ulrey spent a sabbatical year (1925-1926) studying biological and marine laboratories at educational institutions across the country, and the collection includes a detailed report of these activities and research notes. Also included are printed materials from and about USC that mention or discuss Ulrey's activities as a faculty member, including announcements, invitations, and course catalogs from the departments of Biology and Botany/Zoology, the School of Pharmacy, and the Marine Biological Station; a proposal for a (new?) marine biology research station at Long Beach; and a manuscript and typescripts of an address by Ulrey regarding the needs of a liberal arts curriculum. The collection also includes materials relating to Ulrey's teaching, including notes from/for classes in physical chemistry and ethics; a photograph album documenting the development of horse hair snake cells; biological and zoological drawings (possibly by Ulrey); and student notes. Correspondence and letters in the collection include a letter from William Randall, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, regarding Ulrey's application of employment; correspondence with Charles L. Parmenter, a former instructor in the department of Biology; two letters from President Rufus B. von KleinSmid; and letters regarding campus news and research from fellow instructor I.S. Kiehm. Miscellaneous printed material includes information about the Southern California Academy of Sciences, of which Ulrey was a member; and Bulletins of the American Association of University Professors. Most of the ephemeral material in the collection relates to the history of USC, and was collected by Florence Ulrey. It includes epehemera from her senior year and her graduation in 1909; and alumni materials, including certificates from the Half Century Club. Also included is the graduation program for their son, Richard (Class of '49).

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections 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.

[Box/folder# or item name], Albert B. Ulrey and Florence Speicher Ulrey papers, Collection no. 0258, University Archives, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Gift of Florence Speicher Ulrey.