Description
The collection consists primarily of Jordan's correspondence relating to professional and
university matters, and also contains writings (published and unpublished), clippings,
journals and diaries, scrapbooks, financial papers, biographical and genealogical
information, and photographs. Materials in the collection reflect Jordan's embrace of and
advocacy for eugenics, including his leadership in 19th and 20th century eugenics
organizations.
Background
David Starr Jordan was born at Gainesville, New York, on January 19, 1851. In March, 1869,
Jordan entered Cornell University to join the first freshman class (which had begun work in
the fall of 1868). Upon presentation of his thesis, "Wild Flowers of Wyoming County," Jordan
received an M.S. degree from Cornell in 1872.
Restrictions
Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the
documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the
Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.
Availability
The materials are open for research use.