Clarke, J. F. Gates (John Frederick Gates), 1905-1990 interviewee Search this
Container:
Box 1 of 2
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9555, Clarke, J. F. Gates (John Frederick Gates), 1905-1990 interviewee, Oral history interviews with John Frederick Gates Clarke
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Saint Louis, Mo.)
Date:
circa 1936-1981 and undated
Descriptive Entry:
The papers of A. Gilbert Wright provide partial documentation of most aspects of his professional career. Included are materials concerning Wright's tenure as a Rockefeller
Foundation Intern at the Buffalo Museum of Science, 1937-1938; his work at the Florida State Museum, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, and the Smithsonian Institution;
and his teaching career at the George Washington University (GWU). Less well represented are records documenting his thirteen-year career at the Illinois State Museum, and
his brief tenure at the Peabody Museum of Natural History. The collection includes both personal and professional correspondence received and written by Wright between 1936
and 1981. The correspondence includes a voluminous exchange with his long-time friend, Roscoe Wilmeth, as well as letters documenting most of his professional appointments.
A small group of collected materials from Wright's professional work include his report on a tour of United States museums taken during the Rockefeller internship; teaching
records from his GWU course on museology; publications written by or concerning Wright; and records documenting his work at the Smithsonian, especially the By-Word Program
at the National Museum of Natural History. The collection also includes photographs and slides, many of which were taken by Wright. Included are images of Wright; the muralist,
Jay H. Matternes; Florida State Museum exhibits and personnel; and Smithsonian exhibits, laboratories, and research areas.
Historical Note:
A. Gilbert Wright (1909-1987) was a zoologist and exhibits curator with diverse interests in natural history, exhibits preparation, and writing. Born in Carthage, Illinois,
Wright developed an interest in natural history, taxidermy, and museum curatorship in his youth. After receiving the B.A. in biology from Carthage College in 1932, he was
appointed zoologist at the Illinois State Museum (ISM) in 1933. Wright gained broad museum experience as a Rockefeller Foundation intern at the Buffalo Museum of Science in
1937-1938. During his ISM tenure, he published two volumes, The Illinois State Museum, Guide to Exhibits and Common Illinois Insects. He received the M.S. degree
in zoology from the University of Illinois at Urbana in 1946. Wright served briefly as chief of the School Service Department of the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale
in 1947-1948. In 1953 he left the ISM to accept a position as curator of exhibits at the Florida State Museum (FSM) in Gainesville. During his tenure at FSM, Wright developed
exhibits for the main museum building, a "museumobile," and historical site museums throughout the state. In 1961, Wright was appointed chief of the Museum Planning Branch
of the National Park Service for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis. The project was abruptly terminated in 1963 due to cost overruns for the Gateway Arch.
Wright then joined the staff of the Office of Exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution, as assistant chief with responsibilities for planning exhibits renovation in the National
Museum of Natural History (NMNH). In 1971-1972 Wright was assistant to the director of the NMNH for exhibits planning and during this time developed the Insect Zoo. From 1972
until his retirement in 1975, he was a writer/editor in the Office of Exhibits Central.
In the early 1970s, Wright began teaching courses in museology at the George Washington University. After his retirement, he directed their new Museum Studies Program until
1978. Throughout his career, Wright was an active member of the American Association of Museums and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Researchers should consult the A. Gilbert Wright oral history interviews (Record Unit 9523), in the Smithsonian Institution Archives, for extensive information on Wright
and his career.
Folder 3 Florida State Museum (FSM), 1953-1961. Letters written and received by Wright during his career as Curator of Exhibits at FSM. Included is correspondence with Arnold B. Grobman, Director of FSM, concerning Wright's appointment and subsequent w...
Collection Creator::
Wright, A. Gilbert, (Arthur Gilbert), 1909-1987 Search this
Container:
Box 1 of 4
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7331, A. Gilbert Wright Papers
Folders 3-4 Photographs of Florida State Museum building, exhibits, and personnel, circa 1953-1961. Includes exhibit scripts. Many of the photographs were taken by Wright.
Collection Creator::
Wright, A. Gilbert, (Arthur Gilbert), 1909-1987 Search this
Container:
Box 3 of 4
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7331, A. Gilbert Wright Papers
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7220, National Museum of Natural History, Collected Notes, Lists, Catalogs, Illustrations, and Records on Fishes
Grobman, Arnold B,(Arnold Brams),1918- Search this
Extent:
4.5 linear meters.
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
circa 1938-1991
Descriptive Entry:
These papers document the professional career of Arnold B. Grobman. Included are correspondence with colleagues on scientific topics, professional societies business,
and files documenting his activities on numerous boards and committees. As a general rule, his files as an academic administrator are not in these papers, nor are some files
from offices held in professional societies. For instance, his files as Chancellor of the University of Missouri-St. Louis have remained at the University. His files as Secretary
of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists are in the society's records housed in the Smithsonian Archives.
Historical Note:
Arnold B. Grobman (1918- ) was educated in the public schools of Newark, New Jersey, the University of Michigan (B.S., Zoology, 1939), and the University of Rochester
(M.S., Zoology, 1941; Ph.D., Zoology, 1943). He stayed at Rochester as an Instructor in the Department of Zoology, 1943-1944, and as a Research Associate on the Manhattan
Project, 1944-1946, before moving to the University of Florida in 1946. He stayed at the University of Florida until 1959, serving as Assistant Professor, and later Associate
Professor of Biology, 1950-1952, and as Director of the Florida State Museum from 1952 to 1959. From 1959 to 1965 he was Director of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study
at the University of Colorado. In 1965 he moved to Rutgers University, where he served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, 1965-1967, and Dean of Rutgers College,
1967-1972. From 1972 to 1974 he was Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the Chicago Circle campus of the University of Illinois, and Special Assistant to the President
from 1974 to 1975. From 1975 to 1985 he was Chancellor and Professor of Biology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He was named Chancellor Emeritus and Research Professor
in 1986. He retired from the professorship in 1988, but remains Chancellor Emeritus. Grobman's main scientific contributions have been in herpetology, but he has also published
extensively on science education and academic administration. Grobman has held office in many professional organizations, including the American Association of Museums, the
American Institute of Biological Sciences, and the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (Secretary, 1952-1957, and President, 1964).
Wright, A. Gilbert, (Arthur Gilbert), 1909- interviewee Search this
Extent:
9 audiotapes (reference copies).
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Interviews
Audiotapes
Oral history
Date:
1983
Introduction:
The Smithsonian Institution Archives began its Oral History Program in 1973. The purpose of the program is to supplement the written documentation of the Archives'
record and manuscript collections with an Oral History Collection, focusing on the history of the Institution, research by its scholars, and contributions of its staff. Program
staff conduct interviews with current and retired Smithsonian staff and others who have made significant contributions to the Institution. There are also interviews conducted
by researchers or students on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Wright was interviewed for the Oral History Collection because of his long and wide-ranging experience in the museum field.
Descriptive Entry:
Wright was interviewed by Pamela M. Henson on five occasions between May and November of 1983. The interviews cover Wright's youth; early interests in museums, natural
history, and taxidermy; his education; museum career at the Illinois State Museum, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Florida State Museum, National Park Service, and Smithsonian
Institution; internship at the Buffalo Museum of Science; teaching at George Washington University; reminiscences of colleagues such as Arthur Sterry Coggeshall, Ralph H.
Lewis, Alexander Wetmore, and John E. Anglim; and his publications and professional activities.
Historical Note:
A. Gilbert Wright (1909-1987), was a zoologist and exhibits curator, with diverse interests in natural history, exhibits preparation, and writing. Born in Carthage,
Illinois, in 1909, Wright developed an interest in natural history, taxidermy, and museum curatorship in his youth. After receiving a B.A. in biology from Carthage College
in 1932, he was appointed Zoologist at the Illinois State Museum (ISM) in 1933. Wright gained broad museum experience as a Rockefeller Foundation intern at the Buffalo Museum
of Science in 1937-1938. During his ISM tenure, he published two volumes, The Illinois State Museum, Guide to Exhibits, and Common Illinois Insects. He received
the M.S. degree in zoology from the University of Illinois at Urbana in 1946. Wright served briefly as Chief of the School Service Department of the Peabody Museum of Natural
History at Yale in 1947-1948. In 1953 he left the ISM to accept a position as Curator of Exhibits at the Florida State Museum (FSM) in Gainesville. During the fifties, Wright
prepared exhibits for the main FSM building, a "museumobile," and historical site museums throughout the state. In 1961, Wright was appointed Jefferson National Expansion
Memorial in St. Louis. The project was abruptly terminated in 1963 due to cost overruns for the Gateway Arch. Wright then joined the staff of the Office of Exhibits Programs
at the Smithsonian Institution, as Assistant Chief with responsibilities for planning exhibits renovation in the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). In 1971-1972 Wright
was Assistant to the Director of the NMNH for exhibits planning and during this time developed the Insect Zoo. When the Office of Exhibits was reorganized in 1972, Wright
became a writer/editor in the Office of the Exhibits Editor until his retirement in 1975.
In the early 1970s, Wright began teaching courses in museology at George Washington University. After his retirement, he directed their new Museum Studies Program until
1978. Throughout his career, Wright was an active member of the American Association of Museums and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
