104 Research Planning & Programming Administrative Files: Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), Proposal to NSF: An Ecological Study of a Wet and Dry Forest in Coast Rica
Container:
Box 30 of 48
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 155, National Museum of Natural History. Office of the Director, Subject Files
Folder 4 Organization for Tropical Studies. A letter on the Parque Corcovado dated August 1976, and a letter on OTS's education news dated December 1973.
Container:
Box 15 of 18
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7411, John F. Eisenberg Papers
Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS). Course outlines, field problems, student information, faculty lists, and related materials, 1972-1973. (3 folders)
Container:
Box 10 of 20
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7316, Robert Elliot Silberglied Papers
The papers of Robert E. Silberglied provide comprehensive documentation of his professional career. They include materials relating to his initial interest in entomology;
his academic training; his teaching career at Harvard University; his duties as a staff member of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI); his efforts as a conservationist;
and his research on Lepidoptera. Also included, to a lesser extent, are records documenting his personal affairs.
All aspects of Silberglied's professional life are documented in a large file of correspondence carried on between 1964 and 1982. Particularly well represented are his
dual careers at Harvard University and STRI; the development of his research interests; participation in professional activities; and the preparation and publication of scientific
manuscripts. The correspondence also includes many letters exchanged with his parents, family members, and friends.
Silberglied's academic career at Cornell University and Harvard University receives extensive coverage in the collection. Included are class notes; personal diaries and
daily calendars which document class schedules, student activities, and travel; registration and admission records; and copies of his M.A. thesis and Ph.D. dissertation. Also
included are research papers, notes, collecting records, and related materials illustrating Silberglied's interest in entomology as a high school student.
Silberglied's teaching and administrative activities at Harvard University and his work as a staff member at STRI are documented by a wide variety of materials. Records
concerning his Harvard appointment include lecture notes, examinations, and evaluations from several courses he taught; files relating to his curatorial duties at the Museum
of Comparative Zoology--especially work on the Scanning Electron Microscope Laboratory; and materials relating to committees, student advising, grants and financial matters,
and job negotiations and promotions. His six-year association with STRI is documented by correspondence, memoranda, and related materials concerning various administrative
and research activities--particularly the management of the Barro Colorado Island research station.
The collection is extremely valuable in documenting Silberglied's diverse research interests and his participation in professional activities. His efforts in the fields
of entomology, evolutionary theory, ultraviolet photography, and conservation are illustrated by drafts of research papers, research proposals, notes, and various forms of
scientific data.
Also included are photographs and films, mostly of or relating to butterflies; reprints of his publications; and copies of speeches and lectures presented at professional
meetings and to popular audiences. Field notes document extensive research in the Galapagos Islands, Lignum vitae Key (Florida), and various regions of the United States and
Central America. Also, Silberglied's correspondence contains a continuous exchange of ideas and information with colleagues throughout the entomological community.
In addition to correspondence with family and friends, Silberglied's personal affairs are documented in a group of collected materials including diaries and daily calendars;
health records; his professional dossier; records concerning income taxes, selective service status, and personal property; and similar materials. A small group of photographs
of Silberglied, family members, and friends is also found in the collection.
Historical Note:
Robert E. Silberglied (1946-1982) was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. While in high school, he developed an interest in entomology and wrote his first research
paper, on Drosophila melanogaster, in 1961. In 1963 he enrolled in the School of Agriculture at Cornell University, where he received the Bachelor of Science degree
in 1967 and a Master's degree in 1968. During his years at Cornell, Silberglied's developing interest in evolutionary biology led him to research in insect communication,
particularly among butterflies. An early association with Dr. Thomas Eisner and a variety of field work experiences in Mexico, Florida, and Arizona led him to the study of
ultraviolet reflection among butterflies, specifically the evolution of reflective patterns and their significance in the process of communication.
Silberglied's research in the field continued when he entered Harvard University to begin his doctoral work in the fall of 1968. At Cambridge, his interests grew as he
encountered a number of new work experiences and associations. Field work at the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands in 1970 began what would be a long-term
commitment to research in neotropical entomology. His initial interest was to study mechanisms of insect pollination of flowers, which led to a broad and valuable survey of
the islands' insect fauna. During his work in the Galapagos, he made an extensive collection of specimens and, in the process, acquired a valuable working knowledge of the
islands and their literature which would frequently be called upon in future collaborative efforts.
While at Harvard, Silberglied continued his field work in Florida at the Archbold Biological Station, as well as in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, eastern Canada, and Latin
America. During this time, his association with Orley R. Taylor, Jr., led Silberglied to a more extensive study of ultraviolet patterns of butterflies through the development
of new methods for the visualization and recording of ultraviolet reflection. His work in photographic techniques provided him with a proficiency in optical microscopy that
was to be widely recognized alongside his more primary areas of research. Through his work with Taylor, Silberglied was able experimentally to determine how ultraviolet patterns
are used as a communications device in some species of the Colias butterfly, for which he was awarded the Ph.D. in 1973.
During his graduate studies at Harvard, Silberglied worked as a teaching fellow from 1968 to 1973. He maintained an active membership in the Cambridge Entomological Society
and was elected Vice President in 1969 and President in 1970. This period also saw the first in a long series of scientific publications representing his broadening interests
in areas such as mimetic communities, the role of vision in insect behavior, the physiology of vision, ultraviolet patterns of flowers, and the terrestrial invertebrates of
the Galapagos Islands. His experience at Harvard also fostered what would be long-term associations with Edward O. Wilson and Frank M. Carpenter, staff members at the Museum
of Comparative Zoology (MCZ).
Following the completion of his formal training in 1973, Silberglied simultaneously held a number of positions over the next eight years. From 1973 to 1978 he served as
an Assistant Professor of Biology at Harvard, teaching courses in various aspects of arthropod biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and behavior. During this same period
he worked as Assistant Curator of Lepidoptera in the MCZ Department of Entomology. His primary goals at the MCZ were reorganization of the collections, improved curation methods,
and wider utilization of the collections in teaching and research. He was also instrumental in setting up the MCZ Scanning Electron Microscope facility, a project that occupied
his energies until 1980.
Silberglied's interest in conservation led him to join the Lignum vitae Key University Council in 1973. Lignum vitae Key in Florida is the only preserve of West Indian
lowland hardwood forest remaining in the United States; and for the next eight years Silberglied devoted much of his time and energy to its preservation and management. Silberglied
was also involved in a study of the Costa Rican National Park System, and he co-authored (with Thomas Simkin of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History) a computerized
bibliography of the Galapagos Islands.
Silberglied also served as a consultant to the Biological Laboratories at Harvard, as a member of the editorial board of Psyche, and as a member of the governing
board of the Organization for Tropical Studies. In addition, he served as a contributing reviewer for several non-scientific journals and was an active member of the Entomological
Society of America.
In 1976, a new dimension was added to Silberglied's career with his appointment as a biologist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. This position
divided his research, teaching, and administrative responsibilities between Cambridge and Panama, as he began spending approximately half of each year in the American tropics.
In 1977, Silberglied became a permanent member of the scientific staff at STRI as a Research Entomologist. In the same year, he also received promotions at Harvard becoming
an Associate Professor of Biology and the Associate Curator of Lepidoptera at MCZ--positions he would hold until his departure from Cambridge in 1981.
While serving as a staff member at STRI, Silberglied's research interests were expanded. In concert with Dr. Annette Aiello, he conducted experimental work involving a
number of behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary problems among many species of tropical insects, especially Lepidoptera. Among other projects, they studied the origin and
evolution of reproductive isolating mechanisms and the way in which color and pattern influenced predator-prey relationships and intra- and intersexual communication. The
work was greatly enhanced by Silberglied's expertise in ultraviolet photography. Their efforts resulted in several important findings and led to a number of joint publications.
In addition to his research at STRI, Silberglied served on the Smithsonian Fellowship Selection Committee in Tropical Biology and as an advisor to individual students studying
at the facility. He was also involved in a variety of administrative responsibilities as Scientist-in-Charge at the Barro Colorado Island research station. While in residence
he devoted a considerable portion of his time to drawing up plans for the administration and management of the biological preserve.
Despite a rather full schedule of research, teaching, and administrative activities, Silberglied managed to maintain active membership in a variety of conservation organizations
and professional societies. His expertise as an entomologist led to many speaking engagements, and his pioneering efforts in the field of photography led to frequent work
as a consultant to cinematographers doing natural history documentary work. Silberglied maintained these diverse interests and enthusiasms until his untimely death in the
Air Florida accident in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 1982.
Chronology:
1946 -- Born in Brooklyn, New York, June 19
1963 -- Received New York State Regents Scholarship
1963 -- Entered College of Agriculture, Cornell University
1964 -- Appointed part-time Assistant to Curator, Insect Collections, Cornell University
1964 -- Member of New York (Brooklyn) Entomological Society
1965 -- Member of Cornell University Mexico Field Research Party (with Dr. W. L. Brown, Jr.)
1965-1968 -- Ford Three-Year Scholar's Program
1966 -- Appointed Field Research Assistant to Dr. Thomas Eisner at Archbold Biological Station in Florida and at Cave Creek Ranch, Portal, Arizona
1966-1968 -- Part-time Assistant to Librarian, Entomology Library, Cornell University
1967 -- Appointed Field Research Assistant (with D. Simberloff for Dr. E. O. Wilson) in Florida Keys and Arizona
1967 -- Received B.S., Cornell University
1967 -- Entered Cornell University, Department of Biology as graduate student
1968 -- Received M.S., Cornell University
1968 -- Entered Harvard University as post-graduate
1968-1973 -- Teaching fellowship, Department of Biology, Harvard University
1968-1982 -- Member of Cambridge Entomological Society
1969 -- Field work at Archbold Biological Station in Florida
1969 -- Elected Vice President, Cambridge Entomological Society
1969-1973 -- Richmond Fellowship, Harvard University
1970 -- Member of Graduate Student Council, Department of Biology, Harvard University
1970 -- Elected President, Cambridge Entomological Society
1970 -- Field work at Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands
1970 -- Field work at the E. N. Huyck Preserve, Albany County, New York
1971 -- Field work in Florida, Arizona, and Colorado
1972 -- Participated in Organization for Tropical Studies trip to Costa Rica
1972 -- Field work in Nova Scotia, Kansas, Colorado, and Arizona
1973 -- Received Ph.D., Harvard University
1973 -- Field work in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Ecuador
1973 -- Published "Ultraviolet Differences Between Sulphur Butterflies"
1973-1974 -- Member of Executive Committee, Cambridge Entomological Society
1973-1977 -- Member of Library Committee, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University
1973-1978 -- Assistant Professor of Biology, Harvard University
1973-1978 -- Assistant Curator of Lepidoptera, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University
1973-1982 -- Consultant to the Biological Laboratories Insectary Facility, Harvard University
1973-1982 -- Member of Lignum vitae Key (Florida) University Council
1973-1982 -- Member of Editorial Board, Psyche
1974 -- Field work at Archbold Biological Station in Florida
1974-1975 -- Section Vice Chairman, Section A (Systematics, Morphology and Evolution), Entomological Society of America
1974-1975 -- Member of Scanning Electron Microscope Committee, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University
1974-1980 -- Member of Scanning Electron Microscope Facility Committee, Department of Biology, Harvard University 1974-1981 member of Entomological Society of America
1974-1980 -- Member of Governing Board, Organization for Tropical Studies (representing Harvard University)
1975 -- Field work in Panama
1975 -- Participated in a safari to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania
1975 -- Served on Program Evaluation Committee, Section A (Systematics, Morphology and Evolution), Entomological Society of America
1975-1976 -- Section Chairman, Section A (Systematics, Morphology and Evolution), Entomological Society of America
1975-1980 -- Contributing reviewer for American Reference Book Annual
1976 -- Appointed Biologist, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI)
1976 -- Member of Nominating Committee and Special Constitution and By-laws Revision Committee, Section A (Systematics, Morphology and Evolution), Entomological Society of America
1976-1977 -- Organized and administered Natural History Seminar series of Department of Biology, Harvard University
1976-1980 -- Member of Education Committee, Organization for Tropical Studies
1977 -- Field work in Panama, Ecuador, and Colombia
1977 -- Published "Communication in the Lepidoptera"
1977 -- Member of Committee on Meeting Dates, Section A (Systematics, Morphology and Evolution), Entomological Society of America
1977-1980 -- Member of Executive Committee, Organization for Tropical Studies
1978 -- Field work in the Dominican Republic published "Ultraviolet Reflection and its Behavioral Role in the Courtship of the Sulfur Butterflies Colias eurytheme and C. philodice"
1978 -- Contributing reviewer for Reprint Bulletin, Book Reviews
1978-1981 -- Associate Professor of Biology, Harvard University
1978-1981 -- Hessel Associate Curator of Lepidoptera, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University
1978-1981 -- Scientist-in-Charge, Barro Colorado Island research station, STRI
1979 -- Published "Communications in the Ultraviolet"
1980 -- Field work in Colombia
1981 -- Guest speaker at the Royal Entomological Society International Symposium on the Biology of Butterflies, Reading, England
1981-1982 -- Member of Executive Council, Lepidopterists' Society
1982 -- Died in Washington, D.C., January 13
1984 -- Posthumously published "Visual Communication and Sexual Selection Among Butterflies"
Harvard University Records, 1968-1981, and undated
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
This series consists of records created during Silberglied's career as a faculty member at Harvard University. Especially well documented are his teaching activities
as Assistant Professor, and later Associate Professor in the Department of Biology; his administrative and curatorial duties in the Department and the Museum of Comparative
Zoology; his work with the Organization for Tropical Studies; his ongoing requests for research funds and grants; and personal job negotiations.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7316, Robert Elliot Silberglied Papers
National Museum of Natural History. Biodiversity Program Search this
Extent:
2 cu. ft. (2 record storage boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Brochures
Clippings
Manuscripts
Pamphlets
Date:
1976-1994
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of records documenting the professional activities and official travel of the Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Biodiversity Program,
Don E. Wilson, 1990-2000. The bulk of the material relates to Wilson's participation in meetings regarding bat research. Records created prior to 1990 were created and transferred
by Wilson upon his assumption of the Directorship. Materials include meeting and conference materials, reports, brochures, correspondence, agendas, minutes, and newsletters.
Professional organizations mentioned in these records include: the American Society of Mammalogists; the Organization for Tropical Studies; the Association for Tropical
Biology; the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; and the Association of Systematic Collections.
