Rehder, Harald Alfred, 1907- , interviewee Search this
Extent:
6 audiotapes (Reference copies).
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Transcripts
Audiotapes
Date:
1976-1977
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 student on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Rehder was interviewed for the Oral History Collection because of his long and notable research career at the USNM. On May 13, 1982, Rehder was honored by his colleagues
for fifty years of service to the Institution.
Descriptive Entry:
Rehder was interviewed by Pamela M. Henson on five occasions between June 1976 and March 1977. The interviews cover his youth, early interests in natural history, education,
career in the Division of Mollusks of the USNM, reminiscences of Paul Bartsch, Austin Hobart Clark, Waldo LaSalle Schmitt, and other colleagues, field work, and research in
the systematics and geographic distribution of mollusks, especially marine mollusks of the Indo-Pacific region.
Historical Note:
Harald Alfred Rehder (1907-1996), was an invertebrate zoologist specializing in systematic malacology. The son of a botanist, Rehder developed an interest in natural history
early in his youth. These interests were fostered through shell clubs and the Boston Society of Natural History, especially by Charles W. Johnson. Rehder received the B.A.
from Bowdoin College in 1929, M.A. from Harvard University in 1933, and Ph.D. in zoology from the George Washington University in 1934. During his Harvard years, Rehder studied
fresh water land snails and Caribbean non-marine mollusks under the malacologist William James Clench. His career at the United States National Museum (USNM) began in 1932
as Senior Scientific Aid to Paul Bartsch, Curator of the Division of Mollusks. Rehder advanced to Assistant Curator in 1934 and Associate Curator in 1942. After assuming the
Curatorship in 1946, Rehder focused his research program on the systematics and geographic distribution of Indo-Pacific marine mollusks, and has been on many expeditions to
that region. In 1965 he was appointed Senior Zoologist in the division, and after his retirement in 1980 continued his research as Zoologist Emeritus.
Rights:
Restricted. Audio recordings may not be used without permission. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.
Covers his youth; early interests in natural history; influence of Charles W. Johnson and William James Clench; education; and early career at the USNM; c. 1907-1940.
Collection Creator::
Rehder, Harald Alfred, 1907- , interviewee Search this
Container:
Interviews
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Rights:
Restricted. Audio recordings may not be used without permission. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9519, Harald Alfred Rehder Oral History Interviews
Covers his field work with Clench during his Harvard years; work as Assistant Curator in the USNM; and reminiscences of Paul Bartsch and Austin Hobart Clark; c. 1926-1940.
Collection Creator::
Rehder, Harald Alfred, 1907- , interviewee Search this
Container:
Interviews
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Rights:
Restricted. Audio recordings may not be used without permission. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9519, Harald Alfred Rehder Oral History Interviews
Includes his reminiscences of the Biological Society of Washington and the Washington Academy of Sciences; Bartsch's estate, Lebanon; USNM curators Austin Hobart Clark and Waldo LaSalle Schmitt; USNM field work; and the curatorial routine in the Divisi...
Collection Creator::
Rehder, Harald Alfred, 1907- , interviewee Search this
Container:
Interviews
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Rights:
Restricted. Audio recordings may not be used without permission. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9519, Harald Alfred Rehder Oral History Interviews
