Oliver A. Farwell Papers
Collection Scope
This collection of records comprises publications, periodicals, critique, and inventories of Oliver A. Farwell’s study and contributions to the research field of Michigan Botany.
SERIES I: Published Works (1886-1944) contains copies of journals which include contributions by Farwell.
SERIES II: Periodicals (1886-1934) contains copies of reference material compiled by Farwell.
SERIES III: Bibliographies (1953, 1973, n.d.) contains two bibliographical works of Farwell’s life and career.
SERIES IV: Correspondence:
Subseries A: Collection Material (1970, n.d.)
Subseries B: Cranbrook Institute of Science Library Accessions (1899-1975, n.d.)
SERIES V: Photographs (1934)
SERIES VI: Realia consists of a set of three hand lenses.
Dates
- 1886 - 1975
- Majority of material found within 1890 - 1945
Creator
- Farwell, Oliver Atkins, 1867-1944 (Person)
Access
Access to the collection is unrestricted.
Use
Permission to use collection materials must be requested in writing.
History
Oliver A. Farwell was born 13 Dec 1867 in Boston Massachusetts to Oliver A. Farwell and Charlotte (Brockway) Farwell. Spending his formative years in the Copper Harbor area of Michigan, Farwell developed, what would be, a lifelong affinity and commitment to the study of Michigan’s flora as both a hobby and occupation.
A career employee (1892-1933) of the Parke, Davis and Company (Detroit, MI), Farwell was responsible for the pharmacognosy of raw botanical products. He was also a long standing member of a multiplicity of scholarly clubs with branches pertaining to botanical interests, including the Michigan Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic. Farwell’s large personal collections of herbarium specimens are housed at the Cranbrook Institute of Science. While some of Farwell’s approaches to botanical naming conventions have been seen as exaggerated, specifically when concerning species variety, his unmatched volume of collecting stands as a benefit to the study of Michigan’s botany.
After and long and prolific career (serially number and unnumbered collections potentially totaling 15,000 collection), Oliver A. Farwell passed away in Lake Linden, Michigan in 1944.
Extent
1.3 Linear Feet (3 MS)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Oliver Farwell had a lifelong affinity and commitment to the study of Michigan’s flora as both a hobby and occupation. Working with Parke, Davis and Company (Detroit, MI) from 1892-1933, Farwell was responsible for the pharmacognosy of raw botanical products, and was also a long standing member of a multiplicity of scholarly clubs with branches pertaining to botanical interests. Farwell’s large personal collections of herbarium specimens are housed at the Cranbrook Institute of Science. This collection comprises publications, periodicals, critique, and inventories of Oliver A. Farwell’s study and contributions to the research field of Michigan Botany.
Arrangement
The collection has been organized into six (6) series: SERIES I: Published Works (Boxes 1-2); SERIES II: Periodicals (Box 3); SERIES III: Biographies (Box 3); SERIES IV: Correspondence: Subseries A: Collection Material; and Subseries B: Cranbrook Institute of Science Library Accessions (Box 3); SERIES V: Photographs (Box 3); and SERIES VI: Realia (Box 3).
The files and their contents are arranged chronologically within each series, excluding Published Works which have maintained their original order and numbering schema.
Custodial History
This collection was once owned by the Cranbrook Institute of Science.
Acquisition
Transferred from the Cranbrook Institute of Science in October 2016.
Processing History
Belinda Krencicki, 2016.
Creator
- Farwell, Oliver Atkins, 1867-1944 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Oliver A. Farwell Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Belinda Krencicki
- Date
- 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- Resource record created by Laura MacNewman.
Repository Details
Part of the Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Repository