Skip to main content

Allan F. Archer papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-0082

Scope and Contents

The Allan F. Archer Papers document the career of Dr. Archer from 1932 to 1951, during which time he worked at the University of Alabama Museum of Natural History/Geological Survey of Alabama. The collection is arranged by subject and in its original form (the material was roughly sorted into subjects). Due to the lack of dates available, the minimal correspondence, and the fact that the creator used a subject arrangement, the order was kept. The collection is arranged into the following categories: Correspondence, Decapod Crustacea, Ecology, Manuscripts/Publications, Maps, Marine Biology, Miscellaneous, Mollusks, Photographs, and Spiders.

The material is devoted to Dr. Archer's study of spiders, crabs, mollusks, crustacea, and matters of ecological and biological importance. A large part of the collection pertains to spiders. The field notes include specific data on various locations throughout the United States, particularly the Southeast. Dr. Archer's drawings are in both color and black and white, and show in explicit and minute detail the animals to which he devoted much of his career.

The two large maps, included in the collection, are housed with the oversized materials. They have been flattened, cleaned, de-acidified, and one has been encapsulated. The Manuscripts/Publication section, also contains a large number of items, including both originals and copies of Dr. Archer's writings.

Dates

  • 1932-1951

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Archer worked at the University of Alabama Museum of Natural History from 1932 to 1951. He was also State Ecologist and a member of the Alabama Geological Survey.

Extent

1.1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Overview

Documents pertaining to the career of Dr. Allan F. Archer from 1932 to 1951 when he worked at the University of Alabama Museum of Natural History and Geological Survey of Alabama. The material primarily focuses on Dr. Archer’s study of spiders, but includes crabs, mollusks, crustacean and matters of ecological and biological importance as well.

Provenance

Gift of Allan F. Archer

Processed by

Mary R. Sand, 1989; revised and updated by Martha Bace, 2009 and 2012

Source

Creator

Title
Guide to the Allan F. Archer papers
Status
Completed
Date
May 2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0266
205.348.0513