Thomas H. Dodd, Jr. Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-4315
Scope and Contents
The collection is mostly comprised of correspondence between American botanists Roland McMillan Harper and John Kunkel Small between 1897-1935 and copies of articles, journal interviews, and various other publications written by both botanists during their careers. The correspondence was compiled by Thomas H. Dodd, Jr. of Semmes, Alabama, a prominent horticulturalist, nursery owner, and colleague of Harper. There is a small collection of correspondence between Thomas H. Dodd, Jr. and Marie Mellinger, both naturalists with a passion for recording the history of the South’s flora and ecology.
The correspondence concerned samples sent between the botanists and discussing discoveries in regional flora.
The correspondence concerned samples sent between the botanists and discussing discoveries in regional flora.
Dates
- 1897 - 2006
- Majority of material found within 1897 - 1937
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.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers are responsible for using the materials in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright claimants in collection materials. Copyright for official University records is held by The University of Alabama. The library claims only physical ownership of many manuscript collections. Anyone wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of literary property rights or copyrights. Please contact Special Collections (archives@ua.edu) with questions regarding specific manuscript collections. For more information about copyright policy, please visit: https://www.ua.edu/copyright/. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals without the consent of those individuals may have legal implications, for which the University of Alabama assumes no responsibility.
Biographical / Historical
Thomas H. Dodd, Jr. (1915-2009) was an American horticulturalist based in the state of Alabama. Dodd obtained a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, later renamed Auburn University, before working for the United States Department of Agriculture during World War II. Dodd then joined the team at Tom Dodd Nurseries, founded by Thomas H. Dodd, Sr., and worked there until retirement in 1997. Dodd also served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Alabama Nurserman's Assosiation and served on various committees of the American and Southern Nurserymen's Associations. Dodd introduced at least five varieties of azaleas and worked to introduce many flowering plant varieties throughout his lifetime.
Roland McMillan Harper (1878-1966) was an American botanist based in Georgia who concentrated in plant geography and ecology. Having studied engineering at the University of Georgia, Harper went on to earn a PhD in 1905 from Columbia University in the study of flora. Harper then became the botanist and geographer for the Alabama Geological Survey for a year before holding various botanist positions with national, state, and local agencies and museums. During their life, Haper discovered around 30 flowering plants. Harper espoused white supremacist views in non-scientific writings based on their belief in eugenics.
John Kunkel Small (1869-1938) studied botany at Franklin & Marshall College and Columbia University. After studying, Small served as the first Curator of Museums for the New York Botanical Garden for eight years, and then transitioned posts to the Head Curator and then the Chief Research Associate and Curator. Though based in New York City, Small traveled extensively through the southeastern United States focusing on documenting flora in Florida state. During their career, Small’s research would go on to be recorded in over 450 published works.
Roland McMillan Harper (1878-1966) was an American botanist based in Georgia who concentrated in plant geography and ecology. Having studied engineering at the University of Georgia, Harper went on to earn a PhD in 1905 from Columbia University in the study of flora. Harper then became the botanist and geographer for the Alabama Geological Survey for a year before holding various botanist positions with national, state, and local agencies and museums. During their life, Haper discovered around 30 flowering plants. Harper espoused white supremacist views in non-scientific writings based on their belief in eugenics.
John Kunkel Small (1869-1938) studied botany at Franklin & Marshall College and Columbia University. After studying, Small served as the first Curator of Museums for the New York Botanical Garden for eight years, and then transitioned posts to the Head Curator and then the Chief Research Associate and Curator. Though based in New York City, Small traveled extensively through the southeastern United States focusing on documenting flora in Florida state. During their career, Small’s research would go on to be recorded in over 450 published works.
Extent
1.0 Linear Feet (2 half boxes)
Language of Materials
English
- Title
- Guide to the Thomas H. Dodd, Jr. Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- August 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository