Merrill, Elmer D. (Elmer Drew), 1876-1956

Abstract:

Elmer Drew Merrill served as Director of the Arboretum from 1936 until 1946 and as Emeritus Professor until 1956. The collection is comprised mainly of his administrative correspondence from 1935-46 which includes his position as Administrator of Botanical Collections at Harvard University and also includes one year, 1903, of his correspondence as Botanist for the Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry as well as some other letters and memoranda written before 1935.

Scope and Content: The collection contains letters pertaining to an attempt to get copies of Vols. 1 and 2 of the "Palau Tropical Biological Station Studies" in 1946, a manuscript for "An Index to Rafinesque's Published Technical Names for the Cellular Cryptogams" by E. D. Merrill, and a manuscript "A Partial List of the Present Locations of Authentically Named William Roxburgh's Phanerogams Many Being Isotypes or Perhaps Holotypes of his Indian and Malayan Species." Also included, bank statement and canceled...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher acknowledges the receipt of a check for her professional services. She is happy that he had a short holiday and conversation with Lewis Delafield. She discusses his entrance into the Naval Reserves; the damage of the Dumbarton Oaks grounds due to concerts; the oak that died on the South Lawn; lack of decision from the National Gallery [of Art] about flower bulbs; her visit to Dumbarton Oaks in September; and...

Scope and Contents:

Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand responds to her letter of January 10 (D:BF 1941.01.10). John Thacher emphasizes Beatrix Farrand's usefulness to the "new [Harvard] order" at Dumbarton Oaks and how the focus of Dumbarton Oaks, and consequently the gardens, will have to change.; he responds to her earlier suggestion of preparing material for their meeting by stressing that the general problem of how the gardens can be changed should be their main concern.

Scope and Contents:

Original and duplicate typescript letter with handwritten signature from Paul J. Sachs to Beatrix Farrand informs her of the Corporation of Harvard's appointment of an Administrative Committee [Dumbarton Oaks Administrative Committee] to administer Dumbarton Oaks' matters and expresses his desire that Beatrix Farrand continue to remain involved in the gardens. Paul J. Sachs wonders if she might meet with John Thacher either in Washington, D.C. or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.