Abstract:

This collection is comprised of publications, field notes, photographs, and correspondence by Joseph Francis Charles Rock. Rock worked as a botanist, anthropologist, explorer, linguist, and author for various agencies while travelling in Asia. Rock’s affiliation with the Arnold arboretum was that of a researcher in China and Tibet from 1924-1927. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence, records, and images developed during that visit

Overview: This small collection consists of letters written by Joseph Hers and photographs taken during Hers’ trips to Asia. Hers, a Belgian citizen, originally went to China as an interpreter with the Belgium Ministry of Foreign Affairs, though he would eventually hold several jobs in that country. Despite describing his own knowledge of botany as “very limited,” between 1919 and 1924, Hers compiled and sent to the Arnold Arboretum over 2000 plant specimens. The materials in this collection primarily...

Overview:

Compiled by plant explorer William Purdom, this collection consists primarily of correspondence. There are some photographs and documents relating to expedition expenses. Purdom was dispatched to Asia to collect plants for the first time by C. S. Sargent in 1909. Though he would return to Asia later, this collection is comprised of materials dating from 1909-1912.