Lowell lectures
Scope and Contents
Gray was engaged to do a series of 12 lectures that began in early 1844. He then did additional lecture series in 1845 and 1846. Based on notes in the collection, Gray devoted the first season's lectures to the "structure and growth, economy and life of plants," the second season to "flowerless or Cryptagamous plants," and the third season to "systematic and geographical botany."
Lectures from the first season are not in the collection. There are eight folders of lectures that correspond to lectures 2-9 of the second season. There are 11 groups of manuscripts which seem to correspond to the subject matter of the third season but those materials do not form a clear sequence. It is likely they were reused for other occasions, as later dates appear on some of the folders and on materials in the groups. All are manuscripts in Gray’s hand.
Dates
- Creation: 1845-1891
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is available by appointment for research. Researchers must register and provide valid photo identification. Please contact botref@oeb.harvard.edu for additional information.
Extent
8 linear feet (17 document boxes, 3 oversize boxes, 8 oversize folders in flat file, 1 scrapbook volume)Creator
- From the Collection: Gray, Asa, 1810-1888 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Botany Libraries, Gray Herbarium Library, Harvard University Repository
The Harvard University Herbaria houses five research libraries that are managed collectively as the Botany Libraries. The Gray Herbarium Library specializes in the identification and classification of New World plants with emphasis on North American plants. The Archives of the Gray Herbarium houses unique resources including personal papers, institutional records, field notes and plant lists, expedition records, photographs, original artwork, and objects from faculty, curators, staff, and affiliates of the Gray Herbarium.
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