John W. Moore papers

John W. Moore was born in Jud, North Dakota on June 23, 1901. (1) He completed his bachelor of science degree at Brookings, South Dakota in June of 1924, where he excelled in botany, chemistry, and geology. He then completed his Masters degree in botany, with a minor in entomology, at the University of Minnesota in June of 1926. In 1927, Moore worked as an Assistant Botanist at the University of Minnesota (2) while attaining his Ph.D. in Botany, with a minor in Geology, and researched the native plants found in Tahiti, Raiatea and the Society Islands. During this time, Moore provided additional research work near Nephi in the San Juan country of Utah, under the direction of Dr. J. Arthur Harris, Head of the Botany Department. (1) After achieving his Ph.D. in March of 1933, Moore was promoted to Herbarium Assistant of Botany in 1935, (3) to Junior Botanist in 1938 (4) and finally Associate Botanist in 1939. (5)

As an expert in the field of taxonomic botany, Moore was frequently requested to review the manuscripts of other scholars for accuracy and validation. Dr. Moore worked with these scholars not only to verify their information, but also to identify plants provided to him for their manuscripts.

While teaching botany at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Moore also regularly corresponded with the public regarding plant identification as this was a service provided by the University of Minnesota’s Herbarium. Members of the public would either describe in detail the plant in question or would send him samples of the plant’s leaves or flowers for Moore to identify, and he would respond with the identification and additional information about the plant, such as if it is native to Minnesota, how to care for it, or how to eradicate it.

Moore was a member of a number of societies including the American Society for Plant Taxonomists, The Minnesota Botanical Society, The National Geographic Society, Gamma Alpha fraternity, The Society of Sigma Xi, and others. He was also a member of the advisory committee for the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association in 1955, to which he was unanimously nominated. This association was “to stimulate interest in the educational activities and encourage scientific investigations and research in the fields of archeology, ethnology, history, geology, botany, zoology, and related subjects, bearing upon the Pipestone National Monument region.”

Moore continued his research and coursework at the University of Minnesota up until his retirement on July 1, 1969. He passed away in 2000. (6)

References:

(1) Biographical File, Moore, John W., Information file collection, University Archives.

(2) University of Minnesota Board of Regents Meeting, October 17, 1927.

(3) University of Minnesota Board of Regents Meeting, August 7, 1935.

(4) University of Minnesota Board of Regents Meeting, May 11, 1938.

(5) University of Minnesota Board of Regents Meeting, June 12, 1940.

(6) University of Minnesota Board of Regents Meeting, September 28, 2000.