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Edward J. Cushing papers

 Collection
Identifier: ua01295

Scope and Contents

The collection contains research data, field notebooks, photographs and photomicrographs, and maps. The bulk of the collection is made up of data collected about pollen and sediments found in bodies of water, primarily in Minnesota and Indonesia. Also, there are materials related to classes taught by Cushing, including mounted photographs of plants, slide sets, and cassette tape recordings.

Dates

  • Creation: 1934-2015

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives.

Biographical Note

Edward John Cushing was born on November 15, 1933 in St. Louis, Missouri (1). He earned his B.A. from Washington University in 1954, received a diploma of the Graduate School for Foriegn Students at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark in 1961, and his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota in 1963. Cushing was a NATO postdoctoral fellow at the University College of North Wales, Bangor from 1966 to 1967. He began working at the University of Minnesota in 1961, where he taught classes in the Department of Geology. He became an assistant professor for the Department of Geology and Geophysics in 1964, an assistant professor for the Department of Botany in 1967, and an associate professor for the Department of Botany in 1969 (1). He continued working at the university until his retirement as professor emeritus in 2006 (2).

His primary research interests include the ecology and paleoecology of vegetation and landscapes, phytogeography, quaternary vegetation history of Minnesota and Indonesia, and pollen and spore morphology and analysis (1). Alongside his research, Cushing was a member of many scientific societies, including the Geological Society of America, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Association for Quaternary Research, and the British Ecological Society (1).

References:

(1) Biographical File, Cushing, Edward J., Information files collection, University Archives.

(2) Student/Staff Directory, 2006-2007.


Extent

16.33 Cubic Feet (12 record boxes and 1 flat box )

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection contains the papers of Edward J. Cushing, professor emeritus of botany at the University of Minnesota. These papers include research data about pollen and spore species, field notebooks, photomicrographs of pollen and spore species, class materials, and maps showing plant distributions.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in the following series:

  • Series 1: Research Data, 1940-2014
  • Series 2: Field Notebooks, 1957-2012
  • Series 3: Professional Material, 1950-2012
    • Subseries 3.1: Department Material, 1950-2012
    • Subseries 3.2: Curriculum Material, 1970-2005
  • Series 4: Photographs, Photomicrographs and Negatives, 1934-2010
    • Subseries 4.1: Photographs, 1934-2007
    • Subseries 4.2: Photomicrographs, 1961-2010, undated
    • Subseries 4.3: Negatives, 1961-2007, undated
  • Series 5: Maps, 1900-1966, undated

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was acquired in three parts. 6 boxes were transferred to the University Archives on October 7, 2013 by both the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior and Edward Cushing. The second accession was donated by Edward Cushing’s lab assistant, George Weiblen in May of 2015. The third accession was transferred in January 15, 2016 by the Department of Botany.

Processing Information

Processing completed with funds from the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society (2021-2022).

Title
Edward J. Cushing papers
Status
Completed
Author
Adriana Esparza; Katelyn Morken
Date
July 2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Collecting Area Details

Contact The University Archives Collecting Area

Contact:

612-624-0562