Faculty Records (University Of Maine). Professor Simpson (Geddes W.) Records
Scope and Contents
The records mainly contain textual information created and curated by Geddes W. Simpson who was a nationally known entomologist researcher for his work on aphids, especially those affecting potatoes, but there are also some photographs used as illustrations in research papers and of colleagues. The records cover his service to the University of Maine at Orono as a researcher and later director of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, professor of entomology, and as editor of the Potato Association of America's American Potato Journal.
The record series Research Papers & Correspondence contains various correspondence with colleagues regarding research and copies of research reports & publications related to Simpson’s work at both the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station and as a professor of entomology.
The record series Subject Records mostly contain correspondence with colleagues both at the University of Maine and other academic institutions and research facilities related to Simpson’s work at both the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, a professor of entomology, and editor of the Potato Association of America's American Potato Journal.
The record series U.S. Department Of Agriculture Cooperation & Experiment Station Research Records mostly contains research reports, proofs of papers authored or co-authored by Simpson, correspondence regarding the submission and review of these papers to various publications, and copies of Experiment Station bulletins and the “Maine Farm Research” publication that feature papers and articles authored or co-authored by Simpson. Most of the papers and reports relate to U.S. Department Of Agriculture supported research at the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station on the subject of controlling aphids on potatoes. There are also clippings of various articles and papers.
The record series University of Maine Administrative & Historical Records contains copies of papers on the history of the University of Maine’s Department of Entomology, test papers, and various miscellaneous administrative material regarding the research and organization of the Department, its staffing and budgets. The series also contains correspondence, details of staff turnover in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, and a copy of an obituary for Edith Marion Patch.
The record series Potato Association of America Records mostly contains correspondence regarding manuscripts of papers submitted to Geddes Simpson for review in his role as editor of the Potato Association of America's American Potato Journal. There are also copies of some of the manuscripts submitted. There is correspondence with presidents of the Association and copies of the Association’s annual reports and publications. The series also contains awards Simpson received from the Association.
The record series UMaine Honors Program Records contains material related to Simpson’s tenure teaching in the Program includes: correspondence with colleagues, curriculum material, example student papers, and lists of students participating.
The record series Biographical & Personal Records contains miscellaneous photographs of Simpson and the Potato Processing Plant named in his honor, journal, awards, and program from a basketball match.
Dates
- 1928-2001
Creator
- Simpson, Geddes W. (Person)
Restrictions on Access
Kept at Fogler Library's offsite storage facility. One week's notice required for retrieval. Personal identifiable and sensitive information will be redacted before release.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Information on literary rights available in the repository.
Biographical Note
Geddes Wilson Simpson was born in 1908 in Scranton, Pennsylvania and died in 2001. He received an A.B. in zoology from Bucknell Unitersity in 1929 and an A.M. in insect morphology from Cornell University in 1931. In 1935 he completed a Ph.D. in economic entomology at Cornell. In 1931 he joined the staff of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of Maine, and as a research entomologist he gained national recognition for his work on aphids, especially those affecting potatoes. In 1944 he was appointed associate entomologist and in 1952 was named professor of entomology, remaining in that position until his retirement in 1974. Upon his retirement he was awarded emeritus status and also began a part-time assignment with the Experiment Station as assistant to the director with responsibility for publications. For many years he was editor of the Potato Association of America's American Potato Journal. In 1975, Simpson was selected as the 56th Honorary Life Member of the Potato Association of America. Simpson also taught in the University of Maine's Honors Program.
In 2001, a Geddes W. Simpson Lecture Series Fund was established by the University of Maine Foundation with the support of the family of Simpson for speakers of prominence who have provided significant insight into the area where science and history intersect.
Extent
12 boxes
2 box (Half size box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Papers from Geddes W. Simpson's association with the Department of Entomology and the Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of Maine as well as editorship of American Potato journal.
Arrangement
The Records Group is broken down intellectually into the following record series: 1. Research Papers & Correspondence, 2. Subject Records, 3. U.S. Department Of Agriculture Cooperation & Experiment Station Research Records, 4. University of Maine Admistrative & Historical Records, 5. Potato Association Of America Records, 6. UMaine Honors Program Records, and 7. Biographical & Personal Records.
Physically the Papers series is arranged chronologically by date of creation. The Subject Records series is arranged in alphabetical order by subject name. The series U.S. Department Of Agriculture Cooperation & Experiment Station Research Records, Department Of Entomology Administrative & Historical Records, and UMaine Honors Program Records are all arranged by subject. The series Potato Association Of America Records are mainly arranged chronologically by date of creation.
File names and dates were added and material was separated and divided into multiple sub-folders and grouped and merged with material on the same subject where necessary. Material was rehoused into archival quality storage.
Box numbers have changed:
- Old Box #245 (New Box #1)
- Old Box #246 (New Box #2)
- Old Box #247 (New Box #3)
- Old Box #248 (New Box #4)
- Old Box #249 (New Box #5)
- Old Box #249a (New Box #6)
- Old Box #649 (New Box #7)
- Old Box #650 (New Box #8)
- Old Box #651 (New Box #9)
- Old Box #652 (New Box #10)
- Old Box #653 (New Box #11)
Accruals
Accruals from Professor Simpson are not anticipated because he died in 2001.
General
Formerly SpC MS 0466.
Processing Information
Boxes 1-11 were processed by Matthew Revitt, January 2019 and boxes 12-14 in November, 2019, Raymond H. Fogler Library Special Collections Department. Processing involved a collection survey and intellectual arrangement into series and the creation of this finding aid. Material was rehoused into appropriate archival folders and the boxes and folders numbered and titled using information from ArchivesSpace.
- American Potato Journal Subject Source: Local sources
- Articles Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Entomology -- Research Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Insects Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Journals (Periodicals) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Maine Agricultural Experiment Station
- Manuscripts Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Potato Association of America
- Potato industry Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Potatoes -- Maine Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Potatoes -- Research Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Reports Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Title
- University Of Maine. Professor Simpson (Geddes W.) Records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Matthew Revitt
- Date
- January 4, 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English.
Revision Statements
- November 12, 2019: Add 3 additional boxes
Repository Details
Part of the Raymond H. Fogler Library University Archives Repository
5729 Raymond H. Fogler Library
University of Maine
Orono ME 04469-5729 United States
207-581-1686