Guide to the Larry Alston Whitford Papers, 1921 - 1996

Collection Number MC 107

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Collection Information
Abstract:

Recollections and other material documenting the life and career of L. A. (Larry Alston) Whitford. These include original class notes, 1921-1925, for North Carolina State College courses in botany, agriculture, anatomy, and physics. Also included are materials collected by James R. Troyer when he wrote a biographical article about Whitford.

L. A. (Larry Alston) Whitford (1902-1995) was associated with North Carolina State University through most of his higher education and career. Whitford earned an undergraduate degree in biology from North Carolina State College in 1925 and an M.S. in 1929. He went on to serve as a botany professor from 1926 to 1968, specializing in the study of phycology.

Contact Information:
Processed by
Jaime L. Margalotti
Date Completed
September 2003
Encoded by
Jaime L. Margalotti

Descriptive Summary

Creator

Whitford, L. A. (Larry Alston), 1902-

Title

Larry Alston Whitford Papers, 1921 - 1996

Call Number

MC 107

Extent

1 archival storage box, 0.5 linear feet

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires ate least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

Gift of L. A. Whitford, 1982, and J. R. Troyer, 2003.
Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Larry Alston Whitford Papers, MC 107, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Copyright Notice

The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical Note


L. A. (Larry Alston) Whitford (1902-1995) was one of North Carolina State College's first two graduates in biology. Whitford earned a B.S. degree in 1925 from North Carolina State College, an M.S. degree in 1929, also from State College, and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1941. He was a member of the faculty of North Carolina State College. He studied phycology and wrote a manual on the fresh-water algal flora of North Carolina with G. J. Schumacher. Whitford taught at State College from 1926 until 1968, when he officially retired and took the title of professor emeritus. J. R. Troyer described him as "a living symbol of the power of education over poverty and humble birth, a perfect personification of the spirit and purpose of the American land-grant college system."

Scope and Content Note


The Larry Alston Whitford Papers are made up of original materials donated by Whitford and secondary and research materials compiled by James R. Troyer when he wrote an article about Whitford. The Personal Papers series is the largest, made up of biographical information about L. A. Whitford, Whitford's recollections, notes he took in State College classes during the 1920s, awards he was nominated for, and the scholarship formed in his name. There are also a small Professional Papers series concerning his teaching career at North Carolina State College and a small Photographs series with several portraits of him.

Organization of Collection


This collection is divided into three series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, and Photographs. Wherever possible, the materials are arranged according to subseries and then chronologically.

Online Catalog Headings

Individuals

  • Troyer, James R.
  • Whitford, L. A. (Larry Alston), 1902-

Corporate Entities

  • North Carolina State College--History.

Topics

  • Botany -- Study and teaching -- North Carolina.

Related Material

MC 335 James R. Troyer Collection on North Carolina Botanists
MC 202 Wilbur Fisk Massey Papers
UA 100.015 North Carolina State University Dept. of Botany Records

Detailed Description of the Collection


  • MC 107 Series 01 : Personal Papers, 1925 - 1996


    0.5 archival box , 0.25 linear feet



    • Larry Alston Whitford and the Land-Grant College Ideal, 1995 - 1996 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 1]
    • Biographical Information, 1925 - 1995 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 2]
    • Recollections, ca. 1984 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 3]
    • Lecture Notes: Botany - Taught by B. W. Wells, 1921 - 1922 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 4]
    • Lecture Notes: Dairying - Taught by Fred Haig, 1922 - 1923 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 5]
    • Lecture Notes: Physics Lectures - Taught by Prof. Heck (I), 1922 - 1923 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 6]
    • Lecture Notes: Physics Lectures - Taught by Prof. Heck (II), 1922 - 1923 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 7]
    • Lecture Notes: Advanced Plant Morphology - Taught by B. W. Wells, 1923 - 1924 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 8]
    • Lecture Notes: Comparative Anatomy - Taught by L. H. Snyder, 1925 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 9]
    • Award Nominations, 1981 - 1990 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 10]
    • Larry A. Whitford Scholarship/Fellowship Fund, 1981 - 1995 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 11]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • MC 107 Series 02 : Professional Papers, 1956 - 1993


    1 folder , 0.01 linear feet
    • Research and Teaching, 1956 - 1993 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 12]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • MC 107 Series 03 : Photographs, 1960 - 1974


    1 folder , 0.01 linear feet
    • Portraits, 1960 - 1974 [MC 107 Box 1, Folder 13]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]