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Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Collection

 Collection
Identifier: WUA-01-wua00332

This collection is comprised of historical materials from the Washington University Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. This includes theses, dissertations, some administrative papers, and a scrapbook.

Dates

  • Creation: 1873-1967

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Conditions Governing Use

Users of the collection must read and agree to abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the Materials Use Policies.

Providing access to materials does not constitute permission to publish or otherwise authorize use. All publication not covered by fair use or other exceptions is restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder, which may or may not be Washington University.

If you wish to publish or license Special Collections materials, please contact Special Collections to inquire about copyright status at (314) 935-5495 or spec@wumail.wustl.edu. (Publish means quotation in whole or in part in seminar or term papers, theses or dissertations, journal articles, monographs, books, digital forms, photographs, images, dramatic presentations, transcriptions, or any other form prepared for a limited or general public.)

Extent

3 linear feet

4 boxes

Historical Information

William B. Potter was appointed the Allen Professor of Mining and Metallurgy in 1871. Thomas Allen, President of the Missouri Iron Mountain Railroad Company, pledged $2,800 per year for a 5-year period to support the teaching of mining and metallurgy at the university. It was reported that the Department of Mining and Metallurgy’s laboratory was outstanding for its day, even housing the collection of the Missouri State Geological Survey. The pledge from Thomas Allen was not renewed and expired in 1876. Enrollment in the department declined significantly in the 1880s. In 1892, the course in Mining and Metallurgy was abolished. The Department of Geology had gained traction under the leadership of Walter McCourt, Professor of Geology, in the 1910s. The Department of Geology expanded and developed over time, becoming the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.

Physical Access Requirements

Some of these materials are fragile and may require special handling.

Title
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Collection
Description rules
dacs
Language of description
eng

Revision Statements

  • 2021 May 13: Resource record updated in ArchiveSpace by Sarah Schnuriger.

Collecting Area Details

Part of the University Archives Collecting Area

Contact:
Sonya Rooney
Olin Library, 1 Brookings Drive
MSC 1061-141-B
St. Louis MO 63130 US
(314) 935-5495