Charles Clemons Deam collection
Collection
Identifier: L572
Scope and Contents
The collection ranges from 1896 to 1952 and includes correspondence and personal papers from Charles Deam, as well as drafts of his manuscript, Grasses of Indiana.
The correspondence consists of Deam’s interactions with other botanists in regard to collecting, identifying, and reproducing plants. In part, this includes correspondence and papers concerning his trips to Florida, Mexico, and Central and South America. Also included is Deam’s correspondence with publishers, research assistants, and reviewers regarding his research and publications. Correspondence with county agents, businesses, and schoolteachers relates to speaking engagements and consulting work. Included, too, are correspondence and papers relating to the Indiana Academy of Science and Deam’s involvement in the fight against pollution, along with his support of the state’s acquisition and preservation of wilderness land. Apart from science, the collection includes personal correspondence with family members as well as his affiliation with the Democratic Party.
Correspondents include, H.H. Bartlett, N.L. Britton, Homer Capehart, Stanley Coulter, W.W. Eggleston, George W. Gilles, J.M. Greenman, G. Grossman, A.S. Hitchcock, Richard Lieber, Warren T. McCray, Kenneth M. MacKensie, Thomas Riley Marshall, Francis W. Pennell, Gene Stratton Porter, Robert Ridgeway, L. S. Sargent, and Paul Weatherwax.
The correspondence consists of Deam’s interactions with other botanists in regard to collecting, identifying, and reproducing plants. In part, this includes correspondence and papers concerning his trips to Florida, Mexico, and Central and South America. Also included is Deam’s correspondence with publishers, research assistants, and reviewers regarding his research and publications. Correspondence with county agents, businesses, and schoolteachers relates to speaking engagements and consulting work. Included, too, are correspondence and papers relating to the Indiana Academy of Science and Deam’s involvement in the fight against pollution, along with his support of the state’s acquisition and preservation of wilderness land. Apart from science, the collection includes personal correspondence with family members as well as his affiliation with the Democratic Party.
Correspondents include, H.H. Bartlett, N.L. Britton, Homer Capehart, Stanley Coulter, W.W. Eggleston, George W. Gilles, J.M. Greenman, G. Grossman, A.S. Hitchcock, Richard Lieber, Warren T. McCray, Kenneth M. MacKensie, Thomas Riley Marshall, Francis W. Pennell, Gene Stratton Porter, Robert Ridgeway, L. S. Sargent, and Paul Weatherwax.
Dates
- 1896-1952
Creator
- Deam, Charles Clemon, 1865-1953 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Charles Clemons Deam was born in Bluffton, Indiana on August 30, 1865, the son of John H. Deam, farmer, and Martha (Marsh) Deam. Charles attended Bluffton High School and later received honorary degrees from Wabash College (A.M., 1920), Depauw University (Sc.D., 1932), and Indiana University (LL.D., 1939). He married Stella Mullin of Indianapolis on June 11, 1893. They had one daughter, Roberta.
Having first worked as a druggist, Deam later started his career as a botanist when he accepted the position of state forester in 1909, advancing to chief state forester in 1919 and serving in that capacity till 1928. In 1928, he began devoting his time to forestry research, continuing to do so till his retirement in 1940. Charles Deam was the author of Shrubs of Indiana (1924), Grasses of Indiana (1929), Trees of Indiana (1932), and Flora of Indiana (1940). He was awarded the Pugsley Silver Medal for work in forestry and was also a founding member of the Indiana Academy of Science. Deam died on May 29, 1953.
Having first worked as a druggist, Deam later started his career as a botanist when he accepted the position of state forester in 1909, advancing to chief state forester in 1919 and serving in that capacity till 1928. In 1928, he began devoting his time to forestry research, continuing to do so till his retirement in 1940. Charles Deam was the author of Shrubs of Indiana (1924), Grasses of Indiana (1929), Trees of Indiana (1932), and Flora of Indiana (1940). He was awarded the Pugsley Silver Medal for work in forestry and was also a founding member of the Indiana Academy of Science. Deam died on May 29, 1953.
Extent
8.3 Cubic Feet (24 manuscript boxes, 2 index card boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Charles Deam in 1948/11 and 1949/07.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed in 2000 by Philip N. Williams. EAD finding aid created in 2000 by Philip N. Williams. EAD finding aid revised 2013/04 by Bethany Fiechter.
Creator
- Deam, Charles Clemon, 1865-1953 (Person)
- Title
- Charles Clemons Deam collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
