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Ernst J. Dornfeld Papers, 1931-1989

By Finding aid prepared by Trevor Sandgathe

Collection Overview

Title: Ernst J. Dornfeld Papers, 1931-1989

Predominant Dates: 1960-1982

ID: MSS Dornfeld

Primary Creator: Dornfeld, Ernst John (1911-)

Extent: 5.3 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The Ernst J. Dornfeld Papers are arranged into seven series: I: Correspondence, 1938-1983; II: Subject Files & Research Notes. 1962-1982; III: Instructional Materials, 1933-1983; IV: Professional Engagement, 1960-1983; V: Publications, 1931-1989; VI: Butterflies of Oregon, 1962-1982; VII: Photographs, circa. 1970-1980. Materials are arranged alphabetically and chronologically within series and, when possible, in alignment with Ernst Dornfeld's original organization. Specimen photographs within Series VII are arranged according to a numbering systems imposed by Dornfeld.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The Ernst J. Dornfeld Papers consist of materials related to Dornfeld's work as a member of the OSU Department of Zoology and his research into lepidoptera. The collection is comprised of correspondence, subject files, field notes, lectures, course materials, records and awards from various professional organizations, publications by Dornfeld, notes and drafts of Butterflies of Oregon, and an extensive collection of photographic prints and negatives of specimens.

Scope and Content Notes

The Ernst J. Dornfeld Papers consist of materials relating to Dornfeld's teaching and research career, emphasizing his work with Oregon lepidoptera. The collection includes correspondence, subject files, field notes, locational data, and photographic prints and negatives documenting Dornfeld's research and specimen collecting efforts. In addition to data generated by Dornfeld, the collection also includes a research notebook created by Alton Alderman, an Oregon resident and lepidoptera enthusiast. The collection also contains materials related to Butterflies of Oregon and other publications including drafts, reprints, documentation from Timber Press, correspondence, newsclippings, photographs and figures, and image notebooks composed of photographic prints arranged on paperboard. The collection contains transcripts of lectures given by Dornfeld and records of his engagement with the Lepidopterists' Society and the Oregon Entomological Society.

Additionally, the Dornfeld Papers include course materials from Dornfeld's Comparative Vertebrate Histology and Vertebrate Anatomy courses, publications relating to his cell biology research, a history of the Department of Zoology, material from the groundbreaking for Cordley Hall, and awards received by Dornfeld from the OSU Alumni Association and the Oregon Academy of Sciences. The collection does not include administrative records from Dornfeld's tenure as Chair of the Department of Zoology or research materials from his cell biology studies.

Biographical / Historical Notes

Ernst John Dornfeld was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 6, 1911. After demonstrating an early interest in insects, he attended Concordia University and Marquette University, graduating in 1933 with a degree in zoology. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin where he earned his M.A. in 1935 and Ph.D in 1937. After a short stint as an instructor of histology and embryology at the University of Oklahoma, he accepted a position as Instructor in Zoology at Oregon State College (now Oregon State University). At OSC, Dornfeld focused predominately on cell biology research and instruction, specializing in cell division and differentiation. In 1950, Dornfeld was made a full professor and in 1952 he was appointed Chairman of the Department of Zoology, a position he held until his retirement in 1976.

In the 1950s, Dornfeld returned to his childhood hobby of butterfly collecting with renewed vigor. Ultimately, he amassed an impressive private collection of over 25,000 specimens. A scientist at heart, Dornfeld maintained careful records of his collecting and developed an intricate model of butterfly species across the state of Oregon. After retiring from Oregon State University, Dornfeld began compiling his knowledge of Oregon lepidoptera, a project which culminated in the publication of the encyclopedic Butterflies of Oregon in 1980. Ernst Dornfeld remained an active member of the Lepidopterists' Society and continued to volunteer at the Systematic Entomology Laboratory until his death in May 1983.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 5800 photographs; 23 boxes

Statement on Access: The collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: 1 cubic foot of materials was transferred from the OSU Department of Entomology to the University Archives in June 2001. An additional 4.6 cubic feet were transferred by Sue Dornfeld in May 2012. All materials are now held by the Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections & Archives Research Center.

Related Materials:

Other materials pertaining to zoology and entomology research include the Zoology Department Records (RG 074), Entomology Department Records (RG 027), College of Science Records (RG 024), Agricultural Experiment Station Records (RG 025), Norman H. Anderson Papers (MSS AndersonN), Ralph Berry Papers (MSS Berry), Nathan Fasten Collection (MSS Fasten), Louis G. Gentner Papers (MSS Gentner), Kenneth L. Gordon Collection (MSS Gordon), John D. Lattin Papers (MSS Lattin), Paul W. Oman Papers (MSS Oman), Paul Ritchter Papers (MSS Ritchter), Frank J. Radovsky Papers (MSS Radovsky), and the Herman A. Scullen Papers (MSS Scullen).

The OSU Memorabilia Collection (MSS MC) includes clippings, reports, and ephemeral items documenting the Zoology Department. Related photographs can be found in the Ken Gray Photograph Collection (P 256) and Harriet's Photograph Collection (P HC).

Preferred Citation: Ernst J. Dornfeld Papers (MSS Dornfeld), Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

Dornfeld, Ernst John (1911-)
Alderman, A. L. (Alton Lovell) (1907-)

People, Places, and Topics

Cytology.
Dornfeld, Ernst John, 1911-
Embryology.
Entomology--Study and teaching (Higher)--Oregon--Corvallis.
Histology.
History of Science
Lepidopterists' Society
Lepidopterology.
Natural Resources
Oregon Entomological Society
Oregon State College. Department of Zoology
Timber Press (Portland, Or.)
University History
Zoology--Study and teaching (Higher)--Oregon--Corvallis.

Forms of Material

Film negatives.
Photographic prints.
Slides (photographs).
Transparencies.


Box and Folder Listing