A Guide to the Wilmon Newell Papers
Finding aid created by Dept. Staff
University of Florida Smathers Libraries - Special and Area Studies Collections
December 2008
Descriptive Summary |
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| Provenance: | Newell, Wilmon, 1878-1943. | |
| Title: | Wilmon Newell Papers | |
| Dates: | 1908-1935 | |
| Abstract: | Entomologist Wilmon Newell's manuscripts of his publications and speeches, reprints of journal articles, notes and field notebooks, and clippings of published speeches made during his tenures at Louisiana and Texas experiment stations. | |
| Extent: | 1.3 linear feet. (1 carton) | |
| Identification: | Manuscript Collection 67 | |
Biographical/Historical Note
Wilmon Newell was born March 4, 1878, in Hull, Iowa. He was educated in Iowa and received his B.S. and M.S. from Iowa State University in 1897 and 1899 respectively. He served briefly at experiment stations before being appointed State Entomologist of Georgia in 1903. In 1905, he was appointed Entomologist of the Louisiana Experiment Station and Entomologist and Secretary of the Louisiana Crop Pest Commission. It was at Louisiana that Newell made important contributions in the control of the Cotton Boll Weevil including the first use of powdered lead arsenate. In 1910, he returned to Texas as Professor of Entomology and Experiment Station Entomologist at Texas A and M College. In 1915, he became Florida's first Plant Commissioner in the newly created State Plant Board. Newell directed the successful campaign to eradicate citrus canker. He served as Commissioner until his death. In 1921, the Florida Board of Control selected Newell to head the University of Florida's College of Agriculture and its Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. In 1929, the USDA asked him to head its eradication campaign against the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in Florida. Newell's efforts in this campaign were also successful. In 1938, the post of Provost for Agriculture was created by the Board of Control and Newell held that title until his death on October 25, 1943.
Scope and Content
The Wilmon Newell Papers consist of manuscripts for some of his publications and speeches; several reprints of journal articles; an incomplete bibliography of his publications written prior to 1932; two "spiel" books containing notes and syllabi for speeches and clippings of published speeches made during his tenures as Entomologist at the Louisiana and Texas experiment stations; two field notebooks containing observations of pest control measures in cotton and rice crops in Louisiana; a record of cotton and corn growth at unidentified fields; and Newell's calendar diaries for 1922-1935. The latter do not contain a detailed record of his daily activities, but rather random notes related to issues and projects, newspaper clippings, and trip notes. Some diaries, particularly the later ones, contain few entries and little information. Also included are copies of his 1907 and 1909 Biennial Report to the Governor of Louisiana as Secretary of the Louisiana Crop Pest Commission.
Access or Use Restrictions
Access
Collection is open for research.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Wilmon Newell Papers, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Contents List
Selected Subjects and Access Points |
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| Agricultural experiment stations -- Louisiana | ||
| Agricultural experiment stations -- Texas | ||
| Boll weevil -- Louisiana | ||
| Louisiana Structural Pest Control Commission | ||
| University of Florida. Agricultural Experiment Station. | ||
For further information, please contact: Special Collections Access Services.
