Awards, Honors, and Ephemera., 1940-1972

This collection is comprised of eight folders containing clippings from magazines and newspapers, typed announcements and articles, some correspondence, and various ephemera that highlight moments in Robert Cushman Murphy’s life and his association with AMNH. The collection was transferred from the AMNH Office of Public Affairs. The contents of all folders are chronologically ordered. Almost all the material is photocopied printed matter or typewritten, with some carbon copies. Folder 2 contains a handwritten letter from Grace Murphy to Ruth Norton about dissatisfaction on a profile about R.C. Murphy. The small selection of Murphy's articles reflects his ongoing interest in the Antarctic and South Atlantic regions, and the competing demands of industry and conservation. A typical example is the 1954 report, Guano and the Anchoveta Fishery, based on Murphy's December 1953-January 1954 reconnaissance of the guano islands off the coast of Peru and northern Chile, and incorporating material from his earlier work in the area in 1919 (all in folder 7). An interesting personal item (in folder 4) is the program from the dinner at which Murphy was given the annual Long Island Press distinguished service award for 1970, which contains Murphy's handwritten corrections and sarcastic comments in the biographical section. [partially from http://libcat1.amnh.org/ M87 record entry]