Robert Cushman Murphy collection
Scope and Contents
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]
Dates
- 1913-1973
- Majority of material found within 1930-1973
Creator
- Murphy, Robert Cushman, 1887-1973 (Person)
Access
Please contact Special Collections; materials are sometimes restricted.
Biographical Note
Robert Cushman Murphy, an ornithologist, conservationist, author and museum curator, spent 35 years with the American Museum of Natural History, retiring as chairman of the Dept. of Ornithology and Lamont Curator of Birds in 1955. Murphy's interests in oceanic birds and conservation were established during his first expedition for the AMNH, the 1912-1913 South Georgia Island Expedition. After working for several years at the Brooklyn Museum, Murphy was appointed associate curator of birds at the AMNH in 1921. He eventually went on 13 expeditions, to Peru, the Mediterranean Sea, New Zealand and other Pacific Islands, Bermuda, Venezuela, and islands in the Caribbean, often accompanied by his wife, Grace, a naturalist, conservationist and author. During the 1920-1941 Whitney South Sea Expedition, Murphy's expertise kept him out of the field so that specimens could be processed, studied and classified as soon as they arrived. In 1932, Murphy faced the daunting task of cataloging the 280,000 birds acquired by the AMNH when it purchased Lord Rothschild's Tring collection. With the help of Grace Murphy and Ernst Mayr, the work was completed in 4 months. Murphy published five books, including Birds of Peru (1925) and Oceanic birds of South America (2 v., 1936, 1948). In addition, he was co-author or contributor to five others, and wrote between 500 and 600 articles, both scientific and popular. Murphy died in 1973. [from http://libcat1.amnh.org/ M87 record entry]
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Source of Acquisition
Transfer; AMNH Office of Public Affairs, 1993.
Separated Materials
AMNH Research Library Vertical Files
Condition
The collection is generally stable and in fine condition. Folder 6 contains brittle newspaper clippings.
Physical Description
Collection is mainly comprised of typewritten original or photocopies of letters or announcements, newspaper and magazine articles, includes original pamphlets or booklets commemorating events in Murphy’s life.
- American Museum of Natural History
- American Museum of Natural History. Department of Ornithology
- Conservationists -- New York (State) -- New York
- Conservationists -- United States
- Manuscript Collection
- Murphy, Robert Cushman, 1887-1973 -- Administration
- Museum curators
- Ornithologists -- United States
- Ornithology -- United States
Creator
- Murphy, Robert Cushman, 1887-1973 (Person)
- Title
- Robert Cushman Murphy collection, 1913-1973 (bulk 1930-1973)
- Status
- Multilevel Complete
- Author
- Cara Shatzman
- Date
- September 5, 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
- Sponsor
- The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation provided support to make this finding aid available in ArchivesSpace (2016-2017). Finding aid created with support from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Hidden Collections grant, 2012.
- Edition statement
- Information for this finding aid expanded on the original catalog record written by Ann Herendeen, 2004.
Repository Details
Part of the Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library Repository
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
New York NY 10024 USA
(212) 769-5420
[email protected]
