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James Paul Chapin correspondence, 1953

 Collection
Identifier: Mss .C4537

Scope and content

The collection consists of letters, handwritten and typwritten, to and from Chapin, mostly concerning his upcoming trip and work. The letters are arranged in alphabetical order by correspondent. Seven letters are from Henri Schouteden and nine are from Robert W. Storer. Other correspondents (one letter each, except where noted) include Rudyerd Boulten; L.D. Branch, discussing the lyre-tailed honeyguide; Herbert Friedmann, discussing honeyguide nesting, including the species Indicator minor; Bernard Heineman; Robert Cushman Murphy (2 letters); Albert E. Parr (2 letters); R.L. Pendleton; M. Poll; John G. Williams; and E. Barton Worthington.

Dates

  • 1953 - 1953

Creator

Language of Material

Some letters in French.

Restrictions on Access

Please contact Special Collections; materials are sometimes restricted.

Biographical sketch

James P. Chapin was an ornithologist and museum curator, especially known for his work in the Congo. Chapin was associated with the American Museum of Natural History from 1909 until his death, beginning as assistant in the Dept. of Ornithology, becoming associate curator in 1923, research associate in African ornithology and curator emeritus in 1948. At the age of 19, Chapin accompanied Herbert Lang as second in command on the 1909-1915 Congo Expedition. During the next 20 years, Chapin made five more trips to the Congo and Central Africa to study ornithology, and published his four-part work, The birds of the Belgian Congo. He also made several other field trips, to North America, Polynesia, the Galapagos Islands and West Africa. From 1953 to 1958, Chapin and his wife, Ruth, did ornithological field work and training in the eastern Congo.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet : 48 items

Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Sponsor
The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation provided support to make this finding aid available in ArchivesSpace (2016-2017). Minimal level collection record created with support from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Hidden Collections grant, 2010.

Repository Details

Part of the Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library Repository

Contact:
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
New York NY 10024 USA
(212) 769-5420