James Paul Chapin correspondence, 1953
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
- Chapin, James Paul, 1889-1964 (Person)
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
Creator
- Chapin, James Paul, 1889-1964 (Person)
- American Museum of Natural History. Department of Ornithology (Organization)
- 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
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
New York NY 10024 USA
(212) 769-5420
[email protected]
