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Samuel C. Dellinger Papers, Addendum

 Collection
Identifier: MC 1425

Scope and Content Note

This collection includes biographical, financial, and genealogical records, as well as correspondence, contracts, deeds, and titles pertaining to Dellinger, his wife Elsie, and his father Robert H. Dellinger. It contains materials, including photographs, clippings, and writings, reflecting Dellinger's interest in prehistoric Native American culture in Arkansas. Also included are materials relating to conservation organizations with which he was involved, including the Arkansas Nature Conservancy and the Ozark Society. The collection includes materials relating to the "B," a conservation organization formed during the annual meeting of the International Association of Game, Fish and Conservation Commissioners in August 1925. It also includes materials pertaining to the United Daughters of the Confederacy, of which Elsie Dellinger was president of the Arkansas chapter.

The collection's photographs include portraits and informal images of Dellinger. They also include pictures of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority of the University of Arkansas dating from when Dellinger's daughter, Martha, was a member in ca. 1942 to 1946. Twenty-four photographs are images of prehistoric Native American pottery and flint tools found at sites in Arkansas. The collection includes a copy book dating from 1886 used by Robert H. Dellinger to practice penmanship. It also includes a gavel presented to Samuel Dellinger for service to "A.A.S." in 1960 and 1961 and a framed panoramic photograph of the Summer School Class of 1926.

Dates

  • 1886-1972

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

Samuel C. Dellinger (1892-1973) was professor of zoology at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (chairman of the department 1922-1957), as well as "curator" (director) of the University Museum, 1925-1960. He was also involved in anthropology, a member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and a conservation activist.

Samuel Claudius Dellinger was born in 1892 in North Carolina. He studied at Duke University and was granted his B.A. in zoology in 1915. He then became professor of biology at Hendrix College, Conway. He took a year off to obtain his M.A. at Columbia University, 1917, and then returned to Conway. About 1918 he did some work toward a Ph.D. at Columbia, but never completed the degree, though he was always called "Doctor." He taught in Florida public schools, 1919-1920, and worked as a chemist for the Florida Citrus Exchange. In 1921 he came to the University of Arkansas as assistant professor of zoology, and was promoted to professor in 1924.

Dellinger was chairman of the Department of Zoology, 1922-1957, and director of the museum, 1925-1960. In 1926 he won a $20,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation for a state archaeological survey, the first such large grant ever awarded in Arkansas. Although lacking formal training in anthropology, he began teaching anthropology courses through the Department of Zoology, and in 1934 he was chairman of the Southern Prehistory Society. In the late 1930s and 1940s, he was president and editor of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, and in 1960/61 was the first president of the Arkansas Archeological Society (new series). He was also a charter member of the archaeological societies of Oklahoma and Missouri. At the university, he was advisor to the Arkansas chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a premedical and predental fraternity.

Dellinger was interested in conservation and taught classes in conservation and natural resources. He was a member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission from 1922 to 1957. He supported the Buffalo National River and Lake Fayetteville Park, as well as various liberal political causes. He was also interested in folklore and helped organize the first folklore meeting in Eureka Springs in 1928.

After his retirement in 1959 Professor Emeritus Dellinger continued his political and conservation activities. He was a member of the Audubon Society, the National Gourd Society, the Nature Conservancy, Fayetteville's City Beautification Committee (he was chairman in 1968), as well as other organizations. He died in 1973.

Extent

5 Linear Feet (2 boxes and 1 item)

Arrangement of the Papers

Materials are arranged by material type and by topic.

Acquisition Information

This addendum to the Samuel Dellinger papers was donated to the University of Arkansas Libraries by Samuel Dellinger's daughter, Martha Dellinger.

Related Materials

Records relating to the Samuel C. Dellinger Papers Addendum include:

Samuel C. Dellinger Papers 1789-1970s

Processing Information

Todd E. Lewis; completed in September 2000

Title
Samuel C. Dellinger Papers Addendum
Status
Completed
Author
Todd E. Lewis
Date
2000
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444