Ruth Thomas Papers

Collection

Identifier: MC 824

Staff Only
Select files to request

Scope and Content Note

The papers consist mostly of banding returns and Purple Finch studies. They also include several photographs and an extensive card file documenting bird sightings from 1948 to 1972. Photographs 1-4 are of Ruth Thomas, c. 1920-1960. Photograph 5 is of a Ruth Thomas book signing. Photographs 6-15 are of Ruth Thomas and various birds taken at her home in Morrilton, Arkansas, in 1970. The card file has been preserved in its original arrangement.

Dates

1948-1973

Creator

Thomas, Ruth Harris (Person)

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

Ruth Harris Thomas (1900-1973) was an avid ornithologist from Morrilton (Conway County), Arkansas. After graduating from Louisiana State University in 1923, she became a reporter for the Arkansas Gazette. In 1933, Mrs. Thomas began her column, "The Country Diarist," a nature and bird-watchers' column, which ran uninterrupted for nearly forty years. She was also the author of two books -- Crip, Come Home: The Story of a Bird Who Came to Stay (Harper, 1952) and Brush Goat, Milk Goat (Sterling, 1957). Mrs. Thomas was a member of the American Ornithologists Union since 1935, and since 1937 was an active bird bander.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Additional Description

Arrangement of the Papers

Materials are arranged by type and chronologically.

Acquisition Information

Dr. Douglas James and Joe Neal, Department of Zoology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, donated the Ruth Thomas papers to the Special Collections Department on May 24, 1988.

Related Materials

Records relating to the Ruth Thomas Papers include:

Ruth Thomas Materials 1946-1972

Processing Information

Processed by Anthony J. Wappel, Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas, in September 1988.

Last modified: Friday, January 23, 2009.