Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 21/7/181
Earl Douglass (1862-1931)
Papers, 1893-2005, n.d.


Descriptive summary

creator:

Douglass, Earl (1862-1931)

title:

Papers

dates:

1893-2005, n.d.

extent:

2.21 linear ft. (1 half-document box, 1 map case folder)

collection number:

RS 21/7/181

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research, the original 1893 graduation composite photo is restricted

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Earl Douglass Papers, RS 21/7/181, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

Earl Douglass was born in Medford, Minnesota, on October 18, 1862. He studied at the University of South Dakota (1888) and received his B.S. (1893) from Iowa State College (University). He received his M.S. (1900) in geology from the University of Montana. He taught at various primary schools throughout Montana. Douglass taught at the University of Montana (1899-1900) and was then granted a fellowship in geology at Princeton University (1900-1902).

In 1902, Douglass became a member of the staff of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, assigned to research work in Paleontology. He collected fossils throughout Montana for the museum and in 1907 the museum sent him to explore the Uinta Basin in northeastern Utah. It was there that Douglass uncovered an extensive array of mammal and dinosaur fossils. The area was eventually designated as Dinosaur National Monument.

Earl Douglass married Pearl C. Goelschius in 1905. They had one son, Gawin Earl Douglass. Earl Douglass died on January 13, 1931.

 

Collection description

This collection (1893-2005, n.d.) contains material related to Earl Douglass and his work in paleontology. The collection includes articles written about Douglass and his work, poetry written by Douglass, and a Register of Papers contained in the Special Collections Department of the University of Utah Libraries. The collection also contains two oversized items: a composite photograph of the Iowa State graduating class of 1893 and his diploma from Iowa State.

 

Organization

The collection is arranged in alphabetical order.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Biographical information – articles and writings about Douglass

1942-2005, n.d.

1

2

Composite photo of graduation class (copy)

1893

MAP

CASE

Composite photo of graduation class (original restricted)

1893

1

3

Diploma, Iowa State College (University) (copy)

1893

MAP

CASE

Diploma, Iowa State College (University) (original)

1893

1

4

Poems by Douglass (photocopies)

n.d.

1

5

Postcard – image of Douglass

n.d.

1

6

Publication about Douglass and Uinta Basin region – Dinosaur: The Story Behind the Scenery, by Allen Hagood and Linda West

1999

1

7

Register of the Papers of Earl Douglass, 1862-1931 (University of Utah)

1982