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Dwight Moore Papers, 1896-1975

 Collection
Identifier: MC 593

Scope and Content Note

The papers consist of 5 linear feet of correspondence to and from family, friends, and fellow botanists. In addition, there are 5 linear feet of research notes and correspondence pertaining to Dr. Moore's Arkansas flowers, grasses, plants, trees, and shrubs research, as well as his involvement with professional organizations such as the Arkansas Academy of Sciences. The papers include sketches and slides used for lectures and other presentations, and photographs of botanical expeditions. The papers also include Dr. Moore's and other botany professors' grade books. The papers also include Elizabeth French Moore's scrapbook and photographs pertaining to Ozark Mountain Crafts of Fayetteville, Arkansas, a business dedicated to the creation and preservation of Ozark crafts. Series 8 materials relate to Dwight Moore’s service with the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I, as well as his attendance at the University of Montpellier as part of the American School Detachment.

Dates

  • 1896-1975

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials are primarily in English. Some materials in Series 8 are in French or German.

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

The material in Series 5 is restricted according to the student records policy of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S. Code). Researchers desiring access to the material should consult with the head of Special Collections.

When noted, use of originals is restricted for preservation reasons, and access copies are available for use.

No Interlibrary Loan.

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

Biographical Note

Dwight Munson Moore (1891-1985) was born in Zanesville, Ohio, and graduated from Denison University (Granville, Ohio) in 1914. In 1917 he joined the Army and served in France on hospital trains as a medical department sergeant during World War I.

After the war, Moore remained in France and studied at the University of Montpellier. In 1919 he returned to Ohio where he taught chemistry at Monroeville High School. In 1924 Moore received a doctorate in botany from Ohio State University. That year he and his wife, Elizabeth French (1897-1965), a native of Chicago, Illinois, moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Moore's teaching career in Arkansas began at the University of Arkansas where he taught botany between 1924 and 1957. He was active in building the state's primary research collection of herbarium species. Soon after arriving in Arkansas he began collecting botanical specimens and by the time of his retirement he was recognized nationally as an authority on Arkansas plants.

Upon retirement from the University of Arkansas in 1957, Moore taught forestry at Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical University in Monticello. In 1958 and 1959 he was a visiting professor at universities in Saigon and Hue, South Vietnam. Between 1961 and 1967 he taught botany at Arkansas Technical College in Russellville where he met his second wife, Clemy (Winfrey) Kizer. Upon resigning from Arkansas Tech, Dr. and Mrs. Moore spent the next three years establishing a seventeen-acre arboretum on the grounds of El Dorado High School.

Moore was also active in professional organizations. Soon after he came to Arkansas he reorganized the Arkansas Academy of Sciences. Through 1974 he missed only two of its meetings, served three times as president, and for more than twelve years edited its newsletter, "The Historian."

Extent

12.5 Linear Feet (28 Boxes)

Arrangement of the Papers

Material is arranged by format and described in eight series:

  1. Series 1. Dwight Moore Accession
  2. Series 2. Correspondence
  3. Series 3. Subject Files
  4. Series 3. Subseries 1. Flowers
  5. Series 3. Subseries 2. Grasses
  6. Series 3. Subseries 3. Plants
  7. Series 3. Subseries 4. Trees and Shrubs
  8. Series 3. Subseries 5. Trees and Shrubs of Arkansas manuscripts
  9. Series 3. Subseries 6. Other Research Files
  10. Series 3. Subseries 7. Collection Records and Class Notes
  11. Series 3. Subseries 8. Professional Organizations
  12. Series 3. Subseries 9. Academic Institutions
  13. Series 4. Botanical Sketches and Photographs
  14. Series 4. Subseries 1. Sketches and Slides
  15. Series 4. Subseries 2. Photographs
  16. Series 5. Grade Books
  17. Series 6. Ephemera and Family Photographs
  18. Series 7. Ozark Mountain Crafts
  19. Series 8. World War I Materials

Acquisition Information

On December 15, 1975, Dr. Dwight Munson Moore of Fayetteville, Arkansas, donated .5 linear feet of papers to Special Collections. On July 5, 1986, Moore's wife, Clementine Winfrey Moore, of Rudy, Arkansas, donated 11.5 feet of Moore's papers to Special Collections. The two accessions were combined into the present collection, with Dr. Moore's donation comprising Series 1 and Mrs. Moore's donation comprising Series 2-7. Materials donated by Dwight Munson Moore in 1978 that were originally accessioned separately as MC 1217 were integrated into this collection as Series 8 in 2024.

Processing Information

Processed by Anthony J. Wappel, completed in December 1988. Updated by Katrina Windon in February 2024 to incorporate Series 8 materials into the collection.

Creator

Source

Title
Dwight Moore Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Anthony J. Wappel
Date
December 1988
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