Cleland mss., 1911-1946

Papers of Various at the Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

Finding aid created by Kristina Krasny

Title: Cleland mss.
Collection No.: LMC 1197
Dates: 1911-1946
Quantity:

Quantity: 2 Boxes

Quantity: 2 standard

Abstract: The Cleland mss., 1911-1946, consists of the papers of botanist Ralph Erskine Cleland, 1892-1971. They consist chiefly of correspondence with prominent scientists on Oenothera, evening primrose.
Location: Lilly - Stacks
Language: Materials are in English .
Repository: Lilly Library
1200 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500
Business Number: 812-855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu
URL: https://libraries.indiana.edu/lilly-library

Biographical Note

In the summer of 1918, Cleland assisted Bradley Moore Davis in research on Oenothera by investigating the behavior of the chromosomes which resulted in a startling discovery. Some of the chromosomes in the Oenothera behaved in the normal manner while others regularly arranged themselves end to end in a circle, adjacent chromosomes going into different reproductive cells. Although such chromosomal behavior had been sporadically noted no one had recognized that it occurred regularly for some chromosomes of some organisms. Cleland felt that his discovery might be the clue to understanding the already known erratic pattern of heredity in Oenothera and thereby converting one of the apparent discrepancies with the chromosome theory into one of its strongest supports. Furthermore, his discovery might explain the sudden large hereditary variations which occurred in Oenothera and had been the main basis of the theory of mutation proposed in 1901 by the Dutch botanist Hugo de Vries as an alternative to Darwin's theory of evolution. Cleland demonstrated the causes and the effects of the circles of chromosomes on patterns of heredity and on the origin of large hereditary variations. He used what he had discovered to reconstruct the evolutionary history of Oenothera. A comprehensive study of Oenotheras of North America and to a lesser degree of Central and South America culminated in his history of Oenothera. Shortly before his death the manuscript entitled Oenothera, Cytogenetics and Evolution was sent to the publisher.

Scope and Content Note

The bulk of the correspondence in this collection deals with research on Oenothera; some letters, however, relate to the persecution of Jews in Germany in 1938; the Paraguayan War, 1865-1870; the botany departments at the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota; economic conditions in the United States, 1934; discrimination against women; scientific research during World War II; roses; rubber plants; and bougainvillea.

Note on Indexing Term - "Indiana University": Ralph Erskine Cleland was a professor of botany.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged following original order.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

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Indexed Terms

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Item], Cleland mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Acquisition Information

Gift: 1971

Collection Inventory

box 1
1911-1934
box 2
1935-1946