Greenwood Library Archives and Special Collections
Janet D. Greenwood Library401 Redford Street
Farmville, VA 23909
Business Number: 434-395-2433
ask@longwood.libanswers.com
URL: https://libguides.longwood.edu/home/asc
Benedict Chatelain
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
There are restrictions to access or use for resesarch purposes.
Custodial History
These materials were a part of the unprocessed collection of materials housed in the Lancaster Library and moved to the Greenwood Library which opened in 1991. There is no written record related to the acquisition of the materials in this collection.
Biographical / Historical
Edith Stevens (1897-1945) grew up in West Virginia where she earned her Bachelor's Degree from Fairmont State College. In 1924, she earned an A.M. degree in biology from the University of West Virginia. After teaching school in her home state of West Virginia for several years, she went on to earn her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1928. After earning her doctorate, she began teaching biology at the State Teachers College in Farmville in 1928. In 1945, during the last day of summer school classes, Dr. Stevens was seriously burned as a result of a laboratory explosion. She never recovered and died in the fall of 1945 due to complications resulting from her burns. Stevens, who never married, devoted her life to teaching. According to one of her colleagues, Dr. George Jeffers, teaching and biology were her avocation as well as vocation.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of Edith Stevens' manuscripts and a fifth box filled with index cards containing bibliographic references. Boxes 1 and 2 contain manuscripts that were created in the traditional style and format with the text in typescript on letter-size paper. Boxes 3 and 4 contain sets of intricate ink drawings with handwritten annotations on sheets of paper sized 4.2" x 5.5". The manuscripts all relate to the study and teaching of plant sciences. Each of Dr. Stevens' drawings and annotations are neat, detailed, and precise.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Biology Study and teaching (Higher)
- Botanical illustrations
- Botany
- Plant anatomy
Container List
- Text [1000433791] box: 01 of 05
"Botany 23: Systematic Botany to Ascomycetes"0.9 Linear Feet 1 flat boxGeneral
This manuscript contains detailed pencil and ink drawings originally housed in a spiral notebook.
- Text [1000433792] box: 02 of 05
"Zoology 23: Anatomy"3 FolderGeneral
This manuscript of detailed ink drawing consists of 43 leaves. The item was originally housed in a notebook with a cover that reads "Department of Biology, State Techers College, Farmville, Virginia. "Edith Stevens and Zoology 23 – Anatomy" are written under the printed heading. Most pages are stamped with the date April 5, 1924.
- Text [1000433792] box: 02 of 05
"Lab Outline for Bacteriology"3 FolderGeneral
Written for the Department of Biology at the Farmville State Teachers College. This manuscript is in typescript. It was originally contained in a hole-punched report cover and is now contained in 3 folders.
- Text [1000433792] box: 02 of 05
"Cytological Features of the Life History of Gymnosproangium Juniperi-Virginianae."1 FolderGeneral
Three copies of this 12 page reprint are housed in one folder. The following is printed on the cover page – "Reprinted for private circulation from The Botanical Gazette, Vol. LXXXIX, No. 4, June 1930." A noted on the item reads, "Contributions from the Hull Botanical Laboratory 404."
- Text [1000433793] box: 03 of 05
"Plant Cytology"1 VolumesGeneral
This collection of detailed ink drawings consists of approximately 150 leaves and measures 13 cm. x 20 cm. The leaves are held together at the top margin by yarn. Drawings are accompanied by brief annotations. Author and title information are written on the first page which serves as the cover page.
- Text [1000433793] box: 03 of 05
"Mosses"1 VolumesGeneral
This collection of detailed ink drawings of mosses includes approximately 55 leaves. The drawing are accompanied by brief annotations. The leaves are held together at the top margin by yarn. The drawings are accompanied by 4 leaves of handwritten text. Dimensions are 13 cm. x 20 cm. Author and title information are written on the first page which serves and the cover page.
- Text [1000433793] box: 03 of 05
"Fungus Diseases"1 VolumesGeneral
This collection of detailed ink drawings consists of approximately 200 leaves. Drawings are annotated. Dimensions are 13 cm. x 20 cm. The leaves are held together at the top margin by yarn. Author and title information are written on the first page which serves as the cover page.
- Text [1000433794] box: 04 of 05
"Systematic Botany"1 FolderGeneral
This collection of detailed ink drawings consists of approximately 150 leaves. Drawings are annotated. Dimensions are 13 cm. x 20 cm. The leaves are held together at the top margin by yarn. Author and title information are written on the first page which serves as the cover page.
- Text [1000433794] box: 04 of 05
"Plant Anatomy or Ecology – Drawings – University of Chicago"1 VolumesGeneral
This collection of detailed ink drawings consists of approximately 45 pages. The drawings are annotated. Dimensions are 13 cm. x 20 cm. Author and title information are written on the first pages which serves as the cover page.
- Text [1000433794] box: 04 of 05
"1. Major, Edith Stevens."1 VolumesGeneral
The front cover is bare except for a brief annotation in the lower right which reads, "1. Major, Edith Stevens." The collection contains detailed ink drawings with brief annotations. The item consists of approximately 50 pages and is bound at the top with yarn. The dimensions are 13 cm. x 20 cm.
- Text [1000433794] box: 04 of 05
"Sketches of Miscellaneous Forms Found in the Vicinity of Farmville, VA"1 VolumesGeneral
This collection of detailed pencil and ink drawings with annotations are on card stock. Dimensions are 13 cm. x 20 cm. Author and title information are written on the first card.