Dates
- 1920-1962
Scope and Content Note
The large majority of this collection relates to William H. Martin's professional rather than personal life and derives from creators and contributors other than Martin himself. In fact, only two files in the entire collection contain materials created by Martin (see Box 2, Folders 7 and 9). The bulk of this collection's records cover the years from 1945 to 1960.
The Photographic Files series has photographs numbering over 200 black-and-white images, including numerous portraits of Martin as well as many pictures taken at special events.
The Subject Files series contains printed matter often about Martin, press releases, newspaper clippings, typescript speeches and reports, correspondence, and ephemeral matter produced on special occasions.
Extent
0.825 Cubic Feet (2.5 manuscript boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains materials about William H. Martin, Dean of the College of Agriculture at Rutgers University from 1939 until his retirement in 1960. The bulk of this collection's records cover the years from 1945 to 1960. The materials include photographs, press releases, newspaper clippings, speeches, and ephemeral matter produced on special occasions. The collection is organized into two series: Series I, Photographic Files, and Series II, Subject Files.
Administrative History
The College of Agriculture became the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science in 1965, Cook College in 1973, and the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences in 2006.
Biographical Note
Dr. William H. Martin (b. 1890) served as Dean of the College of Agriculture at Rutgers University from 1939 until his retirement in 1960. However, his association with Rutgers well exceeded those twenty-one years. After receiving his B.A. from the University of Maine in 1915, Martin commenced graduate study at Rutgers, at the same time working at the New Jersey State Agricultural Experiment Station based at the university. In 1917, he received his M.S., and in 1918 his Ph.D., from Rutgers. When, in 1939, Martin became Dean of the College of Agriculture, he was also appointed Director of the New Jersey State Agricultural Experiment Station.
William H. Martin's early expertise focused on potatoes, leading him to become president of the Potato Association of America in 1922. Twenty-odd years later, during World War II, he played a role advising the U.S. War Production Board and doing research work for the U.S. Federal Security Agency.
Martin received many awards and honors throughout his career. He retired from Rutgers in 1960. On January 2, 1962, he died, survived by his second wife, Elsie Stark, and three siblings.
Arrangement Note
The William H. Martin Collection is arranged into two series.
- I. Photographic Files
- II. Subject Files
- Title
- Guide to the William H. Martin Collection, 1920-1962 R-MC 139
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- James Kessenides
- Date
- November 2012
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Part of the Rutgers University Archives Repository
Rutgers University Libraries
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