Ray C. Friesner Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS037

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection comprises what seem to be early or rough drafts of Dr. Ray C. Friesner’s Flower Book. It most likely was part of a series of lab manuals created by Dr. Friesner and his wife Gladys Friesner, a microbiologist, for botany classes at Butler University. The materials document a wide variety of flowers and herb plants by name in alphabetical order. In addition, the collection includes a folder of correspondence to and from Dr. Friesner regarding a variety of topics, including administration of the Botany Department and Herbarium, samples for the Herbarium (of which Solidago figures prominently), and the Indiana Academy of Science.

Dates

Creation: 1923 - 1948

Creator

Friesner, Ray C. (Ray Clarence), 1894-1952 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Ray C. Friesner (1894-1952) is the namesake for the Friesner Herbarium at Butler University, which holds a collection of over 100,000 dried, pressed, and preserved plant specimens. After receiving degrees from Ohio Wesleyan University and the University of Michigan, he became an assistant professor of botany in the Biology Department at Butler University in 1919. He became the head of the newly created Botany Department in 1920 and in 1947 was appointed as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a position he held until his death in 1952. Dr. Friesner also served as secretary and later president of the Indiana Academy of Science.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains chapters of Ray C. Friesner’s comprehensive Flower Book, covering species A to Z in depth in terms of definitions and features as well as a folder of correspondence.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in one series.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Dumont Ranstead donated this collection to Butler University Libraries in 1967 (Accession Number 1967.001). In 2024 Butler professor Peggy Dolan donated a folder of correspondence to Butler University Libraries (Accession Number 2024.006).

Related Materials

Butler University Friesner Herbarium Digital Collection

Butler University Botanical Studies

MSS 021 Fay Kenoyer Daily Papers, 1933-1990, Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives, Irwin Library, Butler University.

MSS-SM 020 Notebook from Ray C. Friesner’s 1929 Plant Physiology Class, Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives, Irwin Library, Butler University.