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Elon Eugene Byrd collection

Elon Eugene Byrd collection

Descriptive Summary

Title: Elon Eugene Byrd collection
Creator: Byrd, Elon Eugene, 1905-1974
Inclusive Dates: 1929-1966
Language(s): English
Extent: 2.7 Linear Feet 1 document box, 1 half box, 2 cartons, 1 oversized folder
Collection Number: ms2834
Repository: Hargrett Library
Abstract: The collection consists of materials belonging to Dr. Elon Eugene Byrd of the Parasitology Department at the University of Georgia. These materials were generated as a result of his research in Samoa during World War II and reflect his involvement in malaria research and his discovery of a new species of flukes. Also included in the collection is Byrd's diary of some of his activities, as well as correspondence, writings, lantern slides, film, plate blocks, Dr. Byrd's diplomas and theses, and a journal of bird studies.

Collection Description

Historical Note

Dr. Elon E. Byrd served as Professor of Zoology at the University of Georgia in Athens, where he taught and did parasitological research for over forty years. Byrd was born in Richton, Mississippi, on 9 June 1905, where he received his early education. He received the Bachelor of Science degree in 1929 and a Master of Science degree in 1931, both from Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College where he served as Instructor of Zoology until 1932. He graduated from Tulane University in 1934 with his Doctorate and immediately came to the University of Georgia as an Assistant Professor, eventually advancing to the rank of Professor.

During World War II Dr. Byrd served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, where he was especially involved in malaria research and discovered a new species of flukes. After the war Byrd continued his work at the University of Georgia, retiring in 1972 as Professor Emeritus of Zoology.

Dr. Byrd, in association with colleagues and students, published approximately 100 papers, most of them on the taxonomy and life cycles of helminths. He remained active in helminthological research after his retirement, for he was working on several papers at the time of his death on 3 March 1974.

"In memoriam, Elon Eugene Byrd, 9 June 1905-3 March 1974." The Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 61, No. 2, April 1975.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Elon Eugene Byrd collection, ms2834, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Birds -- Research.
Byrd, Elon Eugene, 1905-1974
Byrd, Elon Eugene, 1905-1974 -- Diaries
Diaries.
Diplomas.
Film (material)
Journals (accounts)
Lantern slides.
Malaria -- Research.
Plate number blocks.
Trematoda.
University of Georgia -- Faculty
World War, 1939-1945 -- Naval operations, American.
Writings (document genre)

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Filarial Research and Studies

Series 1. Filarial Research and Studies is comprised of Byrd's research notes, data, diagrams, and many negatives, photographs, and printing blocks regarding parasitic worms, primarily in Samoa.
cartonfolder
11Negatives
12Negatives and photographs
13Negatives and photographs
14Photographs
15-21Microscope diagrams
122Diary from research in Samoan islands, March 1943-January 1944
123Data for filarial research
124Transmission of filariasis and filarial observations
125Maps of Samoan area where research was conducted
126Sanitary report for Public Health Department of American Samoa, 1943
127Studies on filariasis in the Samoan area - complete study
cartonitem
21



23 plate blocks (filarials)

22



20 rolls of film

23



50 glass slides

 

2. Correspondence

Series 2: Correspondence is mainly comprised of incoming and outgoing letters that document Byrd's Navy career during World War II, including both administrative letters and those that document his work documenting filariasis as a member of the Malaria Control Board. Other correspondence is mainly outgoing, including some manuscript plates, and documents Byrd's efforts to get his work published in various scientific journals.
cartonfolder
128U.S. Navy, 1942-1945
129U.S. Navy, 1943-1944
130Publication in American Microscopal Society, 1949-1950
131Publication with Catholic University of America and the Heminthological Society of Washington, 1949
132Publication in Journal of Parasitology , 1949
133Publication in Journal of Parasitology , 1952-1955
134Publication in Georgia Review, 1943
 

3. Student Work

Series 3. Student Work contains materials from Byrd's Masters and Doctoral studies, including diplomas, thesis and dissertation, grades, and conference materials.
boxfolder
11Master of Science diploma from Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, 1931
12Doctorate diploma from Tulane University, 1934
13Master's Thesis: "Some Amphibians and Reptiles of Mississippi", 1931 June
14Dissertation: "Life History Studies on Reniferinae (Trematode Digenea) Parasitic in Reptilia of the New Orleans Area"
15Grade report, 1932
16Programs from meetings of the Southeastern Biologists' Association, 1937-1958
17Certificate of Enlistment in the U.S. Army, 1932 June
 

4. Research and Studies

Series 4. Miscellaneous Research and Studies contains primarily bird and trematode research and studies from various points in his career.
boxfolder
21Bird study done while getting Master of Science , 1930 May
22Bilharziella little bi study and diagrams, 1956
23Trematode research and data
24Trematode study and diagrams
25Data for unknown study
26Wildlife as Sentinels for Venezualan Equine Encephalomyelitis (study by Bigler and McLean)
21Bats, birds, and racoons book of accounts
 

5. Oversized items

oversized_folder
1B15th Annual Naval Reserve Research Seminar Photograph and name listing
1B12th Annual Naval Reserve Research Seminar Photograph and name listing
1BBase Malaria Control Coverage Area Map of Espiritu Santo Island
1B5th Construction Detatchment Camp at AUA map (and copy)
1BPago Valley Area Maps
1BMaps