Lester D. Stephens papers
Collection DescriptionBiographical/Historical noteBorn on February 18, 1933, in Gatesville, Texas, Lester D. Stephens completed high school in Bay City, Texas, in 1950. He attended Wharton County Junior College, in Wharton, Texas, from1950 to 1952, and the University of Corpus Christi (later, Texas A & M University at Corpus Christi) from 1952 to 1954, receiving his B.S. degree in 1954. He taught in a secondary school in Corpus Christ until 1957, when he became the registrar and assistant professor of history at the University of Corpus Christi, a position he held until 1961. He received his master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1959, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Miami in 1963. He joined the faculty of the University of Georgia in September 1963, and soon developed an interest in the work of 19th century Natural Scientists in the American South especially Joseph Le Conte and his family. A well respected teacher and researcher, Dr. Stephens was the recipient of nine awards for excellence in the teaching of history and served as the chairman of the University of Georgia Department of History from 1980 until 1990. Upon his retirement, in 1998, he was named Professor Emeritus of History. Dr. Stephens is a dedicated researcher and prolific author who has presented papers at numerous historical conferences and scientific meetings and published more than one-hundred journal articles, scholarly encyclopedia entries, reviews of books, and other works. His books include Joseph Le Conte: Gentle Prophet of Evolution; Science, Race and Religion in the American South: John Bachman and the Charleston Circle of Naturalists, 1815-1895; and Seafaring Scientist: Alfred Goldborough Mayor, Pioneer in Marine Biology. In 1994, Dr. Stephens was awarded a University of Georgia Fellowship for Study in a Second Discipline. Through this fellowship, he was able to spend a year studying sea creatures, such as coral and jellyfish, with specialists in the field of marine invertebrates. From 1999 to 2005, he was an Associate of the Georgia Museum of Natural History. He received the distinguished alumni award from Wharton County Junior College in 2002. Scope and ContentThis collection includes both the professional and personal correspondence of University of Georgia History professor, Dr. Lester D. Stephens. Also, found in the collection are original manscripts, articles and notes related to Dr. Stephens' research into Joseph Le Conte's work and family. The original documents in the collection date from about 1960 to 2014. There are also photocopies of articles, correspondence, etc. dating back to the mid 19th century. Organization and ArrangementOrganized into three series: personal correspondence, professional correspondence, and Le Conte family research. Administrative InformationPreferred CitationLester D. Stephens papers, UA0001, University Archives, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries. General NotesRG 2-10-14 Related Materials and SubjectsSubject Terms |
Special Collections Libraries
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1641