Preliminary Guide to the R. James Cook Papers, 1964-2017

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Cook, R. James, 1937-
Title
Preliminary Guide to the R. James Cook Papers
Dates
1964-2017 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.91 Linear feet of shelf space, (3 Boxes)
Collection Number
MS.2020.15 (collection)
Summary
The R. James Cook Papers consist of the professional papers of R. James Cook, Professor Emeritus at Washington State University (WSU) and former researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) at WSU. The collection consists of materials related to Dr. Cook’s national leadership in agricultural research, reprints of talks and seminars, government reports, professional correspondence, reprints of historical interest by other researchers, and materials concerning improving the public’s understanding of biotechnology in research.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

R. James Cook was born in 1937 and grew up on a 400-acre farm in northwestern Minnesota. He attended North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University), studying agronomy and animal science. In 1960, he became the first student at North Dakota State University to obtain a plant pathology masters degree, and then attended the University of California, Berkeley for his doctorate. He spent four decades with WSU and the USDA-ARS and garnered a number of prestigious honors over the course of his career. In December 2018, Dr. Cook received WSU’s highest award, an honorary doctoral degree, in recognition of his service to the university and dedication to healthier plants and soil.

Source: “Roots of the Matter: R. James Cook and Soil Health”, Washington State University, accessed September 3, 2020

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The R. James Cook Papers consist of the professional papers of R. James Cook, Professor Emeritus at Washington State University (WSU) and former researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) at WSU. The collection consists of materials related to Dr. Cook’s national leadership in agricultural research, reprints of talks and seminars, government reports, professional correspondence, reprints of historical interest by other researchers, materials concerning Dr. Cook’s career, and materials concerning improving the public’s understanding of biotechnology in research. Topics of interest include wheat and barley root diseases, biological control of plant pathogens, and the 1988 first field release of a genetically engineered organism in the Pacific Northwest.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Preliminary Guide to the R. James Cook Papers, 1964-2017 (MS.2020.15)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This is an unprocessed collection. Any arrangement reflects either a pre-existing order from the records' creators or previous custodians, or preliminary sorting performed by staff.

Location of Collection

(MASC STAFF USE) 2-8-8-2

Acquisition Information

R. James Cook donated this collection to the Washington State University Libraries in 2020 (MS.2020.15).

Future Additions

The repository expects to receive additions to this collection.

Related Materials

James Cook Mt. St. Helens Research Project Papers, 1980-1984 (Cage 686)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box
1 Materials related to Dr. Cook’s national leadership role in agricultural research; “In the News and Op-Eds”; career materials, talks and seminars, regulatory oversight materials, reprints of historical interest, U.S. government reports.
2 Wheat life publications 1960s-2000s, professional correspondence 1980s-1990s.
3 Curriculum vitae, professional correspondence 1970s-1980s; materials related to Dr. Cook’s leadership in public understanding of biotechnology in research; materials related to the 1988 first field release of a genetically engineered organism in the Pacific Northwest.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Agricultural pests.
  • Crop science.
  • Plant diseases.
  • Soil science.

Personal Names

  • Cook, R. James, 1937- -- Archives.

Corporate Names

  • Washington State University -- Faculty -- Archives.