E. W. Pfeiffer Papers - Archives West

E. W. Pfeiffer Papers, 1937-2004

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Pfeiffer, E. W. (Egbert Wheeler), 1915-2004
Title: E. W. Pfeiffer Papers
Dates: 1937-2004 (inclusive)
19372004
Quantity: 2.0 linear feet
Collection Number: Mss 904
Summary: E. W. "Bert" Pfeiffer was a University of Montana professor of zoology and environmental studies from 1959-1987. He was an internationally recognized scientist known for his research on the effects of radioactive fallout from nuclear testing in the United States and the environmental impact of war in Vietnam and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. This collection contains subject files and correspondence documenting some of Pfeiffer's foreign and domestic research and activism.
Repository: University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions: Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.
Languages: English., French.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Egbert ‘Bert’ Wheeler Pfeiffer was born May 23, 1915, in New York City, New York. During World War II Pfeiffer joined the U.S. Marine Corps eventually achieving the rank of captain. Following the war, Pfeiffer earned an M.A. in wildlife biology from the University of British Columbia and a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of California Berkley. He married his wife Jean Sutherland in 1949.

Pfeiffer was a University of Montana professor of zoology and environmental studies from 1959-1987. He was an internationally recognized scientist known for his research on the effects of radioactive fallout from nuclear testing in the United States and the environmental impact of war in Vietnam and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Pfeiffer’s research on the use of chemical and biological weapons has been noted as influential to the passage of the nuclear test ban treaty in 1963. His activism earned him the contempt of the United States government during the Cold War. Pfeiffer passed away in 2004, at the age of 88.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains materials related to Dr. E. W. Pfeiffer's research in the United States and Indochina. The majority of the collection focuses on Vietnam and the impacts of chemical and biological weapons on the native people, plants, animals, and ecosystem. It also contains materials related to his research and investigation into U.S. Military involvement in Cambodia and his domestic research and activism surrounding the environmental and health concerns tied to nuclear weapons tests and the resulting radioactive fallout. The collection is mainly comprised of correspondence but also includes news clippings, reports, publications, photographs, notes, congressional hearings, press releases and other materials related to Pfeiffer's diverse body of work.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes.

Preferred Citation

E. W. Pfeiffer Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series

Series I: Correspondence, 1967-1998, 1.0 linear foot

Series II: Research and Activism, 1937-1990, 1.0 linear foot

Custodial History

The E. W. Pfeiffer Papers were donated to the University of Montana Archives and Special Collection by Bert Pfeiffer’s wife, Jean Pfeiffer.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to the University of Montana in 2009.

Processing Note

During processing, original order was maintained wherever possible. Folder titles that did not reflect the folder’s contents have been renamed. Loose materials were placed in folders and folder titles assigned based on content.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Correspondence, 1967-1998Return to Top

1.0 linear feet

Series I consists of general correspondence related to Pfeiffer’s foreign and domestic research and activism.

The series is organized alphabetically by last name of the correspondent and by year. Original order has been preserved.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/1	Correspondence	1967
1/2	F	1968
1/3	G	1968
1/4	H	1968
1/5	M	1968
1/6	N	1968
1/7	B	1969
1/8	C	1969
1/9	E	1969
1/10	F	1969
1/11	G	1969
1/12	H	1969
1/13	I	1969
1/14	K	1969
1/15	L	1969
1/16	M	1969
1/17	N	1969
1/18	O	1969
1/19	P	1969
1/20	R	1969
1/21	A	1970
1/22	B	1970
1/23	D	1970
1/24	E	1970
1/25	F	1970
1/26	G	1970
1/27	H	1970
1/28	I	1970
1/29	J	1970
1/30	K	1970
1/31	L	1970
1/32	M	1970
1/33	N	1970
1/34	O	1970
1/35	P	1970
1/36	R	1970
2/1	S	1970
2/2	T	1970
2/3	W	1970
2/4	Y	1970
2/5	Z	1970
2/6	A	1971
2/7	B	1971
2/8	C	1971
2/9	D	1971
2/10	E	1971
2/11	G	1971
2/12	H	1971
2/13	I	1971
2/14	J	1971
2/15	K	1971
2/16	L	1971
2/17	M	1971
2/18	N	1971
2/19	O	1971
2/20	P	1971
2/21	Q	1971
2/22	R	1971
3/1	S	1971
3/2	T	1971
3/3	U	1971
3/4	V	1971
3/5	W	1971
3/6	Y	1971
3/7	Z	1971
3/8	Correspondence	1974
3/9	Correspondence	1975
3/10	Correspondence	1980s
3/11	Correspondence	1990s
3/12	Correspondence	undated

Series II: Research and Activism, 1937-1990Return to Top

1.0 linear feet

Series II consists of materials arranged thematically. It contains information on various research projects, investigations, and trips Pfeiffer contributed to during his professional career.

Materials have been left in their original order, and as a result, the contents do not perfectly match the folder titles. Folders have been arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
3/13	American Association for the Advancement of Science	undated
3/14	Cambodia - Clippings	1985
3/15	Cambodia - Correspondence	1969-1983
3/16	Cambodia - Dak Dam	1970
3/17	Cambodia - Defoliation	1975-1978
3/18	Cambodia - Hout Sambath Xscript	undated
4/1	Cambodia - Misc. Reports and Clippings	1969-1970
4/2	Cambodia - U.S. Military Incidents	1968-1969
4/3	Chemical and biological Warfare - Clippings and Correspondence	1971 and 1995
4/4	Chemical and biological Warfare - Research and Investigations	1960s-1980s
4/5	Committee Hearing	1982
4/6	Correspondence with Senators Church and Mansfield	1975
4/7	Graduate Course Materials	1978
4/8	Hanoi Trip	1970
4/9	Herbicides	undated
4/10	Herbicides Research	1967-1973
4/11	Misc. - Publications, Clippings and Notes	1950s-1970s
4/12	Misc. - Publications, Clippings, Reports and Notes	1960s-1970s
5/1	North Dakota Fallout Documents	1950s-1970s
5/2	Paris Speech	1970
5/3	Paris Symposium	1970
5/4	Pfeiffer Personal	1937-1975
5/5	Photographs	undated
5/6	Report - Chlorodioxins in Fish from South Vietnam	1973
5/7	Society for Social Responsibility in Science	1968-1969
5/8	Tiger Materials	1970s-1980s
5/9	The United States and Biological Warfare	1957
5/10	Voices for Women Canada	1968-1969
5/11	Yellow Rain	1979-1984
5/12	Yellow Rain - Correspondence, Reports, Clippings and Notes	1980s-1990s

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Arms control
Biological warfare--Environmental aspects
Chemical warfare--Environmental aspects
Military weapons--Environmental aspects
Nuclear weapons--Environmental aspects
Nuclear weapons--Testing--Environmental aspects--United States
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Environmental aspects--Cambodia
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Environmental aspects--Vietnam
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Health aspects--Vietnam

Personal Names

Pfeiffer, E. W. (Egbert Wheeler)--Archives

Corporate Names

Montana State University (Missoula, Mont.)--Faculty
aUniversity of Montana (Missoula, Mont. : 1965-1994)--Faculty

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