The Life and Letters of Finlay Simmons, 1895-1955

The Life and Letters of Finlay Simmons, 1895-1955, 2005

Overview of the Collection

Title: The Life and Letters of Finlay Simmons, 1895-1955
Dates: 2005 (bulk)
20052005
Quantity: 0.75 linear feet
Collection Number: Mss 705
Summary: This collection consists of a partial manuscript of copied letters, journals, maps, articles and photos that begin in 1923 with George Finlay Simmons' Blossom South Atlantic Expedition and continue through his work at Western Reserve University and the beginning of his career at Montana State University (now The University of Montana-Missoula) in Missoula, Montana. The material was organized with brief explanatory notes by Simmons' son of the same name.
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

Historical NoteReturn to Top

George Finlay Simmons was born in 1895. His education included a B.A., University of Texas, 1921; an M.A., University of Texas, 1922; and a Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1934. He married Armede Hatcher and by 1930 they had two sons, George and Bob.

After receiving his doctorate, Simmons became a professor of zoology at the University of Chicago. In 1924 he published Birds of the Austin Region. He led the Blossom South Atlantic Expedition in association with the Cleveland Museum in 1925 and was a lecturer in the field of biological sciences at Western Reserve University. In 1934, Sisson moved to the University of Montana in Missoula as the Assistant Professor of Zoology. The Board of Education appointed him University President in 1936. During the Simmons administration several buildings on the UM campus were either erected or renovated. Simmons restructured the academic curricula to improve the quality of education and reduce expenses. Simmons retired from the presidency in 1941 and returned to his passionate studies in zoology. He died in 1955 after publishing several more books and articles regarding his biological discoveries.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of 13 spiral bound notebooks making up a partial copy (volumes 4-18) of George F. Simmon's manuscript about his father entitled "The Life and Letters of Finlay Simmons, 1895-1955." The copied materials were organized with brief explanatory notes by the author. The manuscript begins in 1923 with copies of journals, letters, maps, and articles related to Simmons' 2 1/2 year Blossom South Atlantic Expedition. The notebooks continue with extensive correspondence, photos and other records of his relationship with his family, professional contacts, experience in graduate school, and first term, 1934-1935, as a professor of zoology at Montana State University (now The University of Montana-Missoula). Simmons' correspondence with his wife, Armede Hatcher Simmons, is particularly substantial through the graduate school years (1931-1934) as she remained in Cleveland with their children while he was in Chicago.

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

"The Life and Letters of Finlay Simmons, 1895-1955", Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated by the author, George F. Simmons, in 2008

Bibliography

A biographical article about George Finlay Simmons entitled "Ornithologist, Expedition Leader, Museum Curator and Educator" by Stanley D. Castro was published in the December 2018 Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society vol. 51, no 1-2.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/1	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 4a	1923-1924
1/2	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 4b	1923-1924
1/3	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Parts 5,6,7	1924-1925
1/4	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Parts 8 and 9	1925
1/5	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Parts 10 and 11	1925
1/6	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 12	1925
1/7	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 13a	1926-1931
2/1	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 13b	1926-1931
2/2	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 14	1931
2/3	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 15	1931-1932
2/4	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 16	1932
2/5	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 17	1932
2/6	"The Life and Letters of Finley Simmons," Part 18	1932-1935

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Natural history--South Atlantic Ocean Region
Scientific expeditions--South Atlantic Ocean Region
Zoologists--South Atlantic Ocean Region
Zoology teachers--Montana--Missoula
Zoology--Study and teaching--Montana--Missoula.

Personal Names

Simmons, Armede Hatcher--Correspondence
Simmons, George Finlay, 1895-1955

Corporate Names

Montana State University (Missoula)--Faculty
Montana State University (Missoula)--Presidents
University of Chicago--Graduate students--Correspondence.
University of Chicago--Graduate students--Family relationships

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