Eldon John Gardner was born June 5, 1909, in Logan, Utah, the eldest child of John William and Cynthia Eveline Hill Gardner. He spent the first year of his life in Salt lake City, where his father was a graduate student at the University of Utah. From 1910-1913, the Gardner family resided in Palo Alto and Berkeley, California, where John Gardner studied law at Stanford and the University of California at Berkeley. In 1913, John Gardner accepted a teaching position at the Brigham Young College, and the Gardner family settled in Logan, Utah.
In 1929, Eldon Gardner left Logan to serve a mission in California for the L.D.S. church. Returning in 1931, he enrolled at Utah State University where he received both his bachelor of science (1934) and master of science (1935) degrees in zoology. In 1939 he received a doctorate in zoology from the University of California at Berkeley, where he became the first graduate student in America to study under the distinguished German geneticist, Dr. Richard Goldschmidt. While in Berkeley, Gardner became acquainted with fellow classmate, Helen Richards. Eldon and Helen were married in August of 1939 and had six children: Patricia, Donald, Betty, Cynthia, Alice, and Mary Jane.
From 1939-1946, Gardner taught biology at Salinas Junior College in California. During the summers, he was employed as assistant, and later associate geneticist, for the Guayule Rubber Plant Industry, an effort to produce a domestic rubber supply during World War Two.
Gardner returned to Utah in 1946 as assistant professor of biology at the University of Utah. There he began his research into the genetics of abnormal head growths in drosophila melanogaster, and became involved in breast cancer research at the Laboratory of Human Genetics. He was promoted to associate professor in 1947.
Gardner left the university in 1949 to accept an appointment as professor of zoology at Utah State University. After serving in that capacity for many years, he was appointed dean of the newly created College of Science in 1962. The same year, he was named program director of Utah State University's Genetics Training Program, funded by the National Institutes of Health. In 1967, Gardner was named dean of the college of graduate studies at Utah State University, and seven years later, upon his mandatory retirement at age 65, he was named professor of biology emeritus.
Dr. Gardner's academic activities extended beyond the classroom and the laboratory. His first textbook.
In addition to his work as an educator, Eldon Gardner was deeply involved in research. He began studying the genetics of cancer in humans in 1948 with a grant from the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. In 1958, as a result of this research, Dr. William G. Smith of the Mayo Clinic named the syndrome described in the Utah family under study the "Gardner Syndrome." Furthermore, Gardner is regarded as an authority in the study of the genetics and cytology of the tumerous head syndrome in drosophila melanogaster, and for his studies into the genetic basis of colorectal cancer in Utah families.
Dr. Gardner's interests and activities were restricted to the field of genetics. He joined the Boy Scouts of America as a child, eventually gaining the rank of senior scout. As an adult, he served as a member of the Logan City School Board (1962-1963), the Logan chapter of the Rotary Club, and as a director of the Cache County Chamber of Commerce (1972-1975).
Always active in religious affairs, Gardner served in numerous positions of leadership in the L.D.S. church. Sunday school superintendent and stake board member, branch president, high council member, high priest group leader, and bishop are among the many offices he has held. Well known for his involvement in the controversy between the theory of evolution and the biblical account of creation, Gardner wrote many articles and became a popular speaker on the subject at religious gatherings. In 1960 he published
The Eldon J. Gardner papers (1936-1986) contain the personal and professional papers of Eldon John Gardner. The collection has been organized into nine sections. The first of these sections contains items of a personal nature. Biographical and autobiographical writings located in box one provide detailed information regarding Gardner and his family. Other materials include personal correspondence, information on prizes and awards Gardner received, and materials related to Gardner's education. The correspondence section of the collection consists of general correspondence beginning in 1949 and continuing through 1986. The majority of letters in this section are between Gardner and his colleagues regarding their professional activities. Boxes ten through twelve comprise the third section of the Gardner collection, and contain materials that pertain to the many conferences, seminars, and symposiums Gardner participated in throughout his career. Materials range from schedules, lecture notes, and programs, to correspondence regarding arrangements for the various gatherings. As evidenced by materials in the fourth section of this collection, Gardner was affiliated with numerous professional organizations throughout his career. His participation is reflected in the form of membership directories, correspondence, annual reports, and newsletters. A gifted instructor, Gardner taught classes at Salinas College in California, the University of Utah, and Utah State University. Boxes 14 through 17 contain instructional materials Gardner used in his classes including lecture notes, references, and examinations. The sixth section of the collection consists of articles and addresses Gardner published and presented over the years. The dominant topics of his articles and addresses are cancer and genetics. The seventh section of the collection contains research articles published in numerous professional journals, and research and training proposals made to various government agencies and research institutions. Box 23 contains material relating to Gardner's study of Utah colorectal cancer families, and materials in box 24 reflect his research on tumerous head disease. The final box in this section, box 25, consists of contracts, subcontracts, and other miscellaneous items. An avid writer, Gardner published several books in areas of scientific inquiry including zoology, genetics, biology, human heredity, and evolution. The eighth and largest section of the collection contains chapter drafts, galley proofs, advertising materials, notes and outlines, and reviews pertaining to Gardner's books. Additionally, boxes 41 through 43 contain correspondence between Gardner, his co-authors, and publishers regarding the preparation and publications of his books. The final section of the Eldon J. Gardner collection encompasses a wide variety of materials and has therefore been labeled miscellaneous. Included in this section are materials reflecting Gardner's travel for personal and professional purposes, miscellaneous financial records from Utah State University, term papers from Garnder's zoology students, and subject files containing information on individuals Gardner was acquainted with and subjects he had an interest in. Also included are materials pertaining to the conflict between the theory of evolution and the biblical account of creation. Gardner wrote several articles on the subject, and collected articles written by others. These are located in box 44, along with additional materials on the evolution versus creation controversy.
In 1987, the medical research records that accompanied the collection were transferred to the Howard Hughes Institute at the University of Utah Medical Center.
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Two original letters have been removed and placed in Reserve. Photocopied versions are available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the originals must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used.
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Processed by Suzanne M. Stauffer and Allesen Peck in 1988.
Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0267).
Boxes one and two contain the personal materials of Eldon J. Gardner. Some of the specific materials in the series include biographical and autobiographical accounts of Gardner's life, general information regarding Gardner family members, personal correspondence, and materials pertaining to Gardner's education.
History of the Cache Valley written by Eldon J. Gardner.
Newspaper clippings and invitation to her 100th birthday celebration.
A brief biography written by Eldon J. and Alice Gardner.
Biographies.
Typescript of the day journal Gardner kept while serving a mission for the L.D.S. church in New Zealand (1901-1904), and a brief biography written by Eldon J. and Alice Gardner.
Term paper Gardner wrote for a cytology class.
Commencement program and newsclippings.
Description, regulations, and administration of the fellowships.
Correspondence in this section has been arranged chronologically in boxes three through nine of the Gardner collection. Beginning in 1949 and ending in 1986, the correspondence pertains primarily to Gardner's professional activities.
One original letter has been removed from folder 10 and placed in Reserve. A photocopied version is available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the original must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item if being used.
The materials in this section reflect Gardner's participation in numerous academic gatherings. Materials range from correspondence regarding conference arrangements, to programs, schedules, and lecture notes.
Gardner was a member of numerous local and national organizations. Materials in this section consist of annual reports, newsletters, membership cards, correspondence, membership directories, and information on programs sponsored by the various groups.
Materials from the 49th and 64th annual meetings.
Miscellaneous material.
Membership card.
Miscellaneous material.
List of officers and board of directors.
Miscellaneous material.
Miscellaneous material.
Typescript of program presented at the April 1977 meeting.
Membership card and information bulletin.
Bylaws of the Utah State University chapter and membership cards.
Schedule of December 1979 meeting.
Minutes, agendas, and correspondence.
Miscellaneous material.
Miscellaneous material.
Membership list.
Documents relating to the creation of the organization.
Miscellaneous material.
Materials in this section relate to courses Gardner taught at Salinas College, the University of Utah, and Utah State University. Included are lecture notes, references, examinations, and miscellaneous material.
Lecture notes, reading lists, supplementary material, and examinations.
Lecture notes and examinations.
Lecture notes.
Lecture notes.
Lecture notes.
Lecture notes and examinations.
Composition book with notes.
Composition book with notes on biometrical genetics.
Composition book with course notes.
Lecture outline, notes, and references.
Lecture notes.
Lecture notes and miscellaneous material.
Lecture notes.
Gardner spoke frequently at religious, civic, and scientific gatherings, and authored many articles that were published in numerous magazines. Box eighteen contains articles and addresses Gardner prepared from 1939-1985.
The material in this section is related directly to the research Gardner was involved in throughout his academic career. Boxes 19 and 20 contain copies of research articles published by Gardner and his colleagues, while boxes 21 and 22 contain materials pertaining to research and training proposals. Boxes 23 and 24 contain materials relating to the study of Utah colorectal cancer families and tumerous head, two areas of research for which Gardner received much recognition. The final box in this section, box 25, consists of miscellaneous research materials including subcontracts and final reports.
Bound collection of research articles.
Bound collection of research articles.
This section is comprised of materials relating to the numerous books Gardner authored. Contracts, correspondence with publishers and co-authors, galley proofs, publicity materials, and rough-draft manuscripts are among the materials in this section.
Rough drafts.
Rough drafts and notes.
Rough drafts and notes.
Rough drafts and notes.
Notes.
Miscellanous material.
Instructor's manual, reviews, revisions, and a student manual.
Proposed revisions, rough draft, instructor's manual, author's questionnaire, reviews, and a copy of the textbook in Arabic.
Rough drafts, final draft, reviews, press releases, advertising materials, and a copy of the textbook.
Title page, table of contents, preface, and notes on reviewers' comments.
Rough draft of chapter sixteen.
Chapter rough drafts, list of illustrations, table of contents, and preface.
Evaluations, comments, reviews, revisions, author's questionnaire, sample pages, publicity materials, and a list of illustrations.
Summary of copyright permissions requested and received.
Rough drafts.
Correspondence with publishers and co-authors regarding the preparation and publication of text books.
Correspondence with publishers and co-authors regarding the preparation and publication of text books.
Correspondence with publishers and co-authors regarding the preparation and publication of text books.
This section of the collection consists of miscellaneous materials. Box 44 is comprised of materials pertaining to the apparent conflict between science and religion, and box 45 contains materials reflecting Gardner's travels for both personal and professional purposes. Boxes 46 through 47 contain Gardner's administrative financial records from Utah State University, such as account summary sheets for research grants, invoices and statements for laboratory supplies, budget reviews and other miscellaneous materials. The final two boxes of the collection are subject files containing for the most part, a wide variety of information pertaining to individuals and subjects of interest to Gardner.
An autobiographical account of Gardner's experiences in teaching evolution in the classroom.
Material in this box reflects Gardner's travel for both personal and professional reasons. Included are airline tickets, receipts, hotel bills, notes on trips, and other miscellaneous materials.
Citation read upon presenting Arrington the first Charles Redd Award and notes from an address Arrington gave July 1982.
Biographical notes.
Introductory notes.
Biographical notes.
Miscellaneous notes.
Introductory notes.
Eulogy.
Biographical notes.
Biographical sketch by Eldon J. Gardner
Biographical notes.
Biographical notes.
Biographical notes.
An article published in the
Notes from a June 1980 lecture.
Biographical notes.
Autobiography.
Biographical notes.
Notes from a November 1981 address.
Biographical notes.
Notes from a June 1961 lecture on evolution.