Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu

Finding aid encoded by Donna McCrea 2014 Finding aid written in English. University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections

The University of Montana—Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu

Mss 242 Bessey, Otto A. (Otto Arthur), 1904-1984 Otto A. Bessey papers 1928-1985 7.0 linear feet This collection contains correspondence, diplomas, and other personal materials of Otto A. Bessey, an administrator and scientist specializing in nutrition, toxicology, and biochemistry. Bessey (1904-1996) was considered a founding member of the scientific staff of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Materials are inEnglish Biographical Note

Otto Arthur Bessey was born in Niotaze, Kansas on October 7, 1904; the oldest of Arthur and Belle Bessey's three children. The Bessey family moved from Kansas to Kalispell, Montana in the 1910s.

Otto Bessey graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in chemistry in 1928. He married Kathryn L. Munro on September 10, 1929 in Kalispell, Montana (the marriage would end in divorce). They would have two sons, Otto Alonzo and Roger. Bessey received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Pittsburg in 1932. Bessey became a skilled administrator and scientist specializing in nutrition, toxicology, and biochemistry He held research and teaching positions at Columbia University, Harvard Medical School, University of Illinois, the University of Texas Medical School, and the Public Health Research Institute of the City of New York. He also held prominent positions with the Environmental Protection Division at the U.S. Army Natick Laboratory, the Public Health Service, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). While at the NIEHS, he was responsible for the dissemination of monies for research and training; Bessey was considered a founding member of the organization's scientific staff. Dr. Bessey retired in 1974.

Otto Bessey passed away on February 6, 1984 in Kensington, Maryland from a stroke. His second wife, Alice Louise Riedinger, passed away on December 15, 1996.

The collection contains Otto Bessey's correspondence, diplomas, and other personal materials. There are items relating to his career including official reports from organizations he worked for, classroom lectures, professional correspondence, certificates, and research materials. Also included are drafts and notes for articles and speeches by Bessey on various topics. The collection also contains photographs and several artifacts including an award for service from the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

This collection has been organized into nine series:

Series I: Correspondence, 1934-1984, 2.0 linear feet

Series II: Personal, 1924-1985, 1.1 linear feet

Series III: Reports, 1941-1951, 0.1 linear feet

Series IV: Research, 1938-1976, 2.4 linear feet

Series V: Writings, 1933-1976, 0.4 linear feet

Series VI: Teaching, 1940-1977, 0.4 linear feet

Series VII: Clippings, 1933-1979, 0.1 linear feet

Series VIII: Photographs, 1932-1977, 0.1 linear feet

Series IX: Memorabilia, 1955-1975, 0.4 linear feet

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.

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

[Name of document or photograph number], Otto A. Bessey Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

The collection was in possession of the creator until his death in 1984 and passed to his family until its donation to Archives and Special Collections in 1997.

No additions to this collection are expected.

This collection was partially processed in 1997. The most recent processor imposed order and created series; series were arranged alphabetically by folder title or chronologically. In 2024, the two thermometers from series VIII were removed due to environmental reasons.

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Bessey, Otto A. (Otto Arthur), 1904-1984--Archives National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Biochemistry--Study and teaching Environmental health Nutrition Public health Medicine and Health Science Scientists--United States Series I Correspondence 1934-1984 2.0 linear feet

This series includes correspondence between Otto Bessey and different individuals and organizations, organized alphabetically by folder title.

1/1 American Association of Clinical Chemists 1949-1951 1/2 American Association of University Professors 1952-1955 1/3 American Board of Clinical Chemistry, Otto Gaebler 1949-1952 1/4 American Board of Clinical Chemistry, Otto Gaebler 1953 1/5 American Board of Clinical Chemistry, Otto Gaebler 1954 1/6 American Board of Clinical Chemistry, Otto Gaebler 1955 1/7 American Board of Clinical Chemistry, Joseph Harrison 1949-1983 1/8 American Board of Clinical Chemistry, W. M. Sperry 1949-1952 1/9 American Board of Clinical Chemistry 1950-1954 1/10 American Board of Clinical Chemistry, Publicity 1949-1955 1/11 American Board of Nutrition 1961-1976 1/12 American Chemical Society 1949-1954 1/13 American Chemical Society 1961 1/14 American Chemical Society, Eli Lily Award 1955-1956 1/15 American Institute of Nutrition,Osborne and Mendel Award 1953-1956 2/1 American Institute of Nutrition, Mead Johnson Award 1950-1960 2/2 American Institute of Nutrition, Mead Johnson Award 1980 2/3 Analytical Biochemistry 1978-1979 2/4 "A" Miscellaneous 1974-1981 2/5 Otto Alonzo Bessey 1953-1959 2/6 Roger Bessey 1953-1962 2/7 Sara R. Bock 1948 2/8 "B" Miscellaneous 1949-1976 2/9 Children's Hospital, B6 Deficiency 1958 2/10 Columbia University 1944-1974 2/11 "C" Miscellaneous 1957-1980 2/12 Department of Environmental Health 1974-1975 2/13 E. Ralph Dusek 1981-1982 2/14 "D" Miscellaneous 1978 2/15 Environmental Protection Agency 1960-1961 2/16 "E" Miscellaneous 1950-1962 2/17 "F" Miscellaneous 1940, 1974 2/18 Greylock Center 1976-1980 2/19 "G" Miscellaneous 1970 2/20 Harvard University 1934-1976 2/21 "H" Miscellaneous 1961-1974 2/22 International Commission on Nomenclature 1950-1952 2/23 International Nutrition Conference 1960-1962 2/24 "I" Miscellaneous 1961-1983 2/25 John B. Pierce Foundation 1974-1983 2/26 "J" Miscellaneous 1950-1980 2/27 "K" Miscellaneous 1974-1980 2/28 "L" Miscellaneous 1957-1983 2/29 Mount Sinai School of Medicine 1974-1977 3/1 "M" Miscellaneous 1956-1974 3/2 National Board of Medical Examiners 1948-1949 3/3 National Cancer Institute, Cancer Symposium 1948-1949 3/4 National Vitamin Foundation, Scientific Advisory Committee 1946 3/5 National Vitamin Foundation, Symposium on Nutrition 1949 3/6 New York University Medical Center 1945-1976 3/7 Nutrition Foundation, Nutritional Surveys 1946-1954 3/8 "N" Miscellaneous 1946-1980 3/9 Obituary and Sympathy re: Otto Bessey 1984 3/10 "O" Miscellaneous 1947-1975 3/11 Public Health Institute 1942-1946 3/12 "P" Miscellaneous 1974-1980 3/13 "R" Miscellaneous 1974-1978 3/14 "S" Miscellaneous 1957-1974 3/15 M. Tishler 1949-1956 3/16 "T" Miscellaneous 1974-1975 3/17 University of Illinois 1947-1949 3/18 University of Illinois 1950-1952 3/19 University of Montana 1953-1956 4/1 University of Montana 1959-1976 4/2 University of Southern California, School of Medicine 1983 4/3 University of Texas 1951-1958 4/4 University of Texas 1934-1956 4/5 University of Texas 1948-1977 4/6 United States Departments 1952-1983 4/7 "U" Miscellaneous 1956-1981 4/8 Visitors 1943-1951 4/9 "V" Miscellaneous 1956-1974 4/10 S. B. Wolbach 1942-1944 4/11 S. B. Wolbach 1945-1952 4/12 S. B. Wolbach 1953-1956 4/13 "W" Miscellaneous 1956-1975 4/14 "Y" Miscellaneous 1950-1978 4/15 Unidentified 1955-1980 Series II Personal 1924-1985 2.0 linear feet

This series includes items related to Otto Bessey's personal life and education, it is organized alphabetically by folder title.

5/1 Legal Documents, American Board of Clinical Chemistry 1949-1955 5/2 Appointments 1975-1978 5/3 Appointments 1978-1981 5/4 Appointments 1982-1985 5/5 Awards and Certificates 1928-1974 14/1 Awards and Certificates 1972-1981 5/6 Biographical 1975 and undated 5/7 Employment and Honors 1947-1975 5/8 Employment and Honors 1956-1975 5/9 Medical Records and Death Certificate 1951-1984 5/10 Passports and Vaccination Records 1950-1975 5/11 State University of Montana Graduation Certificate and Misc. 1928 5/12 Curriculum Vitae 1933-1973 6/1 Curriculum Vitae II 1924-1985 6/2 Personal 1958-1960 6/3 Personal 1956-1960 Series III Reports 1941-1951 0.1 linear feet

This series contains various reports from organizations related to Otto Bessey's work, organized alphabetically by folder title.

6/4 Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois 1951 6/5 Annual Report of Public Health 1941-1942 6/6 Annual Report of Public Health 1942-1943 6/7 Annual Report of Public Health 1944-1945 6/8 Nutrition and Physiology 1946-1947 6/9 Subcommittee on Vitamin Nomenclature 1951 6/10 Survey of Medical Education 1949-1950 Series IV Research 1938-1976 2.4 linear feet

This series contains Otto Bessey's research files, organized alphabetically by folder title.

6/11 Academic Institutions 1959-1961 6/12 Application of Probability Theory 1959 6/13 Asbestos undated 6/14 Ascorbic Acid Fortification of Citrus Fruit Concentrates 1944 6/15 Ascorbic Acid, Solomon and Bessey 1954 7/1 B6, Rats (Book 114) 1954 7/2 B6 and Xanthurenic Acid, Babies (Book 112) 1953-1954 7/3 Biochemistry-Metabolic Antagonists 1955 7/4 Blood, Vitamin C (Book VII) 1938 7/5 Candidates for Review Groups undated 7/6 Consultant Files 1949-1976 7/7 Dental Medicine 1948 7/8 Desulfhydrase (Book 115) 1954 8/1 Environmental Health and Problem Area 1977 8/2 Graphs undated 8/3 Guinea Pig Collagen 1936 8/4 Harvard Thiamin Studies 1941-1942 8/5 Health Consequences of Environmental Controls 1974 8/6 Health Effects of Coal and Oil Shale 1975 8/7 Health Notes 1978 8/8 Microbiological Assay (Book 11) 1943-1944 8/9 Microbiological Assay 1943-1944 8/10 Mostly Phosphatase #3 1942 8/11 Notes on Mount Sinai 1974 8/12 Mutagenesis 1973 8/13 NAS Symposium Statistics 1974 8/14 New York State Nutritional Survey 1946 9/1 New York State Survey, Analysis Date-Hemoglobin 1946 9/2 New York State Survey, Graphs and Summery Sheets 1946 9/3 New York State Survey, Ptase 1946 9/4 New York State Survey, Serum Protein 1946 9/5 New York State Survey, Riboflavin 1946 9/6 Notes, Nutrition undated 9/7 Notes, PCBs 1971 9/8 Notes, Phthalic Acid Ester Conference 1972 9/9 Problems and Remarks undated 9/10 Problems and Things to Do undated 9/11 Reading Lists 1952 9/12 Planning 1975 9/13 Riboflavin undated 9/14 Riboflavin (Book 111) 1953 9/15 Riboflavin Study 1953 10/1 Serum Proteins 1942-1944 10/2 Taurine Breast Secretions, Book 117 1955-1956 10/3 Technical Notes 1961 10/4 General Information, Travel Programs 1964 10/5 Travel Notes 1964 10/6 Travel Notes, Yugoslavia 1966 10/7 Travel Notes, Poland 1966 10/8 Travel Notes, Egypt Seminar 1966 10/9 Russian Visit Plan 1972 10/10 Baitelle Conference Travel 1974 10/11 Plastic Conference 1974 10/12 Vitamin B Tests 1938-1939 11/1 Vitamins and Miscellany (Book 110) 1953 11/2 Xanthuranic Acid and Pyridoxine, Babies Breast Milk 1954-1955 Series V Writings 1933-1976 0.4 linear feet

This series contains articles and addresses written by Otto Bessey, organized alphabetically by folder title.

11/3 Charter Day, UM 1954 11/4 University of Illinois, Chicago 1971 11/5 Journal Articles 1933-1942 11/6 Journal Articles 1943-1976 12/1 Journal Articles 1933-1942 12/2 Journal Articles 1943-1976 12/3 Riboflavin and Thiamine in persons receiving Atabrine 1957 12/4 Vitamin B6 Intake and Infantile Convulsions 1954 12/5 Vitamin B6 Intake and Infantile Convulsions 1954 Series VI Teaching 1940-1977 0.4 linear feet

This series contains materials from Otto Bessey's teaching career, organized alphabetically by folder title.

12/6 Exams 1942, 1949-1950 12/7 Exams 1951-1952 12/8 Exams 1953--1955 12/9 Exams undated 12/10 Notes undated 13/1 Lectures, Biochemistry, University of Illinois undated 13/2 Lectures, Biochemistry, University of Illinois undated 13/3 Lectures, Biochemistry, University of Illinois undated 13/4 Lectures, Biochemistry, University of Illinois undated 13/5 Lectures, Biochemistry, University of Illinois undated 13/6 Lectures, Biochemistry, University of Illinois undated 13/7 Lectures, Harvard 1940 13/8 Lectures, Harvard 1955 13/9 Lectures, University of Illinois 1949-1950 13/10 Lectures, B6 Requirements in Infants 1954 13/11 Miscellaneous 1977, undated Series VII Clippings 1933-1979 0.1 linear feet

This series contains published articles about Otto Bessey and an article on chemical nomenclature that related to his profession.

13/12 Chemical Nomenclature 1954-1956 13/13 University of Montana 1933, 1954 13/14 Who's Who 1947-1961 13/15 Miscellaneous 1944-1979 Series VIII Photographs 1932-1977 0.1 linear feet

This series contains photographs of Otto Bessey and some of his colleagues.

13/16 Photographs 1928-1972 13/17 Photographs 1940-1977 Series VIII Memorabilia 1955-1975 0.2 linear feet

This series contains an award for service from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and various certificates.

14/1 Memorabilia undated