Born in Aurelia, Iowa on July 25, 1883, Winfred M. Atwood served in the Oregon State College Botany and Plant Physiology department from 1913-1950.
Atwood received his A.B. from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa in 1907. During this time, Atwood was a member of three honorary fraternities and two literary societies, and the materials in the collection reflect his interest and activities. After graduation, he taught high school from 1908-1909 at Hampton High school in Iowa. In 1916 he returned to Cornell College and earned his A.M. degree. Enrolling at the University of Chicago, he obtained his M.S. degree in 1911 and his Ph.D. in 1913.
In September 1913, he accepted a position as an instructor in biology at Oregon Agricultural College. He was made an Associate Professor of Botany in 1916 and Professor of Plant Physiology in 1925. During World War I, Atwood worked on research problems related to wheat germination. He served as chairman of the student loan fund administered by the college faculty committee. Winfred Atwood retired from Oregon State in 1950.
The Atwood Scrapbook contains Cornell College commencement programs; literary society debate announcements; newspaper clippings; grade reports; athletic announcements; and copies of various programs, recitals and announcements. Of note are publications by Atwood and photographs taken by him during his college career. The scrapbook also includes Atwood's grade reports (1893-1900) from the Cherokee, Iowa, Public Schools.
Winfred M. Atwood Scrapbook, Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon
The scrapbook was donated by Harland Pratt in 1979.
Materials relating to literary societies at Oregon Agricultural College can be found in the records of the Adelphian Literary Society, 1882-1891 (RG 48), Amicitia Literary Society, 1895-1911 (RG 38), Athenian Literary Society, 1892-1895 (RG 61), Jeffersonian Literary Society, 1897 (RG 67), Hesperian Lyceum Society, 1891-1893 (RG 65), and the Websterian Literary Society, 1892-1894 (RG 47). Documentation on the Botany department can be found in the Botany and Plant Pathology Department (RG 54) records as well as in the Herbarium Records (RG 117). The Botany and Plant Pathology Dept. Photographs (P 75) include lantern slides made or assembled by Atwood of Iowa scenes. Information on Atwood can also be found in the Memorabilia Collection.