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Elizabeth S. and Oliver L. Austin Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS Group 051

Scope and Content

The collection includes manuscripts of several of Elizabeth Austin's published works, correspondence, largely relating to the publication of Frank Chapman in Florida, and a scrapbook of her nature columns in the Florida Times-Union. The collection also includes several drafts of the manuscript of Birds of the World by Oliver Austin, including an unbound printed copy, and a microfilmed scrapbook, primarily of his column, "Birds and Such," from the Cape Cod Colonial, 1936-1937.

Dates

  • Creation: 1933-1967

Creator

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Elizabeth S. Austin, author and ornithologist, was a Research Associate of the Florida State Museum. She authored several birding books, all represented here, including The Birds That Stopped Flying, Penguins, and The Random House Book of Birds, co-authored by Oliver Austin. She was the editor of Frank Chapman in Florida, and wrote a weekly newspaper column on birds, "Wild Adventure."

Her husband Oliver L. Austin, Jr., was born in 1903 and educated at Wesleyan University and Harvard (Ph.D.). He was the author of numerous books including Birds of the World (1961). His positions included Curator of Ornithology at the Florida State Museum of the University of Florida. Previously he was director of the Austin Ornithological Research Station on Cape Cod. He was the editor of Auk, the Journal of the American Ornithologists Union and of the Bulletin of the Florida State Museum.

Extent

6 Linear feet (13 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Correspondence and newsletter columns about ornithology, and manuscripts of books about birds by Elizabeth S. Austin and Oliver L. Austin, Jr.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Acquisition Information

The Elizabeth Austin manuscripts and correspondence were donated by Oliver Austin, ca. 1961. The manuscripts of Birds of the World were received from his office in the Florida State Museum. Boxes 4-5 were added February 2012.

Title
A Guide to the Elizabeth S. and Oliver L. Austin Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Frank Orser; updated by Kapri P. Crowley
Date
February 2012
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755