Jack and Anne Rudloe Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS Group 109

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The bulk of the papers represent Jack Rudloe's literary career, consisting of manuscripts, drafts, proof copies, and background material. Manuscript material is included for all Rudloe's published books, almost all of his articles, and for numerous book length and short unpublished writing. Rudloe recycled his unpublished writings and wrote on the same topics frequently. As a result, there may be overlap of the same or similar material in different places. Much of the material which exists in notes or rough drafts has never been published at all.

A smaller, but very significant, portion of the papers document his environmental activism, primarily in opposing wetland destruction in Wakulla County. There are a large number of papers relating to management practices of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, also in Wakulla County. Other topics include sea turtles, which along with shrimping is a major topic of his writing, as well as jellyfish aquaculture, and coral management. Much of the Wakulla County material, found in the topical files, was recapitulated into an unpublished version of The Living Dock, included with the published book material.

The general papers include bio-bibliographical documents, literary and miscellaneous correspondence, and records from several Rudloe expeditions and his lecture engagements. A box of "special format" material is included. Correspondence relating to a particular writing or project may usually be found with those records, rather than in the General Correspondence files.

While the bulk of the papers are Jack Rudloe's, the work of Anne Rudloe is significantly represented in several ways. Many of the shorter writings were co-authored by Anne and Jack Rudloe. Even when not actively involved as a co-author, Anne participated in much of the research for the books and in other projects with Jack. In addition, the papers contain several examples of Anne Rudloe's own writings, both technical and literary.

Dates

Creation: 1951-1997
Creation: Majority of material found within 1968-1997

Creator

Rudloe, Jack. (Person)
Rudloe, Anne, 1947-2012. (Person)

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Jack Rudloe was born in New York in 1943, moved to the Florida panhandle in 1957, and attended Florida State University. In 1964 he founded the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory, an environmental education and research support center in Panacea, Florida, which provides marine life to schools and research laboratories throughout the nation. He participated in the International Indian Ocean Expedition to Madagascar, trips of the New York Zoological Society to Surinam to collect giant toadfish, and led deep sea trawling trips in the Gulf of Mexico to bring back giant sea roaches. Rudloe has conducted sea turtle research in conjunction with the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and the National Marine Fisheries Service. He has served on a National Cancer Institute advisory panel to review proposals on drugs from the sea. He has been active in fishery development and aquaculture projects, including an attempt to start a domestic fishery for cannonball jellyfish.

His books include The Sea Brings Forth, The Erotic Ocean, The Living Dock, Time of the Turtle, The Wilderness Coast, and The Search for the Great Turtle Mother. His articles have appeared in numerous magazines, and he has appeared on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America, and National Public Radio. His conservation efforts in behalf of Florida wetlands and his writing career have been the subject of a Walt Disney television and a Florida Public Television documentary. [Source: Adapted from Controversial Aspects of Net Fishing in Florida, a Report to the Organized Fisherman of Florida.]

Anne Eidemiller Rudloe was born in Virginia in 1947. She earned her bachelor's degree from Mary Washington College and a M.S. and a Ph.D. in biology from Florida State University. Her dissertation topic concerned the ecology and behavior of horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemous). She is the co-author with Jack of several popular periodical articles, as well as numerous scientific journal articles on horseshoe crabs, electric rays, sea turtles, and other topics. She has also participated in numerous scientific projects and taught at Florida State University.

More information about the professional activities and publications of both Anne and Jack Rudloe may be found on the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory web page.

Extent

47.96 Linear feet (78 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection includes Jack and Anne Rudloe's writings, consisting of manuscripts, drafts, proof copies, and background material.

Arrangement

The Papers are arranged in five parts: (1) General, (2) Books, (3) Short Writings (4) Unpublished Writings, and (5) Topical.

Rudloe frequently typed or printed copies on the verso of already used paper. These have been noted in the finding guide, when they seem significant. Possibly some of the versos may contain writings that are otherwise unrecognized.