Oliver Matthews Collection, 1905-1969
Matthews, Oliver, 1892-1979
16.00 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
Organized in three series: 1. Scrapbooks; 2. Logs; and 3. Publications.
This collection consists of scrapbooks and logs pertaining to Oregon trees,
logging methods, and wood products. The scrapbooks, arranged by species or other
subject, include correspondence, clippings, photographs, and postcards. The
logs contain day-by-day and mile-by-mile information on trips taken by Matthews
in his search for botanical specimens, wood samples, and rare or large trees.
The logs include maps, photographs, correspondence, trip narratives, and receipts.
New Accession, 2005
Biographical Note
Oliver Matthews (1892-1979), dendrologist and self-described "botanical
tramp", traveled all parts of Oregon for more than 40 years in pursuit
of trees, particularly the biggest of each species. Matthews graduated from
Willamette University in 1913 and later received teacher training as a post-graduate
at Oregon College of Education, but had no formal training as a botanist.
He served in Europe during World War I and worked as a carpenter and an extra
in the silent film industry in Hollywood after the war. He returned to Oregon
in 1928 and except for seasonal work as a carpenter and in a Salem cannery,
devoted the rest of his life to the study of Oregon's trees. He corresponded
extensively with herbariums, state and national forest services, newspapers,
and individuals; collected hundreds of wood specimens; discovered a new cypress
that bears his name; extended the known geographical range of several trees;
contributed extensive botanical specimens to many herbariums; and located, measured,
and documented the largest specimens of many trees, including Douglas Fir and
Weeping Spruce.
Related Materials
Oliver Matthews Photographic Collection (P 118); MC-Matthews, Oliver.
Shelf Locations
SR 5/5/4/10-60
SR 5/5/5/10-60
SR 5/5/6/30-60
Inventory
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