Gentner, Louis G., Papers, 1829-1980 (inclusive); 1914-1980 (bulk)
Gentner, Louis Gustave, 1892-1980
1.2 cubic feet

Pencil drawing by Louis G. Gentner. One of the numerous drawings included in the Gentner collection.

Scope and Content Note

These papers were generated by Louis G. Gentner, entomologist, alumnus and faculty member at Oregon State College. They document his coursework at Oregon Agricultural College, species identification and his field research regarding insect damage to vegetation.

This collection is organized into six series: Biographical Information; Correspondence; School Records and Materials, Entomology Field Work and Research Notes, Organizations, and Photographs.

The biographical information file includes a publications list (1915-1967) and a biographical data sheet. Much of the correspondence relates to Gentner's work on his Ph.D. at Oregon State College. Series II contains both professional correspondence relating to Gentner's Ph.D. thesis, coursework for students and entomological correspondence pertaining to specimen identification and supplies. Series III contains miscellaneous papers ranging from receipts for graduate school classes to references to textbooks. The classroom materials include laboratory notebooks dating from 1911 to 1917 and are from undergraduate and graduate classes in English, zoology and economic entomology. An interesting item in this series is Gentner's high school laboratory book dated 1908. Other classroom-related materials include student seminar papers, a thesis written by Gentner for a Civil Service Examination, study outlines and teaching notes. Series IV includes tables, field notes, handwritten manuscripts, outlines, and articles written by Gentner. It also contains four card file boxes of detailed entomology research field notes and bibliographies. Series V contains materials relating to Gentner's membership in various entomological organizations. Series VI includes approximately 100 black and white photographs documenting insect damage to vegetation. One photograph of Gentner, taken in 1914, is also included.

Provenance

A portion of these papers were donated directly to the University Archives by Louis Gentner's daughter, Laura Gentner Dunwald, in December 1985. Other materials were donated to the Horner Museum by the OSU Archives in 1985 and were subsequently returned to the Archives in August 1996. It is likely that they were also donated by Laura Gentner Dunwald. A subsequent addition to the collection was transferred from the Entomology Department in 2001.

Biographical Note

Alumnus and entomologist, Louis G. Gentner, was born in Portland, Oregon, in February 1892. Gentner received his B. S. from Oregon Agricultural College in 1915, his M. S. from the University of Wisconsin in 1918, and completed his doctorate at Oregon State College in 1953. He did his post-graduate work at Oregon State College in 1945 and 1946. After working as an entomologist in Wisconsin and Michigan, he became associate entomologist and assistant superintendent of the Southern Oregon Branch Experiment Station in Medford in 1930. Gentner's studies with alfalfa varieties led to the selection and naming of "Talent" alfalfa, now grown extensively for seed production exports. His work with beetles led to the elimination of the Klamath goat weed infestation on southern Oregon infested rangeland and enabling thousands of acres to be become viable again. Gentner retired from the station in 1962 and died July 16, 1980. Additional biographical information is included in the collection.

Related Materials

Other materials relating to the Entomology Department can be found in the Agricultural Experiment Station Records (RG 25) and in the Entomology Department Records (RG 27). Other entomological collections held by the OSU Archives are the papers of Ralph Berry , Willard Joseph Chamberlin, Louis G. Gentner , John D. Lattin , Charles H. Martin , James McIver , Hugh E. Morrison , Paul W. Oman , Paul Ritcher , Robert G. Rosenstiel , and Herman A. Scullen . Materials relating to Gentner's research on flea beetles are held by the Smithsonian Institution Archives (Louis G. Gentner Papers, RU 7341).

Container Note

The collection is housed in one cubic foot box, four 4x5 index card boxes, one half-size document box and one document box.


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