Thomas R. Ashlee and Geoffrey Coope worked at the University of Idaho during the 1930s. Ashlee was the University of Idaho florist, and Coope was a faculty member of the English Department.

Ashlee studied under Dr. F. B. Laney at U of I. In 1928 he was conducting a graduate study under Dr. Laney and collectioned photographs and scientific information on the local flora of Latah County as well as the greater North Idaho. Ashlee published a booklet called "A Contribution to the Latah Flora of Idaho" in 1932.

Coope was a member of the Oregon Agricultural College before coming to teach English at U of I. He was very active in the theater community on campus, and even wrote "All Reasons Now Resigned." Additionally, Coope was the photographer seven of the University of Idaho Presdients portraits (PG 2, Unviversity of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives).

In 1933, Coope and Ashlee partnered in an effort to teach others about the local plant life in an in-depth way. The two professors sponsored an exhibit of Idaho wildflowers which was on display in U of I Library. The display included photographic plates of specimens they went out and found.