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Thomas R. Ashlee and Geoffrey Coope collection of flora in Idaho and Washington

 Collection
Identifier: PG 129

Content Description

In 1933, Coope and Ashlee sponsored an exhibit of Idaho wildflowers. This display included photographic plates of specimens they went out and photographed, and was displayed for a time at U of I Library. This collection contains many of those plates and other photographic prints and negatives of Idaho and Washington flora.

Dates

  • Creation: 1932-1938

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

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.

Extent

.5 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Glass plate negatives, film negatives, and prints of plants photographed in Idaho and Washington.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged in one series labeled Prints and Negatives. The items with this series were left in the order in which they were recieved.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were transfered to U of I Library Special Collections and Archives in 2023 from India Young, of the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, British Columbia.

Existence and Location of Copies

Most of the materials in this collection have been digitized, and available for viewing in the Flora of Idaho and Washington digital collection.

Title
Guide to Thomas R. Ashlee and Geoffrey Coope collection of flora in Idaho and Washington
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Sara Szobody.
Date
2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English and Latin.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Repository