Guide to the William LeBaron Papers 1824-1892


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Table of Contents

• Descriptive Summary
• Information on Use
• Access
• Citation
• Biographical Note
• Scope Note
• Related Resources
• Subject Headings
• INVENTORY
• Series I: Professional
• Series II: Notes and Writings

Descriptive Summary

Information on Use

Access

The collection is open for research.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Le Baron, William. Papers, Crerar Ms 135, [Box#, Folder#], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

William LeBaron was an entomologist who studied and completed research within the state of Illinois. In April 1870, LeBaron was appointed to the position of State entomologist of Illinois and would serve until 1875. He was only the second state entomologist, coming to the position shortly after it was established. In this role, LeBaron conducted research and provided information to the State of Illinois as well as other organizations. In the spring of 1871 and 1872, he published two reports on injurious insects. In addition to his leadership role, LeBaron was also passionate about providing education for younger individuals in the field. In his official statement to the Governor of Illinois, LeBaron states his desire and plan to create an entomology textbook. There was also a period of time, where although it was mandated by law that the positon of State Entomologist is paid by the General Assembly, LeBaron went a period of time without being paid, but continued to fulfill his position and responsibilities.

Within the field of American entomology, William LeBaron was one of the leading figures. He was a founding member of the Illinois Natural History Society. He also frequently wrote pieces for the agricultural press.

Scope Note

This collection is divided into two series: Professional, Notes and Writings. The first series includes several letters of correspondence as well as a copy of LeBaron’s official report as State Entomologist of Illinois. The second series contains a multitude of handwritten notes. Some of these materials are loose pages containing lecture and presentation notes. The majority of the collection includes different notebooks. These notebooks include written observations on insects, notes on other scholars’ work, as well as catalogues, remarks, and classification of different insects.

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Subject Headings

• Le Baron, William
• Insects
• Entomology

INVENTORY

This series contains materials relating to LeBaron’s professional life. These include documents of correspondence, as well as documents from his time as State Entomologist of Illinois.

This series contains an assortment of LeBaron’s personal notes. These include notebooks that contains catalogues, classifications, and remarks on specific insects. In addition this series also contains LeBaron’s lecture and presentation notes as well as his notes on other scholars’ research.