Inventory of the DeWitt Nelson Papers, 1940 – 1976
Descriptive Summary
Abstract: DeWitt Nelson (1901-1996) was national forest supervisor, state forester, director of the California Department of Natural Resources, director of the California Department of Conservation, and university professor.
Papers consist of ten bound volumes of speeches and papers by Nelson throughout his forestry and academic career. Topics include silviculture, conservation, taxation, and management. Also contains miscellaneous documents about forestry legislation.
Title: DeWitt Nelson Papers, 1940 - 1976
Creator: Nelson, DeWitt (1901-1996)
Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives
Call Number: 3913
Language of Material: Material in English
Extent: 1.5 linear feet (1 record carton)
Biographical Note
DeWitt Nelson (1901-1996) was national forest supervisor, state forester, director of the California Department of Natural Resources, director of the California Department of Conservation, and university professor.
Nelson was born on January 13, 1901 in Madrid, Iowa. He spent most of his youth in Boone, Iowa. In 1925, he graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. His career has been in the broad field of education and public administration with emphasis on the conservation, development, management, and protection of natural resources. He served 19 years with the United States Forest Service, 9 years as State Forester for California, and 13 years as Director of the Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources. During the last five years of his active career, he served as Professor of Forestry and Outdoor Recreation at Iowa State University, Oregon State University, and the University of California, Berkeley. Throughout his productive career, DeWitt Nelson was a member of many prominent social and professional organizations and was honored for his distinguished work with numerous medals and awards. He retired on May 31, 1971 at the age of 70.
Collection Overview
Papers consist of ten bound volumes of speeches and papers by Nelson throughout his forestry and academic career. Topics include silviculture, conservation, taxation, and management. Also contains miscellaneous documents about forestry legislation.
A single file folder of photographic reproductions (photocopies of pictures) pertaining to Nelson's work and family was added to the collection in December 1991.
Collection Arrangement
- Speeches and Other Papers, 1941-1976
Subject Headings
- Forest conservation -- California
- Forest management -- California
- Foresters -- California
- Foresters -- United States
- Forestry law and legislation -- United States
- Forests and forestry -- California
- Forests and forestry -- Taxation -- California
- Forests and forestry -- United States
- Nelson, DeWitt (1901-1996)
Detailed Description of the Collection
1. Speeches and Other Papers, 1941-1976.
- Volume Index
Index - Volume I
Speeches while State Forester and Director, Department of Natural Resources, State of California, 1941-1955 - Volume II
Speeches while Director, Department of Natural Resources, State of California, 1956-1958 - Volume III
Speeches while Director, Department of Natural Resources, State of California, 1959-1960 - Volume IV
Speeches while Director, Department of Conservation, State of California, 1961-1962 - Volume V
Speeches while Director, Department of Conservation, State of California, 1963-1964 - Volume VI
Speeches while Director, Department of Conservation, State of California, 1965-1966 - Volume VII
Speeches while Visiting Professor at Iowa State University, Oregon State University, and the University of California, Berkeley, October 1966-May 1968 - Volume VIII
Speeches while Professor of Forestry and Outdoor Recreation at Iowa State University, November 1968-February 1971 - Volume IX
Speeches and Miscellaneous Papers and Documents while Resources Consultant, 1971-1976
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright Notice
The nature of the Forest History Society's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Forest History Society claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], DeWitt Nelson Papers, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.
Processing Information
Processed by Michele Justica, June 1990
Encoded by Amanda Ross, September 2008
Funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission supported the encoding of this finding aid. Support for digitization and outreach provided by the Alvin J. Huss Endowment.
