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Preliminary Inventory of the Elizabeth A. McMahan Papers, 1926-2002 and undated

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Descriptive Summary

Title
Elizabeth A. McMahan Papers, 1926-2002 and undated
Creator
McMahan, Elizabeth A.
Extent
3.7 Linear Feet
1776 Items
Repository
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University
Language
English.
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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Elizabeth A. McMahan Papers, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Elizabeth A. McMahan Papers were received by the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library as a gift in 2003.
Processing Information
Processed by Stacey Clark
Completed September 30, 2003
Encoded by Stacey Clark, Elizabeth Arnold
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
This collection is unprocessed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.
            

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Biographical Note

Entomologist (termite biology), psychologist, cartoonist, writer of children's books, ocean traveler. Born 1924, Davie Co., NC. AB, major in psychology, Duke University, 1946. MA psychology, Duke University, 1948. Research Assistant, Parapsychology Laboratory, Duke University, 1943-1954. Close friend of the Rhine family. Ph.D., entomology, University of Hawaii, 1960. Post-doctoral work, zoology, University of Chicago, 1960-1961. Professor, Dept. of Biology, UNC-CH, 1961-1987. Peace Corps, College of Agriculture, Port Antonio, Jamaica, 1987-1988. Retired to Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill, NC, 1989-present. Ca. 59 publications, many under the name E. A. McMahan, including 11 children's books. Awarded a Tanner Award, UNC-CH, 1970, for outstanding teaching and the NC Entomological Society's Award of Excellence for contributions to entomology, 1989.

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Collection Overview

The collection contains primarily correspondence and greeting cards, including with John Craig Wheeler (considered the father of "black holes") on parapsychology and its intersection with theoretical physics. Also includes news clippings and scrapbooks documenting McMahan's life; illustrations she made describing her travels aboard Pacific-traveling cargo ships; several of her self-published children's books; and compilations of her cartoons from "The Meadowlark" newsletter. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
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Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
  • McMahan, Elizabeth A.
  • McMahan, Elizabeth A.--Travel.
  • Wheeler, J. Craig.
  • Duke University--Alumni and alumnae.
  • Entomologists--North Carolina.
  • Psychometry (Parapsychology).
  • Parapsychology and science.
  • Self-publishing--United States.
  • Children's literature.
  • Books and reading.
  • Caricatures and cartoons.
  • Cargo ships--Passenger traffic.
  • Ocean travel.
  • Pacific Ocean--Description and travel.
  • Clippings.
  • Scrapbooks.
  • Cartoons.
List of Series in Collection
Accession 2003-0128
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Preliminary Description of Unprocessed Collection

Accession 2003-0128

Box 1
Contents of Box 1:
[Technical Services staff may need to reformat brittle paper before use.]
[Attention: Contains rusty fasteners.]
Correspondence, [1957-1980]
Includes correspondence with John Wheeler.
Clippings, [1980-2002]
Box 2
Contents of Box 2:
[Technical Services staff may need to reformat newsprint and brittle paper before use.]
[Technical Services staff need to format for use copies of video tape before use.]
[Attention: Contains pictorial material.]
Rhine Correspondence, [1946-1975]
Includes letters and hand-made birthday cards to J.B. Rhine. Also contains letters to family from Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.
Big Book of Animal Behavior
Loose material removed from scrapbook in box 4, [1960-1978]
Includes original artwork, newspaper, and magazine clippings.
Videotape: Wall Cartoons (Vic and Jim Smith Video)
Box 3
Contents of Box 3:
[Technical Services staff may need to process materials in envelopes before use.]
Writings
"Life at Carolina Meadows" series
Children's books
"The Meadowlark " newsletter
Curriculum vitae
Artwork, cartoon illustrations
Clippings and greeting cards, [1964-2001]
Box 4
Contents of Box 4:
Scrapbook, [1941-1962]
Includes clippings, correspondence and photographs.