The New York Botanical Garden International Plant Science Center
Mertz Library
Science Home ... Mertz Library ... Archives and Manuscripts

Marjorie Wolff Anchel

Library Collections & Resources

Finding Guide

Archives and Manuscripts

Books and Journals

NonBook Collection

Circulating Collection

Searchable Databases and Electronic Resources







Archives and Manuscript Collections

Records of the Laboratory (RG5)
MARJORIE ANCHEL RECORDS
1931-1978 [bulk 1960-1975]
5.5 linear feet  (6 boxes)

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Marjorie Wolff Anchel was born in New York, NY on May 6, 1910. She attended Barnard College, receiving a BA. in Chemistry in 1931. She received her M.A. in Chemistry from Columbia University in 1933 (Chemistry) and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1939.

Dr. Anchel began her career at The Squibb Institute for Medical Research, in the Organic Chemistry Division, working there from 1943 to 1946. She began her work at The New York Botanical Garden in 1946 as a Research Associate, and was  promoted to Senior Research Associate in 1961. From 1972 to 1977, Dr. Anchel worked as the Senior Chemist and Administrator of the Laboratory. In 1977, she retired from the Garden, having been conferred with the title of Senior Scientist, Emeritus. Her research interests include antibiotics, natural polyacetylenes, and the chemistry and biogenesis of fungal products.

Marjorie Anchel is married to Herbert Rackow. Marriage dates are unclear.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Marjorie Anchel Collection covers her career as a Chemist at The New York Botanical Garden. No other material on her life or career is included. The collection consists of six series. The records contain primarily correspondence and laboratory notebooks. The other series help to complete the picture of her research career.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series 1: Annual Reports
Series 2: Biographical/Personal
Series 3: Correspondence
Series 4: Grants
Series 5: Laboratory Notebooks
Series 6: Publications

Series 1:     Annual Reports, 1950-1976
                    3 lin. in. Arranged alphabetically.

Includes annual reports of Marjorie Anchel, her staff, and the Research Laboratory. These reports detail the research conducted by individuals and the Lab as a whole.

Series 2:  Biographical/Personal, 1977
                 1 folder. Arranged alphabetically.

Contains brief lists of her professional career attached to bibliographies of her works.

Series 3:  Correspondence, 1951-1978
                 9 lin. in. Arranged alphabetically.

The bulk of the correspondence concerns research questions about fungi, particularly Clitocybe. Also included here is correspondence showing Anchel's interest and dedication to the cause of animal rights. Throughout the series can be found letters urging for the more humane treatment of animals, especially dogs, used in scientific experiments. Anchel worked to support the passage of S285, the repeal of the Metcalf-Hatch Act. (Correspondence "A" and "I" have letters of note, but this is not exclusive of other folders.) Other correspondence of note includes E. J. Crane and her abstracting work for Chemical Abstracts.

Series 4:  Grants, 1951-1974
                 4.5 lin. in. Arranged alphabetically.

Granting agencies were the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. This series includes applications, budgets, and progress reports. The folders are arranged alphabetically by grant number. The Miscellaneous folder includes a list of grant folders removed from the collection: 1973, 1974, and grant #1-2-4633.

Series 5:  Laboratory Notebooks, n.d.
                 4.5 lin. ft. Arranged alphabetically.

The bulk of this series is bound notebooks containing the research notes for the Laboratory. These include charts, graphs, and notes both in Anchel's handwriting and in others'. Also included are folders containing unbound lab notebooks (see "Laboratory Notebooks--Institutional Grant") and other material from the Lab. They are arranged alphabetically by the names on their spines.

Series 6:  Publications, 1931-1973
                 1.5 lin. in. Arranged alphabetically.

Included are mostly reprints of articles by Anchel and other researchers. Anchel's manuscript, Beyond Veterinary Care can also be found here.

RELATED COLLECTIONS

The New York Botanical Garden

RG2    Records of the Board of Managers

RG5   Annette Hervey Records

          William Robbins Records
 

PROCESSED BY: Serena D. Gomez  August 1998. Revised September 2000 by Susan Fraser, NYBG Archivist.


For more information and a complete description contact:
Susan Fraser, NYBG Archivist
The LuEsther T. Mertz Library
The New York Botanical Garden
Bronx, NY 10458-5126
(718) 817-8879

  Back to Top


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
NYBG Home  |  Science Home  |  About Us  |  Site Map  |  Participate  |  Contact Us
© 2003 The New York Botanical Garden  |  Photo Credits
Terms of Use  |  We welcome your feedback and suggestions.