Winifred Goldring Papers, 1899-1971

Summary

Creator:
Goldring, Winifred, 1888-1971
Abstract:
Winifred Goldring (1888-1971) was born in Kenwood, New York, and eventually became the New York State Paleontologist, working at the New York State Museum. This collection contains biographical materials, correspondence, photographs, and publications.
Extent:
1 box
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Winifred Goldring Papers, 1899-1971 includes correspondence, clippings, diplomas and certificates, photographs and negatives, and publications relating to Winifred Goldring's personal life and her scientific career. The Biographical Material series (1899-1971) includes a memorial pamphlet dedicated to Ms. Goldring written by Donald W. Fisher; biographical outlines and lists of publications; newspaper and magazine clippings; and diplomas and certificates. The Correspondence series (1902-1939) consists of personal and professional correspondence. correspondents include Dr. Huntington Williams, Douglas Johnson, and others offering their congratulation upon Ms. Goldring's appointment as New York State Paleontologist and greetings from her relatives in England. Also included in this series are invitations. The Photograph series (c. 1909-1930) consists of 44 photographs and 2 negatives. Most of the photographs are family oriented. Several show the interior and exterior of her father's greenhouses. The majority of the photographs are unidentified and undated. The negatives are of a personalized bookplate designed for Winifred Goldring. The Publications series (1920-1954) is composed of the writings of Winifred Goldring.

Biographical / historical:

Winifred Goldring was born February 1, 1888 in Kenwood (near Albany, NY). Her father, Frederick Goldring, came from England in 1879. He maintained the orchid collections at the Erastus Corning estate near Albany. Her mother, Mary Gray, taught school until her marriage to Frederick in 1881. The couple had seven girls: Esther; Marjorie; Winifred; Grace; Katharine; Joyce; and Janet, and one boy, Frederick, Jr.

In 1890, the Goldring family moved to Slingerlands, NY, and established their own floral business. Winifred lived there for 81 years. She began her education at Slingerlands District School. She then attended the Milne School and graduated valedictorian in the class of 1905. She earned her B.A.,with honors, from Wellesley College in 1909, and her M.A. in 1912. At Wellesley, she was assistant in geology and geography (1909-1912) and took graduate work at Harvard under William Morris Davis. She remained at Wellesley, as Instructor in Geology and as Assistant Instructor in the Teacher's School of Science in Boston, from 1912-1914. She spent the summer of 1913 at Columbia University studying under Amadeus Grabau. Her graduate work concluded in 1921 at The Johns Hopkins University studying under Professor Edward W. Berry.

In 1914, at the age of 26, Ms. Goldring was hired by Director John M. Clarke as Scientific Expert in Paleontology at the New York State Museum. Successively, she served as Assistant Paleontologist (1915-1920), Associate Paleontologist (1920-1925; 1928-1932), Paleobotanist (1925-1928), Associate Paleontologist (1932-1938), Provisional State paleontologist (1938- 1939), and State Paleontologist (1939-1954). She retired in July 1954. For her accomplishments and contributions to the science of paleontology, she was awarded the honorary D.Sc. degrees from Russell Sage College (1937) and Smith College (1957), and honorary membership in Sigma Delta Epsilon.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Albany Institute of History & Art without any additional restrictions.

Terms of access:

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the Albany Institute of History & Art Library will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Archivist/Librarian.

Location of this collection:
125 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12210, United States
Link to repository site
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