American Society of Pharmacognosy Records, 1953-2010
Collection No. 22

Abstract

The American Society of Pharmacognosy Records were donated by the American Society of Pharmacognosy in 2009. The collection primarily consists of newsletters, meeting materials, membership materials, administrative materials, correspondence, and photographs. Other materials include documentation related to the Taxol historical marker, such as committee records, an aluminum proof plaque, and a large conference poster. The collection as a whole contains items from 1953 to 2010; the bulk of the material is from the period between 1960 and 1980.
Volume: approximately 15 lin. ft.

Institutional Sketch

The American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) was officially established at a meeting at the University of Illinois, College of Pharmacy, in 1959. The organization, however, existed on an informal basis as the Plant Science Laboratory Seminar since 1923. This early association involved small annual meetings of pharmacognosists, pharmacologists, botanists, and other medicinal plant scientists. While some efforts were made as early as 1947 to formalize and expand the organization, it took several years for these efforts to succeed. In 1958, Arthur E. Schwarting - Chairman of the 35th annual Plant Science Seminar - proposed a reorganization of the group and the establishment of a constitution and set of bylaws. By the next annual meeting, after extensive discussion, the American Society of Pharmacognosy was established as a formal membership organization. The purpose of this new organization, according to its original constitution, was "to promote the growth and development of pharmacognosy, to provide the opportunity for association among workers in that science, to provide opportunities for presentation of research achievements and to promote the publication of meritorious research." ASP's first president was Varro E. "Tip" Tyler, whose personal archives also resides at the Lloyd.

Since its formation, the ASP has continued the tradition established by the Plant Science Seminar of holding annual conferences. At the 2009 ASP annual meeting, the organization celebrated and commemorated its 50th Anniversary as a professional society. While the basic mission of the ASP has remained constant over the years, the organization has expanded and diversified. The A.S.P is presently involved in a variety of activities related to the support and promotion of natural products research, including co-publishing the Journal of Natural Products with the American Chemical Society (JNP was formerly Lloydia, which ASP co-published with the Lloyd Library and Museum), providing research awards to graduate and undergraduate students, and offering travel grants for individuals to attend annual meetings. The organization currently counts as members over 1,100 scientists across more than 60 countries throughout the world.

Finding Aid and Organization of Collection by
Erin Dornbusch, Assistant Archivist
Anna Heran, Chief Archivist
July 20, 2011

Scope and Content Notes

The American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) donated their organizational records to the Lloyd Library and Museum in 2009 during the 50th anniversary meeting of ASP. The two institutions have a long history together and share a mission, namely to promote research and development of natural products medicines and other compounds.

The collection was received in several batches through several members of the organization. The collection will continue to grow as ASP continues on. Further additions to the collection will receive a different collection number, but will appear as part of one contiguous collection here.

Series and Subseries Listing

• Series A: Administrative Materials: Contains materials related to the organization's administration and structure, finances, history, committee activities, associated societies, and awards and recognitions. 4 boxes + commemorative stamp plaque.
• Subseries 1: Committees: Contains committee assignments, and minutes and reports from the annual executive committee and business committee meetings.
• Subseries 2: Constitution & Bylaws: Contains revised and updated versions of the constitution and bylaws.
• Subseries 3: Elections: Contains election results, election correspondence, ballot samples, and candidate biographies.
• Subseries 4: History: Contains correspondence and documents related to the history of the Plant Science Seminars and the ASP
• Subseries 5: Incorporation: Contains correspondence, forms, reports, and certificates related to the incorporation of the ASP
• Subseries 6: Related Organizations: Contains correspondence, pamphlets, and other documents on associated professional societies and organizations.
• Series B: Membership Materials: Contains membership applications, membership lists, honorary and patron membership materials, and member information cards. 6 1/2 boxes.
• Series C: Conference Materials: Contains programs and abstracts for various conferences, including the annual ASP conference and banquet, the Teacher's Seminars, and the Plant Science Seminars. Also includes Letters of Appreciation and some conference memorabilia. 4 boxes + 1 flat box of memorabilia.
• Series D: Newsletters: Contains quarterly organizational newsletters. 1/2 box.
• Series E: Correspondence: Includes organizational and professional correspondence, arranged chronologically. 3 1/2 boxes.
• Series F: Taxol Materials: Contains correspondence, ad hoc committee report, press releases, photographs, plaque dedication materials, and site scouting materials. Also includes an aluminum proof plaque and Taxol committee poster. 1/2 box (+ poster and plaque).
• Series G: Photographs: Includes miscellaneous photographs from ASP conferences and events. 1/2 box.

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View past ASP Newsletters here

ASP Photos on - just click on sets to see the various groups of photos from ASP and help us identify people in ASP.

Container List

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