Evolution of Plant Breeding at Cornell University
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Published by The Internet-First University Press Evolution of Plant Breeding at Cornell University Spring 1909 A Centennial History 1907–2006 Royse P. Murphy with Lee B. Kass Department Histories - Cornell University – http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/handle/1813/14144 The Internet-First University Press – http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/handle/1813/62 This content appears online at Cornell University’s eCommons for open access distribution and then in the more traditional physical forms (CD and bound book) for a modest user fee. This approach obviates the need for other libraries (or indeed individuals for personal usage) to acquire, catalog and store this content. How- ever, redistribution and all other rights remain with the copyright holders. The IFUP was co-founded by J. Robert Cooke and Kenneth M. King. Online access to this book and the multimedia resources contained on the associated DVD are at: Department Histories – Cornell University http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/handle/1813/14144 Internet-First University Press http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/handle/1813/62 Perfect bound copies of this book may be ordered via e-mail: [email protected] P This book was written by Professor Emeritus Royse P. Murphy with Visiting Professor Lee B. Kass and released after the Centennial Celebration of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics in 2007. 4 6 2 3 5 7 8 1 10 11 12 13 14 9 Cover Photo 1. HB Frost, 2. CE Leighty, 3. LH Waldron, 4. HB Brown, 5. H Beckenstrater, 6. SF Willard, Jr., 7. LD Batchelor, 8. MJ Dorsey 9. CF Clark, 10. HJ Webber, 11. LH Bailey, 12. EP Humbert, 13. HH Love, 14. AW Gilbert Published by The Internet-First University Press Ithaca, NY, USA ©2011 by Royse P. Murphy, Lee B. Kass and the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Cornell University All rights reserved, except as noted above. EVOLUTION of PLANT BREEDING at CORNELL UNIVERSITY i Herbert! J. Webber, Chair, Department of Plant Breeding (1907-1913) ii EVOLUTION of PLANT BREEDING at CORNELL UNIVERSITY A CENTENNIAL HISTORY 1907-2006 by Royse P. Murphy Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Breeding In cooperation with Lee B. Kass Visiting Professor, L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Department of Plant Biology DEPARTMENT OF PLANT BREEDING AND GENETICS CORNELL UNIVERSITY Ithaca, New York iii Copyright © 2007 by Royse P. Murphy, Lee B. Kass and the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853 All rights reserved. The online version of this book may be downloaded for personal use only. Mass reproduction and any further distribution requires written permission of the copyright holders. Published by The Internet-First University Press Ithaca, New York Co-founders: J. Robert Cooke and Kenneth M. King Production coordinators for the original printed version: Chad E. O’Shea, Lee B. Kass, Judy L. Singer The online version was produced by J. Robert Cooke and proofread by Judy L. Singer Front Cover: Synapsis Club, Spring of 1909, Department of Plant Breeding, Cornell University Left to Right, Back Row: HB Frost, CE Leighty, LH Waldron, HB Brown, H Beckenstrater, SF Willard Jr., LD Batchelor, MJ Dorsey. Front Row: CF Clark, HJ Webber, LH Bailey, EP Humbert, HH Love, AW Gilbert (Courtesy Department of Plant Breeding files) iv CONTENTS Herbert J. Webber, Chair, Department of Plant Breeding (1907-1913) frontispiece ii FOREWORD Cornell Plant Breeding 2007, Celebrating 100 Years of Crop Improvement vii PREFACE and ACKNOWLEDGMENTS viii-ix Chapter 1 CORNELL UNIVERSITY . .1 The Idea .....................................................................1 The Reality ...................................................................2 Chapter 2 THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE ..............................5 The Implementation ...........................................................5 Brief Chronology, 1862-1914 ...................................................6 Chapter 3 THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANT BREEDING ........................................9 The Webber ears,Y 1907-1914. 9 The Emerson Era, 1914-1942 ..................................................16 The Golden Age fo Corn Genetics. .22 The Great Economic Depression, 1929-1939 .....................................25 Chapter 4 INTERESTING PLANT BREEDING PERSONALITIES, 1914-1932 .....................31 Rollins Adams Emerson, Professor .............................................31 William F. Friedman, Student ..................................................32 Kenneth C. Livermore, Cooperator & J(osiah) Randall Livermore, Professor .........32 Ernest G. Anderson, Graduate Assistant. 33 Franklin D. Keim, Graduate Student. .34 Frank B. Bussell, Professor. .35 Benjamin H. Duddleston, Graduate Student and Hybrid Corn Breeder ..............35 Harold S. Perry, Graduate Assistant. 36 Chapter 5 THE LOVE ERA, 1942-1949 .......................................................39 Chapter 6 MEMOIRS OF THE LAST 60 YEARS, 1949-2006 ....................................49 The Atwood-Murphy Years, 1949-1964. .49 The Plaisted Years, 1964-1979. .54 The Pardee ears,Y 1979-1987 ...................................................57 The Coffman Years, 1987-1993. 62 The Earle Years, 1993-2001 ....................................................65 Coffman Reprise, 2001-2006 ...................................................68 ENDNOTES ....................................................................................72 FURTHER READING ............................................................................74 Editor’s Note: In the online version, the Contents entries are hyperlinked. (continued on next page) v APPENDICES CONTENTS .......................................................................77 A. Administrative Officers of Cornell University, 1865-2006 ..........................78 B. Administrative Officers of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, 1868-2006 ......80 C. Heads of Departments, 1907-2006 ..............................................83 D. Faculty, 1906-2006 ...........................................................84 E. Support Staff, 1907-2006 ......................................................93 F. University Professors and Scholars .............................................97 G. Notable Recognitions and Scholarly Books ......................................98 H. Varieties Released .......................................................... 101 I. Pure Seed Program, 1915-2006 ............................................... 108 J. Masters of Science in Agriculture, 1908-1951 .................................. 110 K. Masters of Science, 1916-2006 ............................................... 112 L. Doctors of Philosophy, 1909-2007. 119 M. Number of Degrees Catalogued by Major Advisor .............................. 131 N. Number of Degrees Awarded by Time Periods ................................. 133 O. Percentage Non-National Degrees by Time Periods ............................. 133 P. Percentage Women Degrees by Time Periods .................................. 133 Q. Summary of Degrees by Major Interest, 1908-2006. 134 R. Number of Foreign Students, 1908-2006, Seventy Nations ....................... 134 S. Department of Plant Breeding Courses, 1907-ca. 1980. 135 T. Faculty by Rank and Chronology, 1906-2007. 138 PHOTO SECTION .......................................................................... 141 P1 Snap Shots .................................................................... 177 MAPS ...........................................................................x, 3 vi FOREWORD CORNELL PLANT BREEDING 2007 CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF CROP IMPROVEMENT by Mark E. Sorrells Chair and Professor, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics The Cornell Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics and student/faculty club, Synapsis, have a rich history dating from 1907 when Dean Liberty Hyde Bailey employed Herbert J. Webber to head the Department of Plant Breeding. In 1914, Rollins A. Emerson succeeded Webber who had expanded the department activities to include research and teaching of plant breeding, genetics, and biometry. The period from 1920-1940, sometimes referred to as the Golden Era of Genetics, was remarkable for the large number of students who went on to become great scientists and leaders in plant breeding. Two students from that era, George W. Beadle and Barbara McClintock were named Nobel Laureates. Our department continues to lead the discipline through diverse research, teaching, and extension activities ranging from the molecular study of crop plant genomes to development and deployment of superior crop varieties. Our scientists collaborate with scientists around the world to integrate the knowledge, information, and expertise from a range of disciplines to produce new knowledge and unique germplasm. The essence of these achievements results from the extraordinary expectations, collegial atmosphere, and the exchange of ideas among great scientists in our institution. It is customary, at the 100-year mark, to look back and celebrate our history, but it is also important to look forward, collect our thoughts, and craft a new vision for the future of our discipline. In our Centennial year we recognize the transformative contributions of all of our predecessors including former staff, students, post- doctoral associates, research associates, visiting scientists and faculty who have been a part of this organization and played a role in the advancement of our discipline. As articulated by Sir Issac Newton: If I have seen further than