Lynn Miller Papers
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The papers of Lynn Miller, professor, biologist, and founding faculty member of Hampshire College span the years of 1962-2017. The bulk of the collection details his professional career as a professor at Hampshire College. Other files include his research materials related to his interests in genetics (human and microbial), molecular biology, and evolution. The Lynn Miller Papers are organized into five series: correspondence, course records, writings, biographical information, and committees.
Dates
- Creation: 1962-2017
Access
This collection is open and available to the public for research in the Archives and Special Collections. The materials are non-circulating.
Reproduction and Publication Rights
Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Hampshire College Archives. The Hampshire College Archives approves permission to publish that which it physically owns. The materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). The materials are available for personal, educational, and scholarly use. It is the responsibility of the researcher to locate and obtain permission from the copyright owner or their heirs for any other use, such as reproduction and publication.
Biography
Lynn Miller (1932-2018), professor emeritus of biology, was born on November 6, 1932 in McCook, Nebraska. He was the 5th child of Dale Miller and Edythe Alice Rupp Miller Oveson. In 1935 after the Republican River flooded, the family relocated to Greeley Colorado. Miller and his siblings matriculated through the Greely public school system, while his parents worked as dairy farmers and creamery operators. After graduating from Greeley Central High School in 1949, Miller attended University of Colorado for 2 1/12 years and was accepted into the University of Colorado Medical School, but did not matriculate. He then went on to receive his B.S. with Honors from San Francisco State College in 1957, and a PhD in Biology from Stanford in 1962. Miller also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington in Genetics in 1965.
Miller was a founding faculty member of Hampshire College and was fundamental in establishing the School of Natural Science. He was a deeply devoted teacher who encouraged students to create projects based on their own questions His approach to teaching reflected the very essence of Hampshire’s pedogeological visions and he was a well-loved lifelong mentor to many. Miller focused on groundbreaking work in genetics (human and microbial), molecular biology, and evolution. Some of his most prominent lab research is on the evolution of Nitrogen fixation in the bacteria called Frankia. Miller was also interested in horticulture and aside from his pivotal role as professor at Hampshire, he also bred daylilies.
Miller was married to Jean Douglass (who goes by Jean Miller) from 1957 until his passing in 2018. They have two sons and two adopted children.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (2 Boxes, 1 Large Folder and a framed photo.)
Language of Materials
English
Overview
Lynn Miller (1932-2018) became a founding faculty member and professor emeritus of biology at Hampshire College. His principal research interests were genetics (human and microbial), molecular biology, and evolution. The collection contains publications, research, and correspondence documenting his professional and personal life, and undergraduate work of his students.
Collection Arrangement
The Lynn Miller Papers are organized into five series, four of which have been further arranged into subseries. The main five series are: biographical materials, correspondence, teaching and institutional records, research and writings, and oversized materials.
Physical Location
This collection is located at Hampshire College Archives and Special Collections, Harold F. Johnson Library. For access please contact archives@hampshire.edu.
Acquisition Information
This collection was transferred to the Archives from the School of Natural Science.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Processing History
This collection was processed by Emily Moran, and the finding aid written by Jessica C. Neal in April 2020. Descriptive Rules Used: Finding aid adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard. Finding aid written in English.
- Title
- Lynn Miller Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jessica C. Neal
- Date
- April 23, 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Hampshire College Archives and Special Collections Repository