Preliminary Guide to the R. James Cook Papers 1964-2017
MS.2020.15

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
Creator
Cook, R. James, 1937-
Title
Preliminary Guide to the R. James Cook Papers
ID
MS.2020.15
Date [inclusive]
1964-2017
Extent
1.91 Linear feet of shelf space, 3 Boxes
Location
(MASC STAFF USE) 2-8-8-2
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
The R. James Cook Papers consist of the professional papers of R. James Cook, Professor Emeritus at Washington State University (WSU) and former researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) at WSU. The collection consists of materials related to Dr. Cook’s national leadership in agricultural research, reprints of talks and seminars, government reports, professional correspondence, reprints of historical interest by other researchers, and materials concerning improving the public’s understanding of biotechnology in research.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Preliminary Guide to the R. James Cook Papers, 1964-2017 (MS.2020.15)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

R. James Cook was born in 1937 and grew up on a 400-acre farm in northwestern Minnesota. He attended North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University), studying agronomy and animal science. In 1960, he became the first student at North Dakota State University to obtain a plant pathology masters degree, and then attended the University of California, Berkeley for his doctorate. He spent four decades with WSU and the USDA-ARS and garnered a number of prestigious honors over the course of his career. In December 2018, Dr. Cook received WSU’s highest award, an honorary doctoral degree, in recognition of his service to the university and dedication to healthier plants and soil.

Source: “Roots of the Matter: R. James Cook and Soil Health”, Washington State University, accessed September 3, 2020

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Scope and Content

The R. James Cook Papers consist of the professional papers of R. James Cook, Professor Emeritus at Washington State University (WSU) and former researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) at WSU. The collection consists of materials related to Dr. Cook’s national leadership in agricultural research, reprints of talks and seminars, government reports, professional correspondence, reprints of historical interest by other researchers, materials concerning Dr. Cook’s career, and materials concerning improving the public’s understanding of biotechnology in research. Topics of interest include wheat and barley root diseases, biological control of plant pathogens, and the 1988 first field release of a genetically engineered organism in the Pacific Northwest.

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Arrangement

This is an unprocessed collection. Any arrangement reflects either a pre-existing order from the records' creators or previous custodians, or preliminary sorting performed by staff.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2020

http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open and available for research use.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions apply.

Accruals

The repository expects to receive additions to this collection.

Acquisition Information

R. James Cook donated this collection to the Washington State University Libraries in 2020 (MS.2020.15).

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Related Materials

Related Material

James Cook Mt. St. Helens Research Project Papers, 1980-1984 (Cage 686)

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Names and Subjects

Corporate Name(s)

Subject(s) :
  • Washington State University -- Faculty -- Archives.

Personal Name(s)

Subject(s) :
  • Cook, R. James, 1937- -- Archives.

Subject(s)

  • Plant diseases.
  • Agricultural pests.
  • Crop science.
  • Soil science.
  • Agriculture
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Science

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Detailed Description of Collection

box

Materials related to Dr. Cook’s national leadership role in agricultural research; “In the News and Op-Eds”; career materials, talks and seminars, regulatory oversight materials, reprints of historical interest, U.S. government reports. 

 1

Wheat life publications 1960s-2000s, professional correspondence 1980s-1990s. 

 2

Curriculum vitae, professional correspondence 1970s-1980s; materials related to Dr. Cook’s leadership in public understanding of biotechnology in research; materials related to the 1988 first field release of a genetically engineered organism in the Pacific Northwest. 

 3