Where Does Blackwelders Narrative Fit

By all accounts, Richard Blackwelder played a fundamental role in the SSZ s first decade. He deserves credit not only for running the society as a going concern but also for being a driving force behind many SSZ activities. He was involved in the launch of the News Letter, then Systematic Zoology. He created the society s book exhibit and represented the SSZ in many settings. Formally, he served as secretary, 1949 to 1960, then president in 1961. Blackwelder poured his heart into the SSZ. 

Schmitt to Alexander Petrunkevitch, September 7 1948, Schmitt Papets, box 60, folder [SSZ] Correspondence M-P. Schmitt s organizational efforts to date were represented in his List of Committees setving ptiot to September 12,1948, Schmitt Papers, box 60, folder SSE Memoranda, Minutes of Meetings, Election Ballots, Financial Records, Committee Reports, 1947-1959.  

Blackwelder summarized the main points of his work in the SSZ in Blackwelder (1977 110-114). 

Wharton s minutes of the December 1947 meeting do not identify Blackwelder as speaking and provide no list of attendees. This makes it impossible to say whether Blackwelder was in attendance. 

Dick Blackwelder is tremendously interested in all that we are trying to do with the Society for Systematic Zoologists.. .. He wants to see the various nomenclature groups throughout the country coordinated in some fashion and feels that our Society is just the place for it,. .. Because of his interest, I asked him to work over your draft. .7  

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