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George Kell Reid, Jr., research file, 1949-1979

 

Summary

Creator:
Reid, George Kell, Jr.
Abstract:
Collection documents the limnological research and marine life papers of George Kell Reid, Jr. in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Extent:
2 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

George Kell Reid, Jr., research file, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL.

Background

Scope and content:

Materials of research articles, unpublished seminar papers, and notes represent the career of educator George Kell Reid Jr's strong interest in the limnology of Lake Maggiore and marine life in Boca Ciega Bay and other estuarine environments along the Pinellas peninsula.

Subjects include: Publications by Reid, Lake Maggiore, Water Resources: Pinellas and Jillsborough Counties, Littorina Research Materials, and Student Research Papers.

Biographical / historical:

Born in Fitzgerald, Georgia, on 23 March 1918, George Kell Reid spent much of his childhood in north central Florida. During the late 1920s, he began collecting bird eggs and soon captured insects and snakes near his Ocala home. He often mounted the insects on display boards and sold the snakes to Ross Allen, owner of a Silver Springs serpentarium. He also spent much of his childhood at Juniper Springs and the Ocala National Forest. After graduating from high school in 1935, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the Presbyterian College of South Carolina in 1940. From 1942 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, and separated from military service as a first lieutenant.

Reid began his graduate studies at the University of Florida (UF) during the years following World War II. He obtained his M.S. in biology and zoology from UF in 1949, and earned his Ph.D. in biology three years later. While working on his doctorate, he also served as an instructor of zoology at the University of Florida. During the 1950s, he embarked on a teaching and research career that included service at the College of William and Mary (assistant professor of biology, 1952-1953), Virginia Fisheries Laboratory (biologist, 1953), Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (assistant professor of wildlife management/fisheries, 1953-1956), Texas Game and Fish Commission (marine laboratmy biologist, 1954-1956), and Rutgers University (assistant professor of zoology, 1956-1960). His research interests included studies of fresh and salt water ecosystems and his courses covered areas such as biology, ichthyology, and ecology.

Reid arrived at Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd College) as a chm1er faculty member in 1960. For twenty-three years, he instructed students in the Collegium of Natural Sciences at Eckerd College. He reached the rank of full professor, and was awarded emeritus status upon retirement in 1983. Shortly afterwards, he moved to Palm Beach County. He passed away on 5 July 2002 at his home in North Palm Beach.

Some information in this biographical note originally appeared in obituaries published by the St. Petersburg Times and the Palm Beach Post.

Acquisition information:
These materials were donated in March 2003 by Dr. John G. Schwede.

Access and use

Terms of access:

None. The contents of the collection may be subject to copyright. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for more information.

Preferred citation:

George Kell Reid, Jr., research file, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL.

Location of this collection:
140 7th Avenue South
St. Petersburg
FL
33701
USA