George Rabb papers
Collection Overview
Assorted materials documenting the career and research of George B. Rabb (1930-2017). Materials include correspondence and files documenting his membership in various biological and conservation organizations worldwide. Research files, including extensive field notebooks, are accompanied by reference files of others' research. Also present are both drafts and final copies of publications he wrote and speeches/presentations he gave over the course of his career. These are accompanied by handwritten notes and by slides and other graphic materials he used in presentations. A number of awards and plaques are present, as are a handful of artifacts. Many files focus on his particular area of interest, amphibian conservation. Missing from the collection are any materials related to his upbringing or private life.
Dates
- Creation: 1928-2017
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1960s-2000s
Creator
Language of Material
Materials predominantly in English; a handful of reference materials in French, German, Spanish, and Dutch.
Access Restrictions
This collection has been minimally processed, but is open for research.
Copyright Notice
The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Biographical Note
George Bernard Rabb (1930 in Charleston, South Carolina – 2017 in Chicago, Illinois), an alumnus of College of Charleston, was an American zoologist and the former director of the Brookfield Zoo from 1976 until 2003. He created the zoo's Education Department and guided zoo's worldwide towards a view of zoos as conservation centers. He was an expert on amphibians, lizards, and wolves. Rabb had affiliations with conservation associations worldwide and was a respected spokesman on wildlife conservation issues. Additionally, Rabb was one of the scientists to start the Species Information System, and worked on the Environmental Protection Act.
Extent
33.84 linear feet (27 cartons, 7 document boxes, 2 slim document boxes, 1 flat box, 1 oversized flat box, 1 slide box)
Abstract
Assorted materials documenting the life and research of George B. Rabb (1930-2017). Rabb, a College of Charleston alumnus, was the director of the Brookfield Zoo and an expert on amphibians, lizards, and wolves. A noted conservationist, he was involved with conservation organizations worldwide. endangered species. Materials include correspondence, research notes, slides, reports by George B. Rabb and others, plaques, awards, documents and related materials regarding his work at the Brookfield Zoo, world-wide conservation groups and other groups and organizations.
Collection Arrangement
- Research and reference, 1928-2001
- Writings and presentations, 1952-2015
- Biographical materials and activities, 1978-2017
- Organizational and professional relationships, 1961-2016
- Amphibian conservation, 1956-2016
Acquisitions Information
Materials donated 2018 by Joshua Mart FNBC Bank and Trust on behalf of the Estate of George Rabb.
Separated Material
Published books originally with the collection have been removed and cataloged separately.
Processing Information
Processed by Lauren Bickel, August 2022.
Source
- Estate of George Rabb (Donor, Organization)
Subject
- Rabb, George B. (George Bernard), 1930-2017 (Person)
- Brookfield Zoo (Ill.) (Organization)
- Title
- Inventory of the George Rabb Papers, 1947-2017
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lauren Bickel
- Date
- 2022
- Description rules
- Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Special Collections
College of Charleston Libraries
66 George Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424
(843) 953-8016
(843) 953-6319 (Fax)