Ridgway, Dr. Richard L., Papers, 1856-2015 and undated

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10605/282495

This page contains a detailed bibliography and inventory of all items included in the Dr. Richard L. Ridgway Papers, 1865-2015 and undated, as well as related catalogued items.

Scope and Content

The Dr. Richard L. Ridgway Papers consists of materials documenting his education, career, and service to various organizations. Educational documentation includes newspaper articles and clippings, excerpts from periodicals, awards and diplomas, and assorted dissertations and theses related to his research interests in agriculture and pest management.

The collection bulks with documents pertaining to his involvement as a researcher. Prominent among these are his work with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University, and the USDA. Insect and pest management, particularly relating to the boll weevil, are the topics of the majority of the research materials and publications. A similarly large volume of material pertains to his work with the estate of Charles Valentine Riley and Cathryn Vidalia Riley, including his many years of service with the Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Foundation (RMF.) These include legal documents, financial material, and pamphlets, schedules, and memos conerning lectures and special events.

Chapters from Dr. Ridgway’s memoir, A Rich and Rewarding Journey, are also included.

The item contained in this digital collection is a detailed inventory of the Papers, as well as of its correlating cataloged books, periodicals, and related materials.

Biographical Sketch

Richard L. Ridgway was raised on a stock farm near Brownfield, Texas. After receiving a BS degree from Texas Tech University and MS and PhD degrees from Cornell University, he served on the faculty of Texas A&M University and in research and leadership positions for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Texas and Maryland. As a research scientist specializing in entomology, he made significant contributions to biological insect controls, regulation of pesticides and pest management, and has published extensively. Ridgway has been honored as the recipient of the Geigy Recognition Award for Outstanding Contributions to Agriculture, the USDA Science and Education Award for Special Achievement, the USDA Superior Service Unit Award, and the American Registry of Professional Entomologists Outstanding Award for Pest Management. He is also a recipient of the Outstanding Agriculturist for Public Service Award presented by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University.

Ridgway is President Emeritus of the Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Foundation (RMF), a non-profit corporation. In his role with RMF, he initiated collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the World Food Prize Foundation to promote a broader and more complete understanding of agriculture and to demonstrate the importance of scientific knowledge. As a part of his continuing interest in the South Plains of Texas, he coordinated the design, fund raising, and construction of Hamilton Park in Brownfield on land that belonged to his grandparents who came to Terry County in 1902. This educational park is built around the theme of “A Rich Heritage and Promising Future.” In addition, Ridgway and his wife Donna are involved in the management of family farms in Terry County, where cotton, peanuts, and grain sorghum are grown.

Organization

The collection is organized by the following series: Texas Tech University, Cornell University, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Insects and Pest Management, Boll Weevil and Pest Management, Charles Valentine Riley (CVR).

Restrictions

Open for research

Index Terms

The subject headings used by the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library are derived from the Library of Congress and/or are locally developed.

Subjects (Persons)