Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation

Biographical Note

May Margaret Blaine (christened Mary Margaret Blaine, 1889–1973) worked for 37 years (7 February 1918–27 April 1955) as secretary to successive heads (i.e., David G. Fairchild, Beverly T. Galloway, [Frederick] Wilson Popenoe, John A. Stevenson, Roland McKee, Knowles A. Ryerson, Benjamin Y. Morrison and Carl O. Erlanson) of the Section of Plant Introduction (SPI) at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In a 17 February 1955 letter F. P. Cullinan, chief of branch at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Horticultural Crops Research Branch, Beltsville, Maryland, wrote to Blaine regarding her upcoming retirement:

I can think of no clerical position within any administrative unit more important than that of assisting the Head...since, when properly carried out, it can relieve him [sic] of a large part of the burden of his duties from day to day and allow him leisure to undertake research and other creative work. Certainly the ease with which each new head has been able to assume the responsibilities of his position and understand the scope and policies of the unit must largely depend upon the secretary carried over from the preceding incumbent.

Many of the plant explorers' letters and archival collections held at Hunt Institute are here through her urging. Blaine was also a doll collector, and her extensive personal collection of correspondence (from 1929 to 1964) records hardships during World War II, gender politics of the SPI, and the devotion that the explorers felt toward her — which was often expressed in gifts of dolls.

Scope and Contents Note

This collection consists mainly of personal letters to Blaine and some copies of her replies, discussing the correspondents' work, travel and families and the dolls they purchased for her throughout the world. Correspondents include William Andrew Archer (1894–1973), Harley H. Bartlett (1886–1960), Alan Beetle (1913–2003), Heber Loran Blood (1900–1948), Nina Floy Bracelin (also Mrs. H. P. Bracelin, 1890–1973), Thakur Rup Chand (1902–1994), Winifred Chapin, Carl O. Erlanson (1901–1975), David G. Fairchild (1869–1954), Marian Fairchild (also Mrs. David G. Fairchild, 1886–1962), Beverly T. Galloway (1863–1938), Howard Hyland (1907–1997), Walter Koelz (1895–1989), Atherton Lee (1894–[1960]), Harold F. Loomis (1896–1976), Floyd A. McClure (1897–1970), Ynes Enriquetta Julietta Mexia (1870–1938), Benjamin Y. Morrison (1891–1966; 5 April 1936 letter from W. A. Archer), Katherine Muller (1909–1995), Dorothy Popenoe (also Mrs. [Frederick] Wilson Popenoe, 1899–1932), [Frederick] Wilson Popenoe (1892–1975), Percy L. Ricker (1878–1973), Paul G. Russell (1889–1963), Knowles A. Ryerson (1892–1990), James L. Stephens (1902–1982), Charles F. Swingle (1899–1978) and Harvey L. Westover (1879–1942).

Finding Aid

A finding aid for this collection is available online.

Other Resources

For information about portraits of and biographical citations for the subject, see the Hunt Institute Archives Register of Botanical Biography and Iconography database.