The collection consists of field notebooks kept during Benson's stay and expeditions in Madagascar and mainland Africa, of reprints on African ornithology, and correspondence regarding the classification of the bird collection in the Museum.
Papers and Correspondence of C.W. Benson
Archive Collection
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- ReferenceGB 433 Benson
- Dates of Creation1960-1982
- Name of Creator
- Language of MaterialEnglish.
- Physical DescriptionAbout 5 metres
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Constantine Walter Benson (1909-1982) was educated at Eton and Magdalene College, Cambridge. He entered Colonial Service in 1932 and worked in Malawi and Zambia until his retirement in 1965. Since that time, he worked to re-catalogue the collection of birds in the University Museum of Zoology. He wrote many papers on African ornithology.
Access Information
Manuscripts can be consulted on appointment only. The Museum of Zoology is open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 17:00 pm. Access and reproduction is at the discretion of the Archivist. Some access to this collection may be restricted due to copyright.
Note
Description compiled by Kees Rookmaaker, Archives Hub project archivist. A biography of Benson is found in his book 'Type-specimens of bird skins in the University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge, United Kingdom' edited by J.A. Joysey (1999).
Other Finding Aids
None