Special Collections Research Center
Sewell Hopkins Papers
Hopkins, Sewell Hepburn, 1906-1984
Mss. 85 Se8
/repositories/2/resources/8879
33.00 Linear Feet
1881-1984
English
General
Other Information:
A PDF document of this inventory is available online.
Additional information may be found at http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/findingaids/85_Se8_Hopkins_Sewell.pdf
Biographical Information:
Sewell Hepburn Hopkins (1906-1984), a marine biologist best known for his research into the effects of oil spills on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico, was born 24 March 1906 in Nuttall, Va., the son of Nicholas Snowden Hopkins and Selina Lloyd Hepburn Hopkins. He received a B.S. in 1927 from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., followed by the M.A. in 1930 and the Ph.D. in Zoology in 1933 from the University of Illinois. In 1930 Hopkins married Pauline Cole and they had two sons, Thomas Johns Hopkins (b. 28 July 1930) and Nicholas Arthur Hopkins (b. 4 Sep. 1936).
Hopkins was appointed as a Biology Instructor at Danville Junior College in Virginia (1933-1935), but in 1935 he transferred to the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now Texas A & M University. Hopkins remained on the faculty at Texas A & M University as an Instructor, then Associate Professor until 1947, when he was promoted to Professor of Biology, a position he held until his retirement in 1972.
Perhaps the highlight of Hopkins' career was when he was appointed Director of Research Project 9 with the Texas A & M Research Foundation (1947-1950). His research interests included parasitology; taxonomy, morphology and life history of trematodes; life history of crabs; oyster biology; and ecology of estuaries. Hopkins was made Professor Emeritus of Texas A & M University in 1972. He died 15 Nov. 1984. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Acquisition Information:
Gifts of 31 Aug. 1985, 15 April 1986, and 20 May 1986.
Processing Information:
Processed by Tom Scott and Ywone Edwards during 1988-89.
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Sewell Hopkins Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Related Materials:
See also the Sewell H. Hopkins Papers, Oyster Mortality Reports, Texas A&M University; and the Sewell Hopkins Reports, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Scope and Contents
Dates; 1881-1984; personal and professional papers of Sewell Hepburn Hopkins (1906-1984), a marine biologist and Professor of Biology at Texas A & M University (1935-1972), best known for his research into the effects of oil spills on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. His papers document his professional career, but focus on Research Project 9 (1947-1950), headed by Hopkins and sponsored by the Texas A & M University Research Foundation, regarding abnormally high mortality rates in oyster beds harvested by Louisiana oystermen. One of at least four major research projects initiated as a result of lawsuits filed in 1946 by Louisiana oystermen against major oil companies active in offshore drilling in the Gulf Mexico, Project 9 resulted in the identification and published description (1950) of a newly discovered parasite called Dermocystidium marinum. The lawsuits against the oil companies were subsequently dropped or settled out of court.
Correspondence
Oil drilling
Marine biologists
Project 9, Gulf of Mexico
College of William and Mary--Alumni and alumnae
Box 1id141544/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024321Hopkins and Family Miscellaneous Documentsid141546/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024361881-197811AScope and ContentsScope and Contents Handwritten deed to Waverly, 1881; typescript history of Waverly, undated; birth certificate of Sewell Hopkins; newspaper clippings, 1888; and Hepborn Family History. 10 items.
Biographical Sketch, Family Memoriesid141547/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024371970, 197911BScope and Contents2 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141548/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024381919-192912Scope and Contents32 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141550/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024391930-193513Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141551/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024401936-193714Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141553/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024411940-194115Scope and Contents22 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141554/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024421942-194816Scope and Contents15 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141555/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024431955-195917Scope and Contents25 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141557/repositories/2/archival_objects/402444196118Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141558/repositories/2/archival_objects/402445196219Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141559/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024461963-1964 January110Scope and Contents19 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141560/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024471964 March-December111Scope and Contents15 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141561/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024481965112Scope and Contents19 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141562/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024491966 January-February113Scope and Contents9 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141563/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024501966 March-December114Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141565/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024511967-1968115Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141567/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024521969 January - September116Scope and Contents11 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141568/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024531969 November-December117Scope and Contents9 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141570/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024541970118Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141571/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024551971-1972119Scope and Contents20 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141572/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024561973 January-June120Scope and Contents8 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141573/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024571973 August-December121Scope and Contents12 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141578/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024581974 January-June122Scope and Contents16 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141579/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024591974 August-October123Scope and Contents13 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141581/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024601975 November-1974 January124Scope and Contents22 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141582/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024611975 February-May125Scope and Contents11 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141583/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024621975 July-October126Scope and Contents7 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141584/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024631976 January-August127Scope and Contents16 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141585/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024641976 September 8-20128Scope and Contents24 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141586/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024651976 September 21-28129Scope and Contents16 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141587/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024661976 October 1-17130Scope and Contents14 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141589/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024671976 October 19-27131Scope and Contents15 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141590/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024681976 November 2-13132Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141591/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024691976 November 14 - December 22133Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141592/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024701977 January 1-13134Scope and Contents16 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141593/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024711977 January 14-23135Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141594/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024721977 February136Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141596/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024731977 March137Scope and Contents15 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141597/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024741977 April138Scope and Contents15 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141598/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024751977 May 1-14139Scope and Contents15 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141599/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024761977 May 15-31140Scope and Contents11 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141601/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024771977 June141Scope and Contents43 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141602/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024781977 July142Scope and Contents12 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141604/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024791977 August143Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141605/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024801977 September144Scope and Contents20 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141606/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024811977 October 4-12145Scope and Contents16 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141607/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024821977 October 15-31146Scope and Contents12 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141608/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024831977 November 4-21147Scope and Contents12 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141609/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024841977 November 25-30148Scope and Contents10 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141611/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024851977 December 1-12149Scope and Contents14 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141612/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024861977 December 14-19150Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141613/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024871977 December 20-31151Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141615/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024881978 January 1-10152Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141616/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024891978 January 11-27153Scope and Contents22 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141617/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024901978 February154Scope and Contents26 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141618/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024911978 March155Scope and Contents24 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141619/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024921978 April156Scope and Contents11 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141620/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024931978 May-June157Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141621/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024941978 July158Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141622/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024951978 August159Scope and Contents34 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141623/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024961978 September160Scope and Contents15 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141624/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024971978 October161Scope and Contents22 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141625/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024981978 November162Scope and Contents28 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141626/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024991978 December 1-11163Scope and Contents24 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141630/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025001978 December 13-17164Scope and Contents28 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141631/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025011978 December 18-19165Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141632/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025021978 December 20-21166Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141633/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025031978 December 22-31167Scope and Contents15 items.
Box 2id141635/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024332Personal Correspondenceid141636/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025041979 January21Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141637/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025051979 February22Scope and Contents15 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141638/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025061979 March-April23Scope and Contents33 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141639/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025071979 May24Scope and Contents27 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141640/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025081979 June25Scope and Contents25 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141641/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025091979 July26Scope and Contents31 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141642/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025101979 August27Scope and Contents30 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141643/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025111979 September28Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141644/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025121979 October29Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141646/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025131979 November210Scope and Contents26 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141647/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025141979 December211Scope and Contents16 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141648/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025151980 January212Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141649/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025161980 February213Scope and Contents20 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141651/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025171980 March-April214Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141652/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025181980 May-June215Scope and Contents24 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141653/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025191980 July-August216Scope and Contents25 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141654/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025201980 September 1-17217Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141655/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025211980 September 24-30218Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141656/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025221980 October219Scope and Contents31 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141657/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025231980 November220Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141658/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025241980 December221Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141659/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025251981 January222Scope and Contents35 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141660/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025261981 February223Scope and Contents20 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141661/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025271981 March 1-15224Scope and Contents22 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141663/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025281981 March 16-30225Scope and Contents20 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141664/repositories/2/archival_objects/402529April 1981226Scope and Contents24 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141665/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025301981 May 1-15227Scope and Contents22 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141666/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025311981 May 18-23228Scope and Contents22 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141667/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025321981 June 1-12229Scope and Contents20 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141668/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025331981 June 15-30230Scope and Contents16 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141669/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025341981 July 3-20231Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141670/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025351981 July 21-29232Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141672/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025361981 August233Scope and Contents27 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141673/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025371981 September 1-16234Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141674/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025381981 September 17-29235Scope and Contents20 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141675/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025391981 October 1-17236Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141676/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025401981 October 18 - November 23237Scope and Contents30 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141677/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025411981 December 1-14238Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141678/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025421981 December 18-30239Scope and Contents24 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141994/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025431982 January240Scope and Contents36 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141995/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025441982 February241Scope and Contents19 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141996/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025451982 March242Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141997/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025461982 April243Scope and Contents22 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141998/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025471982 May244Scope and Contents29 items.
Personal Correspondenceid141999/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025481982 June245Scope and Contents36 items.
Box 3id142000/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024343Personal Correspondenceid142001/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025491982 July 1-1231Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142002/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025501982 July 17-3132Scope and Contents25 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142003/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025511982 August33Scope and Contents29 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142004/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025521982 September 1-1334Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142005/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025531982 September 15-2635Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142006/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025541982 October 1-1336Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142007/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025551982 October 18-3037Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142008/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025561982 November38Scope and Contents22 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142009/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025571982 December39Scope and Contents20 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142010/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025581983 January310Scope and Contents33 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142011/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025591983 February311Scope and Contents16 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142012/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025601983 March312Scope and Contents37 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142013/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025611983 April313Scope and Contents34 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142014/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025621983 May314Scope and Contents37 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142015/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025631983 June315Scope and Contents35 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142016/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025641983 July316Scope and Contents17 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142017/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025651983 August317Scope and Contents29 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142018/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025661983 September318Scope and Contents30 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142019/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025671983 October319Scope and Contents30 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142020/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025681983 November-December320Scope and Contents33 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142021/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025691984 January321Scope and Contents36 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142022/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025701984 February322Scope and Contents36 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142023/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025711984 March323Scope and Contents26 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142024/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025721984 April324Scope and Contents25 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142025/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025731984 May 1-14325Scope and Contents39 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142026/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025741984 May 15-29326Scope and Contents38 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142027/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025751984 June327Scope and Contents21 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142028/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025761984 July 1-13328Scope and Contents30 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142029/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025771984 July 15-31329Scope and Contents27 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142030/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025781984 August - Septembe330Scope and Contents41 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142031/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025791984 October - November331Scope and Contents32 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142032/repositories/2/archival_objects/402580undated332Scope and Contents19 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142033/repositories/2/archival_objects/402581undated333Scope and Contents23 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142034/repositories/2/archival_objects/402582undated334Scope and Contents18 items.
Personal Correspondenceid142035/repositories/2/archival_objects/402583undated335Scope and Contents18 items.
Correspondence pertaining to River's Edgeid142036/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025841966 February-1970 June336Scope and Contents31 items.
Correspondence pertaining to River's Edgeid142037/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025851970 July-December337Scope and Contents25 items.
Correspondence pertaining to River's Edgeid142038/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025861971 January-April338Scope and Contents28 items.
Correspondence pertaining to River's Edgeid142039/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025871971 July-1972 September339Scope and Contents27 items.
Correspondence pertaining to River's Edgeid142040/repositories/2/archival_objects/402588undated340Scope and Contents7 items. Also includes miscellaneous family papers.
Box 4id142041/repositories/2/archival_objects/4024354Professional Correspondenceid142042/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025891938-193941Scope and Contents13 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142043/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025901940-194442Scope and Contents28 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142044/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025911945-194643Scope and Contents13 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142045/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025921947 January44Scope and Contents6 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142046/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025931947 February45Scope and Contents16 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142047/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025941947 March 2-1046Scope and Contents22 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142048/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025951947 March 13-2047Scope and Contents24 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142049/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025961947 March 21-3148Scope and Contents31 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142050/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025971947 April 1-749Scope and Contents42 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142051/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025981947 April 8-14410Scope and Contents47 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142052/repositories/2/archival_objects/4025991947 April 15-30411Scope and Contents36 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142053/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026001947 May 1-6412Scope and Contents31 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142054/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026011947 May 7-13413Scope and Contents40 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142055/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026021947 May 14-19414Scope and Contents29 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142056/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026031947 May 20-25415Scope and Contents30 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142057/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026041947 May 26-31416Scope and Contents34 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142058/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026051947 June 2-10417Scope and Contents37 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142059/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026061947 June 11-15418Scope and Contents35 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142060/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026071947 June 16-19419Scope and Contents45 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142061/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026081947 June 20-25420Scope and Contents33 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142062/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026091947 June 26-30421Scope and Contents26 items.
Professional Correspondenceid142063/repositories/2/archival_objects/4026101947 July 1-6422Scope and Contents45 items.
Box 5/repositories/2/archival_objects/448453English5Box 6/repositories/2/archival_objects/448454English625 boxes/repositories/2/archival_objects/448451English25 boxesScope and Contents22 boxes without inventories. Stored off site.
Oversize Folder/repositories/2/archival_objects/448450SOSS 55f-hEnglish1Scope and ContentsTwo maps, both of TerreBonne, Louisiana. One of Bay St. Elaine Field and one of Dog Cake Dome.