Marvin N. Shearer Papers, 1918-1995

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Shearer, Marvin N.
Title
Marvin N. Shearer Papers
Dates
1918-1995 (inclusive)
1950-1990 (bulk)
Quantity
4.5 cubic feet, including 350 photographs, (6 boxes, including 1 oversize box)
Collection Number
MSS Shearer
Summary
The Marvin N. Shearer Papers consist of materials created or assembled by Shearer documenting his research in irrigation technology and involvement in the professional community as well as water resource issues in the Northwest. Shearer was an Irrigation Specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service from 1952 until his retirement in 1982.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Marvin N. Shearer earned a BS degree in agricultural engineering at Oregon State College in 1948. Two years later, in 1950, he began his Oregon State career as the Assistant County Extension Agent in Jefferson County. In 1952, he was appointed as the Extension Irrigation Specialist, a position he held until his retirement in 1982. Shearer completed an MS degree at Michigan State University in 1961. Shearer's research focussed on irrigation technology; he designed sprinkler irrigation equipment and systems and was instrumental in development of the research program on irrigation optimization at Oregon State. He served as a consultant for irrigation projects in the United States as well as internationally.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Marvin N. Shearer Papers consist of materials created or assembled by Shearer documenting his research in irrigation technology and participation in the professional community of irrigation researchers. The collection also includes materials pertaining to water resource issues in Oregon and the Northwest. The Papers include articles written by Shearer, Extension Service publications, committee records, conference proceedings, industry magazines and journals, newspaper clippings, photographs, reference materials, speeches, and technical reports. Materials pertaining to water resources in Oregon, including a series of reports on Oregon's long-range water requirements; a soil survey of Umatilla County; and materials from the Willamette Basin Project Committee are also included. The collection includes a list of Shearer's publications.

The photographs depict various aspects of irrigation, including images of sprinker systems; dams and reservoirs in Oregon; equipment demonstrations; and professional conferences. The photographs are primarily b/w prints; some 4x5 camera negatives are included.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Marvin N. Shearer Papers, Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Processing Note

This collection is not fully processed; this guide is preliminary.

Acquisition Information

The papers were donated to the Archives by Shearer in 2002.

Related Materials

The OSU Archives collections include the papers of many Extension Service faculty and staff as well as the Extension Service Records (RG 111), which include the Extension Irrigation Specialist's reports for 1952-1966. Other collections with materials pertaining specifically to irrigation are the papers of Emery N. Castle, Arthur S. King, and Kenneth A. Rykbost; the Bioresource Engineering Department Records (RG 001) and Photograph Collection (P 106); and the Agricultural Experiment Station Records (RG 025).

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Agricultural extension work--Oregon.
  • Agricultural extension workers--Oregon.
  • Irrigation efficiency--Oregon.
  • Irrigation--Oregon.
  • Microirrigation--Oregon.
  • Sprinkler irrigation--Equipment and supplies.
  • Water resources development--Oregon.
  • Water use--Oregon.

Geographical Names

  • Willamette River Watershed (Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Film negatives.
  • Photographic prints.

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Oregon State College. Federal Cooperative Extension Service. (creator)
    • Oregon State University. Extension Service. (creator)
    • Oregon. Willamette Basin Project Committee. (creator)