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Personal papers of John "Jack" A. Weir

 Collection
Call Number: PP 404

Overview

Jack Weir was a Professor in genetics at the University of Kansas from 1950-1983. This collection includes papers of professional research as well as personal manuscripts, correspondence, and materials of special interests.

Dates

  • Creation: 1904 - 1997

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of John A. Weir (1916-1997)

John "Jack" A. Weir was born April 5, 1916 in Saskatoon, Canada. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.S. in 1937. In 1942, Weir received his Master's degree from Iowa State University. He interrupted his studies and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1943-1945, where he served as a Lieutenant. After the war, Weir returned to Iowa State and completed his Ph.D in 1948.

Much of Weir's research focused on genetic resistance to infection in mice. Weir taught zoology at Iowa State University from 1945-1948. He was a professor in genetics at the University of Kansas from 1950-1984. Weir's achievements included the discovery of sex-ratio factor in mice, his development of inbred strains in mice, and other notable research regarding genetic resistance of mice to various conditions. Weir was awarded several prestigious research grants and traveled worldwide, lecturing at various symposiums and conferences.

In his personal life, John Weir married Ruth Rae Ward in 1946. They had two children, Muriel Ann, born in 1947 and Arnold Ward, born in 1950.

Weir was a member of the Genetics Society of America, the American Genetics Association, Sigma Chi, Phi Sigma, and several other organizations. He was an active associate and avid supporter of the Robert Burns Federation. Weir contributed many articles to several professional journals. Weir also had great interest in travelling, poetry, aviation, photography, and drawing. John Weir passed away in 1997.

Extent

11.5 Linear Feet (12 boxes + 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Russian

Scope and Contents

This collection includes papers and research relating to genetics and sex-ratio studies of mice. Other items include published articles and manuscripts on various scientific subjects. The collection includes personal items as well, such as correspondence, drawings, poetry, and books.

Physical Location

PP 404

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, Ruth Weir, 1999; transfer from cataloged items, 2019.

Related Materials

Consult library staff regarding the availability of related materials such as biographical files, photographs, and scrapbooks.

Source

Title
Guide to the John A. Weir Collection
Subtitle
Personal papers of John "Jack" A. Weir
Author
Finding aid prepared by cmh, 2011. Finding aid encoded by cmh, 2011. Finding aid revised by eear, 2016; cmp, 2022.
Date
2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/1228668961
Preferred citation
John A. Weir Collection, PP 404, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Libraries.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334