Burbank , Luther, 1849-1926

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Botanist, horticulturist, and naturalist.

From the description of Luther Burbank papers, 1830-1989 (bulk 1880-1926). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70981669

Luther Burbank began his work in horticulture in his birthplace, Lancaster, Massachusetts, where he raised seeds and vegetables for market. He moved to Santa Rosa, California in 1875 in order to pursue his work in a warmer climate. Burbank became world famous for his timesaving methods of plant breeding and grafting, especially orchard stock. In 1928, Burbank's garden office was moved to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan, a gift of his widow Elizabeth Waters Burbank.

From the description of Luther Burbank papers, 1883-1938. (The Henry Ford). WorldCat record id: 19092631

"Laura Harlan was Mrs. Warren Harding's secretary."

From the description of Luther Burbank letter to Laura Harlan : Santa Rosa, Calif., and related material : LS, 1923 Apr. 11. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 25528881

Burbank was an American plant breeder.

From the description of Autograph, ca. 1900. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83960107

Burbank was a horticulturist.

From the description of Signature, ca. 1927. (Natural History Museum Foundation, Los Angeles County). WorldCat record id: 23239272

Biographical Note

  • 1849, Mar. 7: Born, Lancaster, Mass.
  • 1871: Opened plant nursery in Lunenburg, Mass.
  • 1871 - 1875 : Developed the Burbank potato
  • 1875: Moved to Santa Rosa, Calif.
  • 1890: Married Helen Coleman (divorced 1896)
  • 1893: Published first descriptive seed catalog, New Creations
  • 1904 - 1906 : Visiting lecturer, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.
  • 1905 - 1910 : Awarded $10,000 annual stipend by the Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C.
  • 1914 - 1915 : Published Luther Burbank, His Methods and Discoveries and Their Practical Application (New York: Luther Burbank Press. 12 vols.)
  • 1916: Married Elizabeth Waters
  • 1926, Apr. 11: Died, Santa Rosa, Calif.
  • 1927: Posthumous publication with Wilbur Hall of The Harvest of the Years (Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 296 pp.)

From the guide to the Luther Burbank Papers, 1830-1989, (bulk 1880-1926), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Biographical note

Luther Burbank was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, on March 7, 1849. He arrived in San Francisco in 1875, and settled in Santa Rosa Valley. In 1878 he purchased 4 acres of land in Santa Rosa, and later purchased 16 acres of land near what is now Sebastopol, where he established Burbank’s Experiment Farms. He became highly successful in growing and modifying thousands of types of plants. He died on April 11, 1926. Source: History of Sonoma County, California: Its People and Its Resources. (Santa Rosa, CA: Democrat, 1937.), 412-19.

From the guide to the Burbank, Luther Correspondence, March 17, 1904, (Society of California Pioneers)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Caplan, Albert J. (Albert Joseph), 1908-. Papers, (1919-1942). Temple University Libraries, Paley Library
creatorOf Luther Burbank Papers, 1830-1989, (bulk 1880-1926) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn LUTHER BURBANK National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Nature Study, Luther Burbank / Irrigation National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Banér, Johan G. R. (Johan Gustav Runeskeold), 1861-1938. Johan Gustav Runeskeold Banér papers, 1890-1938. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Luther Burbank photograph, after 1900.
creatorOf Osborn, Hal G. Hal G. Osborn accounts, 1891-1899. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn LUTHER BURBANK National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Maye, May Benedict. May Benedict Maye papers, ca. 1901-1942. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Maxim, Hudson, 1853-1927. Hudson Maxim papers, 1883-1927, bulk (1890s-1927). Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn LUTHER BURBANK National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Welch, Charles, 1848-1924. Material relating to Luther Burbank, [ca. 1909-1912]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Leib, Samuel Franklin, 1848-1924. Samuel Franklin Leib papers, 1881-1920. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Invitation 1915-1916. San Francisco, Cal. to Mr. [Edwin] Markham, [Staten Island] / Luther Burbank. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
referencedIn Hudson Maxim papers, 1883-1927, 1890s-1927 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. AMsS, 1912 September 15 : Santa Rosa, California. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn H. S. (Herbert Spencer) Jennings papers, ca. 1893-1947, Circa 1893-1947 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn W. J. V. (Winthrop John Van Leuven) Osterhout papers, 1894-1961, 1894-1961 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Sawyer, Eugene T. (Eugene Taylor), 1846-1924. Eugene T. Sawyer papers, 1900-1920. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Jennings, H. S. (Herbert Spencer), 1868-1947. Papers, ca. 1893-1947. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn David Starr Jordan papers, 1861-1964 Cecil H. Green Library. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company correspondence and records, 1832-1944. Houghton Library
referencedIn Williams, W. C. Luther Burbank: a reminiscence : ms. S., 1948 June 2. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Henry Meade Bland Papers, ca. 1905-1931 Bancroft Library
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Luther Burbank papers, 1883-1938. The Henry Ford, Benson Ford Research Center
creatorOf Park, Alice, 1861-1961. Papers of Alice Park, 1798-1953 (bulk 1902-1920). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn James Rolph, Jr. papers, 1904-1934, bulk 1911-1930 California historical society
referencedIn Barry, James H. (James Henry), 1855-1927. James H. Barry papers, 1889-1957 (bulk 1906-1927). UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Johan G.R. Banér papers, 1890-1938 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Jordan, David Starr, 1851-1931. David Starr Jordan papers, 1861-1964. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Luther Burbank / Irrigation National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Bull, Coates Preston, 1872-. Coates Preston Bull papers, 1912-1938. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
referencedIn Ben B. Lindsey papers Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Osterhout, W. J. V. (Winthrop John Van Leuven), 1871-1964. Papers, 1894-1961. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Century Company records New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn VISIT FOR LUTHER BURBANK, A. THE GREAT AMERICAN NATURALIST National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Howard, W. L. (Walter Lafayette), b. 1872. Papers relating to Walter Howard's biography of Luther Burbank. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Records of the U.S. Information Agency. 1900 - 2003. Sound Recordings Relating to "Studio One" Broadcasts. 1955 - 2003. Luther Burbank National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Immigration Restriction League (U.S.) records, 1893-1921 Houghton Library
referencedIn Dickenson, Doris M. Colonel James Boydston Armstrong: A Man of Vision. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Luther Burbank letters to Sam P. Lovett, 1909. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn [Santa Rosa Municipal Airport dedication, May 18-19, 1929, Santa Rosa, California : collection of envelopes]. Sonoma County Library
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Bunnell, Katherine Mapes. Bunnell-Mapes family papers, 1821-1966 (bulk 1870-1907). UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Wolfe, Mabel, 1893-. Oral history interview with Mabel Wolfe, 1978 November 30. University of North Texas Library, UNT
referencedIn Henry Meade Bland Papers, ca. 1905-1931 Bancroft Library
referencedIn Arizona Scenes / Luther Burbank Experimental Farm / Irrigation and Gold Panning in Arizona / Austin, Texas / Elephant Butte Dam, Arizona / River Scenes, Missouri National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James), 1848-1923. Edward J. Wickson papers, 1874-1923 (bulk 1900-1920). University of California, Davis, Shields Library
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Signature, ca. 1927. Natural History Museum Los Angeles County Foundation, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
creatorOf Somers, Kate Burbank. Luther Burbank miscellany, 1899-1913. California historical society
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Letter 1915, Aug. 23, Santa Rosa, Cal. to Mr. Edwin Markham, Staten Island / Luther Burbank. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
referencedIn DEMOCRACY IN EDUCATION National Archives at College Park
referencedIn James H. Barry papers, 1889-1957, (bulk 1906-1927) Bancroft Library
referencedIn Samuel Franklin Leib papers, 1881-1920 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Typed letter signed Luther Burbank to: "Hugh Fullerton" August 18, 1925. Wellesley College
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Invitation 1915-1916. San Francisco, Cal. to Mr. [Edwin] Markham, [Staten Island] / Luther Burbank. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
creatorOf Burbank, Luther Correspondence, March 17, 1904 Society of California Pioneers
referencedIn Open Court Publishing Company. Open Court Publishing Company records, 1886-1998, (bulk 1887-1920). Southern Illinois University, Morris Library
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. To whom it may concern ...: Santa Rosa, Calif. : ms., 1903 Dec. 29. California Digital Library
referencedIn Shull, George Harrison, 1874-1954. Papers, 1874-1955. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Thompson, John Waldo, 1841-c1930. John Waldo Thompson Scrapbook, 1895-1928, bulk 1915-1928. University of the Pacific, William Knox Holt Memorial Library
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Letter to Mrs. Victor Burbank, 1922 November 8. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Porches and Parlors district records subgroup, circa 1854-ongoing. The Henry Ford, Benson Ford Research Center
creatorOf Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968. Papers, 1813-1968 (inclusive), 1909-1968 (bulk). Indiana Newspaper Project
referencedIn Democracy In Education / Where and How Fords Are Made National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. [Letter] 1922 November 25, Santa Rosa, Calif. [to] Mr. Harold G. Rugg, Hanover, N.H. / L. Burbank. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Fred A. Rosenstock autograph collection L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Coates Preston Bull papers, 1912-1938 University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc]
creatorOf Stidger, William Leroy, 1885-1949. Letters to William Leroy Stidger, 1917-1949. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Autograph, ca. 1900. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company contracts, 1831-1979 (inclusive) 1880-1940 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Jordan, David Starr, 1851-1931. Papers of David Starr Jordan, 1861-1964. Library of Congress
referencedIn Stanford University. Board of Trustees. Stanford University, Board of Trustees, supporting documents, 1905-2011. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
A Visit with Luther Burbank / The Lumber Industry / California Scenes / Rocky Mountains / Richmond, Virginia / Mt. Rainier National Park / Atlanta, Georgia National Archives at College Park
referencedIn O'Shea, M. V. (Michael Vincent), 1866-1932. Papers, 1883-1932. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Rosewater, Charles,. Luther Burbank Press, preferred stock certificate. Cornell University Library
referencedIn F 870.L3W4 No. 234 Luther Burbank Home and Garden, Sonoma County (1940) National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Edward J. Wickson Papers, 1874-1923, (1900-1920 bulk) University of California, Davis. General Library. . Dept. of Special Collections
referencedIn Gleason, Herbert Wendell, 1855-1937. Herbert Wendell Gleason photographic negatives of or relating to Luther Burbank, horticulturalist, 1909-1923. Concord Free Public Library, Special Collection
referencedIn Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James), 1848-1923. Edward J. Wickson papers, 1868-1923. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Loomis, Charles. George and Cecilia Burlingame papers, 1898-1956. California State University, Northridge
referencedIn Ford Motor Company. Engineering Photographic Dept. Personal for Henry Ford photographs subseries, 1918-1950. The Henry Ford, Benson Ford Research Center
referencedIn Berryman, Mae Baker. [Letter] 1930, Oct. 11, Santa Rosa, Cal. to Mr. EdwinMarkham, Staten Island / Mae Baker Berryman. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
creatorOf Keeler, Charles Augustus, 1871-1937. Papers of Charles Augustus Keeler, 1895-1944. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn New Orleans, Louisiana / The Blue and the Grey (National Reunion and Peace Jubilee of the Veterans of the Civil War, Vicksburg, Mississippi) / Luther Burbank Experimental Farm and Conservatory National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Keil, J. B. Records of Gold Ridge Farm, Sonoma County, California. 1928-198?. Sonoma County Library
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Luther Burbank letter to Miss Harry A.L. Floyde : Santa Rosa, Calif. : L, 1902 Jan. 7. California Digital Library
creatorOf Emmons, Earl H., 1888-. E. H. Emmons letter to Luther Burbank [manuscript], 1913 February. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. Luther Burbank letter to Laura Harlan : Santa Rosa, Calif., and related material : LS, 1923 Apr. 11. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Sonoma County Library. Luther Burbank memorial postage stamp, April 1940 : newspaper clippings. Sonoma County Library
referencedIn George Harrison Shull papers, 1874-1955, 1874-1955 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Ford Motor Company. Dearborn Engineering Library. Engineering Library Vertical File for Henry Ford collection, 1870-1945 (bulk 1935-1944) The Henry Ford, Benson Ford Research Center
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
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associatedWith Aylesworth, Barton O. (Barton Orville), 1860-1933 person
correspondedWith Bailey, L. H. (Liberty Hyde), 1858-1954 person
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correspondedWith Barry, James H. (James Henry), 1855-1927. person
associatedWith Bean, Burt C. (Burt Clifford), b. 1874. person
associatedWith Berryman, Mae Baker. person
associatedWith Bland, Henry Meade, 1863-1931 person
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associatedWith Burbank family. family
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associatedWith Burbank, Luther, 1849-1926. person
correspondedWith Burpee, W. Atlee (Washington Atlee), 1858-1915 person
associatedWith Caplan, Albert J. (Albert Joseph), 1908- person
correspondedWith Century Company corporateBody
correspondedWith Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel, 1853-1935 person
associatedWith Dickenson, Doris M. person
correspondedWith Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931 person
associatedWith Emmons, Earl H., 1888- person
correspondedWith Fairchild, David, 1869-1954 person
correspondedWith Firestone, Harvey Samuel, 1868-1938 person
associatedWith Floyde, Harry A. L., Miss. person
correspondedWith Ford, Henry, 1863-1947 person
associatedWith Ford Motor Company. Dearborn Engineering Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Ford Motor Company. Engineering Photographic Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith Fullerton, Hugh S. (Hugh Stuart), 1873-1945. person
associatedWith Gleason, Herbert Wendell, 1855-1937. person
associatedWith Houghton Mifflin Company. corporateBody
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correspondedWith Houghton Mifflin Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Howard, W. L. (Walter Lafayette), b. 1872. person
correspondedWith Husbands, José D. person
correspondedWith Immigration Restriction League (U.S.). corporateBody
associatedWith Jennings, H. S. (Herbert Spencer), 1868-1947. person
associatedWith Jordan, David Starr, 1851-1931. person
associatedWith Keeler, Charles Augustus, 1871-1937. person
associatedWith Keil, J. B. person
correspondedWith Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 person
correspondedWith Kellogg, Vernon L. (Vernon Lyman), 1867-1937 person
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associatedWith Leib, Samuel Franklin, 1848-1924. person
correspondedWith Lemmon, J. G. (John Gill), 1832-1908 person
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correspondedWith London, Charmian person
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correspondedWith London, Jack, 1876-1916 person
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associatedWith Maxim, Hudson, 1853-1927. person
associatedWith Maye, May Benedict. person
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correspondedWith Open Court Publishing Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Osborn, Hal G. person
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correspondedWith Provine, William B. person
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correspondedWith Samu, Spiegel person
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correspondedWith Vries, Hugo de, 1848-1935 person
associatedWith Waters, Elizabeth Marie. person
correspondedWith Waugh, F. A. (Frank Albert), 1869-1943 person
associatedWith Welch, Charles, 1848-1924. person
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correspondedWith Wilcox, Ella Wheeler, 1850-1919 person
associatedWith Williams, W. C. person
correspondedWith Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924 person
associatedWith Wolfe, Mabel, 1893- person
correspondedWith Woodward, Robert Simpson, 1849-1924 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Santa Rosa CA US
Lancaster MA US
Subject
Bookplates
Botany
Botony
Fruit culture
Horticulture
Horticulturists
Naturalists
Nurseries (Horticulture)
Nurseries (Horticulture)
Plant breeders
Plant breeders
Plant-breeding
Plants
Postmasters
Seeds
Occupation
Botanists
Horticulturists
Activity

Person

Birth 1849-03-07

Death 1926-04-11

Americans

Information

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