The collection originated in the desire of Dr. David J. Schmidly to place copies of the documents generated by the United States Bureau of Biological Survey's investigations in Texas in an archive more accessible to those with an interest in Texas natural history. The original records are housed at the Smithsonian Institution Archives in Washington D. C. In addition to acquiring copies of the original material, the project also accomplished preparation of computerized data bases of the reports and photographs. Eventually the project resulted in the publication in 2002 of Schmidly's Texas Natural History: A Century of Change. The work includes an annotated reprint of the 1905 report Biological Survey of Texas. Dr. David J. Schmidly is a Texas Tech University graduate and was the University's thirteenth President. He is currently serving as President and CEO of Oklahoma State University. Dr. Schmidly is a biologist and has published a number of works on Texas mammals.
From the guide to the Biological Survey of Texas Records, S 1633. 1., 1889-1939, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University, )
