Guide to the Admiral Richard E. Byrd Collection, 1926-1993 SPEC.PA.56.0257 Finding aid prepared by Audrey Wimbiscus Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2026 March This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2026-04-08T11:47-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Admiral Richard E. Byrd Collection SPEC.PA.56.0257 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 1.9 Cubic feet 1926-1993 Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd (1888-1957) was a polar explorer who gained fame through his expeditions in Antarctica and the Arctic regions. The Admiral Richard E. Byrd Collection dates from 1926 to 1993, and consists of materials that are about Admiral Byrd; materials include newspaper clippings, photographs of Byrd and polar landscapes on expeditions, a program for a 1940s radio show about Byrd, and art of Byrd including a print showing Byrd in uniform, and a sculpted bust of Byrd. (1) 2.5" letter document box; (1) oversize flat box; (1) artifact; (1) oversize folder English Arrangement of Materials

The Admiral Richard E. Byrd Collection is arranged in chronological order; items with the same date are further arranged in alphabetical order by item title.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.1990.0004: Dr. Esther A. Meacham, 1990 September; Accession No. PA.1993.0004: Source unknown, 1993; Accession No. PA.1997.0004: Robert R. Williams, 1996 August; Accession No. PA.1998.0020: Source unknown, date unknown; Accession No. PA.2003.0003: Charles C. King, 2002 November; Accession No. PA.2003.0011: V. Scott Gilmore, 2003 December; Accession No. PA.2006.0007: United States Navy Historical Center, 2006 June; Accession No. PA.2017.0001: Pamela Theodotou, 2017 January; Accession No. PA.2017.0011: Lynn Royer, 2017 July; Method of acquisition for some contents unknown

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Admiral Richard E. Byrd Collection, SPEC.PA.56.0257, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the University Archives reading room only. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2026 March; Finding aid written by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2026 March

 Biographical Note

Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd (1888-1957) was a polar explorer who gained fame through his expeditions in Antarctica and the Arctic regions, as well as an aviator and officer for the United States Navy. From 1925-1957, Byrd led or participated in seven expeditions in the Arctic regions or Antarctica. Many of Byrd’s earlier expeditions were privately funded while his later expeditions were done in conjunction with the United States government. In addition to the scientific investigations that occurred during these expeditions, the explorations of Antarctica accounted for the discovery of hundreds of thousands of square miles of territory on the continent that were claimed for the United States. Byrd’s expeditions attracted major public attention to himself and the polar regions, leading to extensive media coverage and inspiring commemorative items, fan mail, and several honors and memorials that continued even after his death in 1957.

 Scope and Contents

The Admiral Richard E. Byrd Collection dates from 1926 to 1993, and consists of materials that are about Admiral Byrd. Materials include newspaper clippings, photographs of Byrd and polar landscapes on expeditions, a program for a 1940s radio show about Byrd, and art of Byrd including a print showing Byrd in uniform and a bust sculpture of Byrd. Also included are photographs taken in Washington, D.C. that depict several Byrd memorials there, as well as his gravestone.

 Related Materials Admiral Richard E. Byrd Papers Byrd, Richard Evelyn, 1888-1957 United States. Navy--Officers Busts (sculpture) Explorers--Polar regions--20th century Newspaper clippings Photographs Polar regions--Discovery and exploration--American--20th century Scientific expeditions--Polar regions--20th century United States--Armed Forces--Officers--20th century Portrait photograph inscribed to Bill, Buddy, Betty Texter 1 1 1926-1930 "Byrd Lost Four Hours in Fog," Daily News Polar Flat Items 1 circa 1927 Williams (Robert R.) Admiral Byrd portrait photograph 1 2 circa 1927 Byrd Antarctic expedition landscape photographs 1 3 1928-1939 "Sea Scouts Greet Admiral Byrd" newspaper clipping 1 4 1930s Byrd ticker tape parade photograph 1 5 1930s Sunday Island News Byrd newspaper clippings 1 6 1934-1935 "Adventures with Admiral Byrd" radio show booklet 1 7 1940s Admiral Byrd in uniform print 2 1 1950s-1970s Byrd funeral newspaper clippings 1 8 1957 March de Weldon (Felix) Admiral Byrd painted plaster bust on wood base 1 1970s Scope and Contents

Replica of original bust.

 Washington, D.C. Byrd memorials, grave photographs 1 9 1993