The George John Wallace collection is arranged into the following series: Organizational and Topical files; Correspondence; Pesticides / Michigan Pesticides Council; Writings; Course Materials; and Miscellaneous. Within the organizational files are materials relating to his activities with such groups as the American Ornithologists' Union and the National and Michigan Audubon Society. The topical files concern Wallace's general interest in birds and the study of ornithology. Of some interest are files of documentation collected by Wallace relating to the study of the effect of pesticides on bird populations.
George John Wallace was born December 9, 1906 in Waterbury, Vermont. He graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in zoology (A.B., 1932; M.A., 1933; Ph.D., 1936). His first professional position was as a biologist with the Vermont Fish and Game Service (1936-1937). He then went to Lenox, Massachusetts as director of the Pleasant Valley Sanctuary (1937-1942). In 1942, he came to Michigan State College (now University) as instructor in zoology. He was made full professor in 1954.
A specialist in ornithology, Wallace was an active member of many professional organizations, including the American Ornithologists' Union, the Wilson Ornithological Society, the Michigan Audubon Society, and Michigan Bird Banders. For several years in the 1940s and 50s, Wallace was editor of Jack Pine Warbler, the newsletter of the Michigan Audubon Society. A respected teacher of zoology and ornithology, Wallace was the author of numerous articles and An Introduction to Ornithology considered by many to be the standard textbook in the field of ornithology. In 1979, he published his autobiography entitled My World of Birds: Memoirs of an Ornithologist.
In the course of his research, Wallace became convinced that the mortality of birds on campus and elsewhere was directly related to the use of DDT on trees with Dutch Elm disease. Rachel Carson knew of his research and corresponded with him (unfortunately this correspondence has not survived). Carson respected the work of Wallace and allowed him to read and review the chapter on birds in her indictment of the unregulated use of pesticides Silent Spring.
George J. Wallace died March 8, 1986.
