Cornell University Payment Delinquency Warning to Botanist William Russel Dudley, Who Would Later Teach at Cornell Himself

Ithaca, NY: By the author, 1874. Printed document, partially filled in manuscript in black ink; 7 3/4 x 5; single sheet, text to recto only; two faint, horizontal crease lines and very light dust-dulling to verso; in very good to near fine condition.Interesting, in light of his later achievements, the warning addressed botanist William Russel Dudley (1849 - 1911) during his last year as a student at Cornell University. It was said that he had paid his way by milking cows at the university's farm. His roommate was the future first President of Stanford University David Starr Jordan. By 1884, Dudley would be an assistant professor of botany at Cornell and a full professor at the Martha's Vineyard Summer Institute. In 1892, he would move to California to join his friend as Head of the Stanford Department of Systematic Botany. There, he would build a collection, the base of present day Dudley Herbarium, which is still considered one of the most important contributions to the study of the flora of California.The note sternly proclaimed: "W. R. Dudley, You will please call at my office and pay Tuition, etc., without delay. In accordance with instructions from the Executive Committe [sic.], I shall be compelled in a short time to send a list of delinquents to the Faculty."