KARL T. FREDERICK PAPERS

Collection

Identifier: CONS36

Staff Only

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Karl T. Frederick collection contains items from the years 1930-1962. Included in the collection are correspondence, newspaper clippings, reports, and meeting minutes from the many conservation organizations to which Frederick belonged.

The items that make up this collection provide information about the various activities of New York conservation groups, and specifically about one of their leaders, Karl Frederick. Many of these efforts involve working for legislation to protect natural resources, writing articles about the state of conservation in New York, or planning meetings or conferences to get more information to those interested. The papers of the New York State Conservation Council comprise the biggest portion of the collection. This group’s annual conventions are the focal point of this portion of the collection.

Also included are correspondence, newsletters, and articles by members of the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, which was Frederick’s home area. These items from specific organizations, in addition to the general correspondence to and from Frederick, present an image of the daily work involved in the conservation movement, the sometimes contentious meetings, and the great devotion that Frederick had to the environment of his home state.

SERIES 1 CORRESPONDENCE AND NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS 1936-1960 BOX 1

Frederick’s written communication with various correspondents is included in this portion of the collection. Most of these communications are letters, although there are several telegrams included. Many of these items deal with Frederick’s service with the New York State Conservation Council, while others concern articles written, potential conservation efforts, and events in Frederick’s life. Also included in this series are newspaper clippings from New York newspapers. Most of the articles are from Edmund Gillian’s Rod and Gun column which was carried in the New York Herald Tribune.

SERIES 2 REFERENCE FILES ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 1930-1962 BOX 1-2

This portion of the collection is made up of correspondence, reports, programs, and press clippings that are directly related to the many organizations that Frederick was involved with. Included in these organizations and agencies are the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks and the State of New York Conservation Department. The largest portion of this series is comprised of items relating to the New York State Conservation Council. Several folders contain correspondence, programs, brochures, and speeches given at the Conservation Council’s yearly conventions (1956-1962). Also included in this series are several items regarding proposed New York conservation legislation and the revocation of hunting or fishing licenses in the state of New York.

Dates

1930-1962

ACCESS:

The collection is open for research.

OWNERSHIP:

Literary rights and copyrights have been assigned to the Denver Public Library.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Karl T. Frederick was a lawyer by trade, but is most remembered for his conservation activities on behalf of the Adirondack Mountain region of New York State. His efforts involved leadership positions in many of the regional conservation groups and advocacy on behalf of hunters’ rights to bear arms.

Frederick was born in Franklin County, New York on February 2, 1881. He spent his childhood in the Adirondack Mountains and along the shore of Lake Champlain. He attended Princeton University, where he earned his master’s degree in economics in 1904. He then enrolled at Harvard Law School, from which he graduated in 1908. He practiced law in New York City, where he was a partner in the firm of Kobbe, Thatcher, Frederick, and Hoar.

Frederick was a member of the 1920 U.S. Olympic Pistol and Revolver Team. He participated in the Antwerp, Belgium Olympics where he won a gold metal in the 50- meter free pistol. He was later a member of the American Olympic Committee and served as president of the National Rifle Association.

Conservation of New York natural resources was Frederick’s avocation. He was a founder and president of the New York State Conservation Council and served for 26 years as a member or president of the American Forestry Council. He was also a long time member and president of the Camp Fire Club of America and a member of the Boone and Crockett Club.

Karl T. Frederick died at home in Rye, New York in February 1963.