The Litchfield Collection on the History of Fatty Materials
Date: 1569-2007 (bulk dates 1970-2000)
Collection Abstract: As a scientist Carter Litchfield (1932-2007) studied and specialized in edible fats. During the mid- to late 1950s Litchfield worked in the Edible Research Section of the Chemical Division of Proctor & Gamble. His work there centered on shortening products like Crisco and margarine oils. Litchfield left Procter & Gamble to work at Texas A&M where he earned his Ph.D. He then became a professor of biochemistry at Rutgers University. Litchfield’s research there centered on an interest in fatty materials that he acquired while working for Procter & Gamble and he focused on oils in marine mammals and aquatic sponges. Litchfield retired from Rutgers in 1979 and he pursued a career as a historian of edible oils, its production and use. This new career led him to write and publish a number of books about oil mills in the United States and abroad. In the process Litchfield built an interesting and significant collection of books, manuscripts, and ephemera relating to the history of fatty materials.
Collection Size: Approximately 350 linear feet
Access: Most of the collection is open for research - portions are subject to a twenty-five year time seal. The following resources about the collection are available online:
Finding aid for the manuscript collection
Inventory for pictorial collection
Inventory for oleomargarine tax Stamp collection
Digital collection
List of printed and published materials in Hagley's online catalog
Accession Number: 2413, 2007.227
Contact: Ask Hagley or 302-658-2400 ext 330 for more information
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