Rare Books Damaged in Apparent Arson
at University of Washington
Some 10,000 books at the University of Washington’s Elisabeth C. Miller Horticultural Library sustained smoke damage in the wake of a late-night May 21 fire at UW’s Center for Urban Horticulture, which houses the library. As many as 2,000 of the books may not be recoverable, according to the May 24 Seattle Times.
The fire, which officials quickly determined was arson, began in the office of botany geneticist H. D. “Toby” Bradshaw, whose hybridization work with poplar trees is seen by environmental activists as genetic-engineering research. Ironically, other samples of Bradshaw’s work, as well as computer files, were backed up elsewhere. Overall damage to the center is estimated at $3 million.
UW Provost Lee L. Huntsman issued a statement May 23 condemning the arson, which he said “has destroyed decades of scientific inquiry aimed at improving the overall health of urban ecosystems.”
Posted May 28, 2001.
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