This collection houses the papers of University of Tennessee botany professor Aaron “Jack” Sharp, dated 1895-2006 (bulk 1928-1998). Among his collection are botany course materials; botany journals and articles; field journals containing collected international and regional flora; personal and professional correspondence and papers; and photographs and slides.

Series I: Teaching Material, 1930-1974, undated – This series comprises primarily of course materials used in Dr. Sharp’s classes, including newspaper clippings, notes, flora keys, blank examinations and quizzes, and various articles. This series also includes UTK-related correspondence from UTK Dean L. R. Hesler, Dr. J. G. Carlson, and Superintendent of Buildings David M. Nicholas. Series I is also composed of material related to UTK’s Department of Botany. Included is a document regarding the graduate study program and staff, packaging slips Dr. Sharp accumulated from his many collection trips, and three books from the University of Tennessee Record Extension Series.

Series II: Publications, 1920-2006, undated – Series II contains publications, journals, articles, reprints, keys for flora, and other information resources used in Dr. Sharp’s research. This series also includes maps Dr. Sharp used during his many collecting trips to Central Asia, India, and Mexico. Dr. Sharp collected several botany-related journals and publications, including The Living Wilderness and Rhodora: Journal of the New England Botanical Club. Also present in this series are reprints regarding Appalachian flora and fungi, and newspaper clippings featuring Dr. Sharp’s colleagues, praise for his many publications, and Dr. Sharp himself.

Series III: Research Material, 1934-1985, undated – Series III includes Dr. Sharp’s publications, journals, and notes. It contains Smoky Mountain and Latin American flora material. Most notable in this series are Dr. Sharp’s personal notes, including handwritten journals of his collecting trips in Latin America (1944-1945), Mexico (1950-1969), and Hokkaido, Japan (1971).

Series IV: Professional Service and Personal Papers, 1930-1998, undated – Series IV documents Dr. Sharp's personal life and professional services. It comprises of personal, professional, and other correspondence, with the personal correspondence written to and from Dr. Sharp being one of the main features in this series. It also contains papers chronicling Dr. Sharp's professional services, including documents from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Also included in this series are pieces of biological information about Dr. Sharp, as well as his transcripts, report cards, and obituary.

Series V: Visual Material, 1930-1992, undated – This series houses photographic material, slides, and a lantern slide projector that Dr. Sharp used in the classroom. His slides and photographs feature Smoky Mountain plants, wildlife, and charts.

Series VI: Oversized Material, 1895-1994 September 12, undated -- Series VI contains oversized materials of various documents, including charts, maps, newspaper articles, and other publications.