Frank C. Gates was a professor of botany at the University of the Philippines, 1912-1915. He later taught botany and biology at the University of Michigan Biological Station and Kansas State College. His collection includes personal and biographical material, including a biography written by his son, David M. Gates; personal and professional correspondence; journals; academic and research material, such as birding and botany notebooks as well as descriptions and drafts of writings pertaining to Philippine vegetation and travels in the Philippines; and photographic material, including lantern slides, photographs, and photograph albums.
The Frank C. Gates papers are dated from 1871-2010 and include biographical and personal material, such as a biographical monograph authored by his son, David M. Gates; personal and professional correspondence; journals; publications; research notebooks; postcards, photographs, photographic negatives, photograph albums, and lantern slides. In addition to documenting Gates's time spent teaching botany at the University of the Philippines and exploring the vegetation of the Philippines Islands (1912-1915), this collection also documents his personal and professional life, service in World War I, and research interests and efforts.