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Gratacap, L. P. (Louis Pope), 1851-1917

 Person

Biography

Louis Pope Gratacap was born in Brooklyn and later moved to Staten Island, New York. Graduated from College of the City of New York in 1869 and later from Columbia School of Mines in 1876. He lived for most of his life in West New Brighton, Staten Island.

In 1876 Gratacap began work as an assistant at AMNH. Later in 1881, he became Curator of Mineralology, and in 1900 he was appointed as Curator of Mollusca. Gratacap held these two curatorial positions for nearly forty years, until the time of his death in 1917. He went on a number of expeditions including an expedition to Iceland in 1906.

Gratacap was a member of the Natural Science Association of Staten Island from 1881 and became its president in 1887.

In addition to his scientific contributions, Gratacap was also hailed as an outstanding lecturer. He was the author of titles on philosophical, political and religious topics, including early science fiction which was unusual for his time.

Sources

AMNH Annual Report 1906

AMNH Vertical File for Louis Pope Gratacap.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Edgar A. Mearns correspondence, 1883-1915

 Collection
Identifier: Mss .M43
Scope and Contents

The collection consists entirely of photocopies of handwritten letters. The first letter, dated May 17, 1883, is from Albert S. Bickmore, founder and superintendent of the AMNH, concerning Mearns's proposed donation of a collection of birds. The second letter is from curator J.A. Allen, discussing details of the specimens. Other correspondents include James P. Chapin, Frank M. Chapman, L.P. Gratacap, C. Hart Merriam, Jenness Richardson and Anthony Woodward.

Dates: 1883-1915