Edgar A. Mearns correspondence, 1883-1915
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
Creator
- Mearns, Edgar Alexander, 1856-1916 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Please contact Special Collections; materials are sometimes restricted.
Biographical / Historical
Edgar A. Mearns was an army surgeon and field naturalist. A tireless explorer and collector, Mearns contributed the first study collection of birds to the American Museum of Natural History in 1883. Mearns displayed an early interest in zoology, especially birds, corresponding with other collectors and writing papers. He consulted with J.A. Allen of the AMNH, and spent the winter following his 1881 graduation from medical school setting up the museum's first student collection in vertebrate zoology. After entering the army, Mearns continued to pursue his field work during postings throughout the U.S., and later in Cuba and the Philippines, collecting both zoological and botanical specimens. In 1891, Mearns was appointed to the Mexican-United States International Boundary Commission. With the help of the AMNH and other agencies, Mearns was able to explore the entire boundary line from El Paso, Tex., to the Pacific Coast, by 1894, collecting 30,000 specimens for the U.S. National Museum, his primary affiliation. Following his retirement, Mearns participated in two expeditions to East Africa, in 1909 and 1911.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically, with one folder of undated material.
Existence and Location of Originals
Originals held at: Manuscript Division, Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 20540.
General
Reproduction Note: Photocopies
Creator
- Mearns, Edgar Alexander, 1856-1916 (Person)
- American Museum of Natural History. Department of Ornithology (Organization)
- American Museum of Natural History. Department of Mammalogy (Organization)
- Allen, J. A. (Joel Asaph), 1838-1921 (Correspondent, Person)
- Bickmore, Albert S. (Albert Smith), 1839-1914 (Correspondent, Person)
- Chapin, James Paul, 1889-1964 (Correspondent, Person)
- Chapman, Frank M. (Frank Michler), 1864-1945 (Correspondent, Person)
- Gratacap, L. P. (Louis Pope), 1851-1917 (Correspondent, Person)
- Merriam, C. Hart (Clinton Hart), 1855-1942 (Correspondent, Person)
- Richardson, Jenness (Correspondent, Person)
- Woodward, Anthony, d. 1915 (Correspondent, Person)
- Title
- Edgar A. Mearns correspondence, 1883-1915
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Sponsor
- The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation provided support to make this finding aid available in ArchivesSpace (2016-2017). Minimal level collection record created with support from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Hidden Collections grant, 2010.
Repository Details
Part of the Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library Repository
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
New York NY 10024 USA
(212) 769-5420
[email protected]
