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Finding Aids to Personal Papers and Special Collections in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 7070

Rau, Charles, 1826-1887

Charles Rau Papers, 1859-1886

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Rau, Charles, 1826-1887
Title:Charles Rau Papers
Dates:1859-1886
Quantity:0.5 cu. ft. (1 document box) (1 oversize folder)
Collection:Record Unit 7070
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

These papers consist of correspondence from Joseph Henry, Spencer Fullerton Baird, and scientific organizations, colleges, and libraries concerning archeological specimens and Rau's articles sent to the Smithsonian for publication; membership certificates; acknowledgement for books sent; formal death notices; a memorandum of agreement between Rau and Harper and Brothers; and statutes of two European anthropological organizations. Oversize material consists of certificates, a pencil drawing, and two Oriental documents.

Historical Note

Charles Rau (1826-1887), archeologist, was born in Belgium and attended the University of Heidelberg. In 1848, Rau emigrated to the United States, where he taught foreign languages at schools in Illinois and New York City. While teaching, he conducted anthropological research on aboriginal Americans. Rau was appointed Resident Collaborator in Ethnology, United States National Museum (USNM) in 1875, and was given the responsibility for setting up the Smithsonian Institution's anthropological exhibits at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. From 1881 until his death, Rau was Curator of the Department of Archeology, USNM. Rau wrote articles and books on native Americans and on archeology in general, and many of his works were printed in Smithsonian publications.

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Descriptive Entry

These papers consist of correspondence from Joseph Henry, Spencer Fullerton Baird, and scientific organizations, colleges, and libraries concerning archeological specimens and Rau's articles sent to the Smithsonian for publication; membership certificates; acknowledgment for books sent; formal death notices; a memorandum of agreement between Rau and Harper and Brothers; and statutes of two European anthropological organizations. Oversize material consists of certificates, a pencil drawing, and two Asian documents.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7070, Charles Rau Papers

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Container List

Series 1

Correspondence, Arranged Alphabetically, 1859-1886.

Box 1

Folder 1 A

Box 1 of 1

Folder 2 Spencer Fullerton Baird, 1868-1880

Box 1 of 1

Folder 3 Bo - G

Box 1 of 1

Folder 4 Joseph Henry, 1859-1865

Box 1 of 1

Folder 5 Joseph Henry, 1866-1870

Box 1 of 1

Folder 6 Joseph Henry, 1871-1876

Box 1 of 1

Folder 7 K - P

Box 1 of 1

Folder 8 R - W

Box 1 of 1

Series 2

Memorandum of Agreement, Statutes, and Miscellaneous.

Box 1

Folder 10 Memorandum of Agreement

Box 1 of 1

Folder 11 Statutes

Box 1 of 1

Folder 12 Miscellaneous

Box 1 of 1

Series 3

Large Format Materials.
Oversize

Certificates, a pencil drawing, and two Asian documents

Oversize

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