Smithsonian Institution Archives

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

Record Unit 7189
William D. (William Dunlop) Brackenridge Papers,
circa 1838-1875


Introduction

Historical Note

Descriptive Entry


INTRODUCTION

This finding aid was digitized with funds generously provided by the Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.


HISTORICAL NOTE

William Dunlop Brackenridge (1810-1893) was a gardener and nurseryman from Scotland who came to the United States in 1837. When Asa Gray resigned his position as Botanist for the United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842, William Rich, the Assistant Botanist, took his place and Brackenridge was appointed to fill Rich's place. When the expedition returned in 1842, Brackenridge was entrusted with the care of the living plants and also with the report on ferns collected by the expedition. In 1855 he moved to the Baltimore area and spent the rest of his life there as a nurseryman and landscape architect.


DESCRIPTIVE ENTRY

These papers include a notebook of William Dunlop Brackenridge with daily entries from July 19 to August 31, 1841; two portraits of Brackenridge; and correspondence with John Torrey, Herbert Torrey, Asa Gray, Charles Wilkes, Charles Pickering, and others.

Box 1 of 1
Folder1   Photograph of William Dunlop Brackenridge (from original made in Poland)
Folder2   William Dunlop Brackenridge-Dr. Corell, compliments of Isabel Brackenridge Hindry(?)
Folder3   Xerox Copies of Photostatic Copies of 27 Personal Letters of William Dunlop Brackenridge to Professor John Torrey
Folder4   Brackenridge Diary, 1891
Folder5   Letters from John Torrey and Son Herbert Torrey to William Dunlop Brackenridge, 1847-1854
Folder6   Letters from Asa Gray to William Dunlop Brackenridge, 1848-1854; Copy of Letter from Asa Gray to Professor Torrey
Folder7   Letters from Dr. Charles Pickering to William Dunlop Brackenridge, 1847-1852
Folder8   Letters from Henry Humbert, 1844; William Hooker, 1856; A. Downing, 1852; and G. Drayton, 1850, 1854
Folder9   Letters from Johns Hopkins, 1854; L.P. Thompson, 1853; Jas. Caines, 1855; A.P. Upshur, 1842; and John S. Pendleton, 1852
Folder10   Letters from Captain Charles Wilkes, 1843-1875
Folder11   List of Places Visited by S.S. Vincennes; List of Plants; and List of Plants Producing Edible Fruit
Folder12   William Dunlop Brackenridge Appointment as Horticulturist to Wilkes Exploring Expedition, 1838, and other items
Folder13   Brackenridge to R.N. McClelland and Others
Folder14   Letters of Recommendation, Praise, and Documentation of Work Written for Brackenridge


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Revised: April 25, 2003