Series 1. CORRESPONDENCE REGISTER, 1850-1853.
Series 2. PRIVATE OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE, LETTERPRESS BOOKS, 1849-1888.
Series 3. PRIVATE INCOMING AND OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE, 1845-1887.
Series 4. FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE AND FAMILY MEMORABILIA, 1793-1887.
Series 5. CORRESPONDENCE, 1847, 1855-1888. ARRANGED BY SUBJECT.
Series 6. JOURNALS AND DIARIES, 1839-1887.
Series 7. RESEARCH MATERIALS, 1838-1883. ARRANGED BY SUBJECT.
Series 8. SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES, CIRCA 1860-CIRCA 1871.
Series 9. PHOTOGRAPHS, PORTRAITS, AND PERSONAL MISCELLANY, 1836-1887.
Series 10. DICKINSON COLLEGE, 1846-1850.
Series 11. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCES, 1848-1887.
Series 12. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION REPORTS AND MEMORANDA, DIARIES, AND PUBLICATION EXPENSES AND SPECIMEN DISTRIBUTION, 1846-1887.
Series 13. EXPLORATIONS, 1852-1876.
Series 14. UNITED STATES COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 1871-1888.
Series 15. GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, 1888-1915, 1923.
Series 16. JOURNAL AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, AND PUBLICATIONS, 1880-1923.
Series 17. SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES AND INDICES TO SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS,
Series 18. OVERSIZE MATERIALS.
![]() Spencer F. Baird, 1887. |
In 1850, Baird left Dickinson College to become an Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution (SI). He served in this capacity from 1850 to 1878. In May 1878, Baird was elected the Smithsonian's second Secretary. Baird served as Secretary until his death on August 17, 1887.
During his long career at the SI, Baird oversaw the development of the United States National Museum (USNM), the holdings of which increased from some 6,000 specimens in 1850 to over two and one half million at the time of his death. In addition, Baird oversaw a vast network of natural history collectors, administered the USNM, served as mentor and friend to a generation of young naturalists such as Robert Ridgway, William H. Dall, Robert Kennicott, and William Stimpson, and continued to produce scientific work of real distinction.
From 1871 to 1887, Baird served as the first Commissioner of the Commission of Fish and Fisheries, an unpaid position he held concurrently with his Smithsonian post. As Fish Commissioner, Baird pioneered in the development of economic ichthyology in North America; established the Marine Biological Station at Woods Hole, Massachusetts; organized the expeditions of the Fish Commission's research ship, Albatross; and coordinated the state fish hatcheries.
Baird's main scientific work was in ornithology, herpetology, and ichthyology, and several of his publications remained definitive works for decades. His meticulous description and technique influenced the American ornithological community to such degrees that he was credited with founding the so-called Bairdian school of ornithology. Baird also edited and translated the Bilder-Atlas zum Converzation Lexicon from German to English. The American version, Iconographic Encyclopedia of Science, Literature and Art, was published in 1852.
February 23, 1823 Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, third child and third son
of Samuel Baird, II, and Lydia MacFunn Biddle; named after Spencer Fullerton,
a distant relative who died a few months prior to Spencer F. Baird's
birth. 1833 Samuel Baird, II (born 1786), died of cholera, Reading,
Pennsylvania. 1834 Baird family moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania
(Cumberland County), to live near mother's relatives. Spencer F. Baird
attended Nottingham Academy near Port Deposit, Maryland, for six months. 1835-1836 Attended Carlisle day school. 1836 Entered Dickinson
College in Carlisle. 1838 Began keeping meteorological record of the
Carlisle vicinity; and began collecting birds with oldest brother, William
McFunn Baird, who was also an amateur ornithologist. 1839 Began
keeping journal of activities, and specimen collections. 1839 Visited
the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia; and conducted surveying trip
with an uncle along the Schuykill River, near Philadelphia. June 4, 1840
First letter to John James Audubon regarding a new species of fly
catchers. June 9, 1840 Received A.B. degree from Dickinson College. January 1841 Attended the Periodical Library Association meeting. Field
trip, hiked 83 miles. March-August, 1841 Hiked 565 miles. Fall
1841 Medical apprentice under Dr. Middleton Goldsmith, New York City. January 1842 Ill with flu, returned to Carlisle; decided not to pursue a
career in medical sciences. March 1842 Field trip, hiked 105 miles.
1842 Walked to Baltimore, then traveled by train to Washington;
examined specimens collected by the Wilkes Expedition stored at the United
States Patent Office. 1842 Declined to join John James Audubon's
expedition to the Yellowstone River Valley (Montana) due to poor health and
family anxieties. July 13, 1843 Received M.A. degree from Dickinson
College. 1844 "Birds of Cumberland County," co-authored with William
M. Baird, published. 1845 "Trees and Shrubs of Cumberland County,"
co-authored with William M. Baird, published. Fall 1845 Elected
honorary professor of natural history without pay at Dickinson College, and
curator of the college's natural history cabinet. 1846 First visit to
Boston. August 8, 1846 Married Mary Helen Churchill (born 1821). Fall 1846 Elected full professor of natural history with pay at Dickinson
College. 1847 Recommended for Curator of the Smithsonian Institution's
natural history collections. February 8, 1848 Birth of daughter, Lucy
Hunter Baird. 1848-1851 Translated the Bilder-Atlas zum Conversation
Lexicon from German to English; renamed the Iconographic Encyclopedia
of Science, Literature and Art, published 1852. 1849 Field trip
to western Virginia. Became seriously ill with dysentery; later
recovered. July 5, 1850 Appointed Assistant Secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution (SI). October 5, 1850 Started as Assistant
Secretary of the SI. November 3, 1850 Transported two freight cars of
personal natural history collection to SI. 1850-1854 Permanent
Secretary of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences
(AAAS). 1851 Attended AAAS meeting at Cincinnati, Ohio. Field trip
with J. K. Kirtland. 1853 "A Catalogue of North American Serpents,"
published. 1854 "A Catalogue of North American Mammals,"
published. 1856 Received Doctor of Physical Science degree, Dickinson
College. 1857 "A Catalogue of North American Birds," and "Mammals of
North America," volume 8, Pacific Railroad Report published. 1858
"Birds of North America," volume 9, Pacific Railroad Report published. 1859 "Reptiles and Amphibians of North America," volume 10, Pacific
Railroad Report published. Summer 1861 Field trip to New Jersey, New
York, New England. Attended conference in Montreal, Canada. Summer
1862 Field trip to New York and New England; first visit to Woods Hole,
Massachusetts. 1864 "Review of North American Birds, 1864-1866,"
published. January 24, 1865 Smithsonian Institution building fire. 1870-1878 Scientific editor for the Harper's Weekly. 1871-1887 Commissioner of the United States Commission of Fish and
Fisheries (USCFF); served without pay. Summer 1871 Woods Hole,
Massachusetts. Summer 1872 Eastport, Maine. Summer 1873 Peake's
Island, Maine. Summer 1874 Noank, Connecticut. 1874 "A History
of North American Birds," co-authored with Robert Ridgway and Thomas M.
Brewer, published. Summer 1875 Woods Hole, Massachusetts. 1875-1876 Member of the Board of Directors for the International Exposition
of Philadelphia (United States Centennial). Coordinated SI, USCFF, and USNM
exhibits. March 1877 Visited Florida. Summer 1877 Glouchester,
Massachusetts. Delegate at the Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada), Fisheries
Conference. May 18, 1878 Death of Joseph Henry, SI's first Secretary.
May 19, 1878 Elected SI's second Secretary. Summer 1878
Gloucester, Massachusetts. Summer 1879 Provincetown, Massachusetts. 1879-1881 USNM building under construction; opened 1881. Summers
1881-1887 Woods Hole, Massachusetts. 1884 USCFF's temporary buildings
at Woods Hole burned; permanent structures built. 1885 James
Chenowith, an examiner for the United States Department of the Treasury,
accused the USCFF of misappropriation of funds for staff living quarters; USCFF
acquitted. 1886 Doctorate of Law from Harvard University. August 19, 1887 Died at Woods Hole, aged 64. 1888 Congress compensated Baird's widow and daughter for
Baird's unpaid service as USCFF Commissioner, and for the USCFF's use of
Baird's home for offices, $50,000.00. 1890 Death of Mary Helen
Churchill Baird, aged 69. 1913 Death of Lucy Hunter Baird, aged
65. 1915 "Spencer Fullerton Baird," by William H. Dall, published. The Spencer F. Baird Collection documents Baird's personal and professional
life. Included are records from his career as administrator at the
Smithsonian Institution (SI), the United States National Museum (USNM), the
United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries (USCFF), and to a lesser
extent, Dickinson College. Some of the collection postdates Baird's life,
including condolences to family members, the lobbying efforts to compensate
Baird's widow and daughter for Baird's unpaid service at the USCFF, and
correspondence between Baird's biographers and acquaintances. Also, there are
documents which predate Baird's life, including mementos from Baird's wife's
family. Spencer F. Baird was a prolific letter writer. This collection
includes a correspondence register which lists incoming and outgoing
correspondence, 1850-1853; and Baird's private correspondence, incoming and
outgoing, 1845-1888. Correspondents include family members, naturalists,
personal acquaintances, politicians, field collectors, publishers, newspaper
reporters, medical physicians, merchants, business associates, government
officials, staff members, and scientific organizations. Other materials
relating to Baird's life include diaries and journals, newspaper and journal
articles, photographs, drawings, personal miscellany, medical miscellany, and
fiscal matters. Papers relating to Baird's family include correspondence,
photographs, genealogical information, drawings, and mementos. Papers
relating to Baird's scientific interests, especially in the synonymy of North
American fauna and flora, include specimen lists; a draft of the synopsis of
North American birds; monograph drafts; extracts from scientific publications;
bibliographical references; portions of Baird's translations of the
Iconographic Encyclopedia; an unbound German version of the
Bilder-Atlas; and lithographs. Papers relating to Baird's career
as a professor at Dickinson College include drafts of annual reports and
lecture notes. Materials concerning the American Association for the
Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) include correspondence, member lists, meeting
announcements, fiscal records, and circulars sent out to AAAS members in
1852. Papers relating to SI and the USNM contain Baird's drafts of SI
annual reports, including drafts of annual reports for the USCFF; diaries,
mostly documenting library and visitor activities; lists and distribution
records of SI publications and specimens; correspondence, mostly concerning
specimens; memoranda; and circulars sent to SI correspondents, 1875. Materials relating to explorations in which Baird distributed equipment and
information to field collectors and collaborators include correspondence,
reports, account books, lists, and receipts for equipment purchased. Papers relating to the USCFF include documentation relating to the Chenowith
Case of 1885; the lobbying efforts to compensate the Baird family for Baird's
unpaid service as USCFF Commissioner; reports and expense receipts; newspaper
articles; correspondence; and memoranda. Papers relating to Baird's
daughter, Lucy Hunter Baird, include typescripts of entries extracted from her
father's journals and correspondence, including notations, and correspondence
with family members and acquaintances. Papers relating to the
biographers (George Brown Goode, William H. Dall, and Lucy Hunter Baird)
include correspondence with Baird acquaintances; and a photograph of the Baird
family home in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1914. Oversize materials include
certificates of membership to scientific organizations, diplomas, Baird
drawings, a German lithograph portrait with Baird's handwriting, 1855, and a
photograph of Baird, circa 1880. Box 1 of 73
CHRONOLOGY
DESCRIPTIVE ENTRY
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
SERIES 1.
CORRESPONDENCE REGISTER, 1850-1853.
| Folder | 1 | Correspondence Register (Letters sent and received), 1850-1853 | |
| Folder | 2 | Incoming Correspondence Index |
This series consists of forty volumes of letterpress books containing Baird's private outgoing correspondence. Volumes one to thirty-nine cover the period from 1849 to 1887, beginning when Baird was a natural history professor at Dickinson College, and ending shortly before his death. Correspondents include family members, naturalists, personal acquaintances, merchants, government officials, and staff members.
Of special note, volume thirty-eight includes outgoing correspondence written by Baird's daughter, Lucy Hunter Baird, and Baird's wife, Mary Helen Churchill Baird, during 1888. Volume thirty-nine, entitled, "Specially Private Letters, 1885-1887," contains correspondence with politicians and newspaper reporters in connection with the Chenowith Case during 1885; and correspondence with physicians in which Baird described his health and medical treatments. Volume forty contains outgoing correspondence with members of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences from 1850 to 1854, including the period when Baird served as Permanent Secretary.
Letterpress volumes are restricted. Microfilms of these volumes are available for viewing. Also, Baird's daughter, Lucy, extracted selected outgoing correspondence for a biography of her father. These excerpts were copied from volumes one, two, and five.
Box 2 of 73
| Folders | 1-2 | Volume 1. November 3, 1849-December 31, 1850. Also includes 10 documents, May 12, 1856-June 15, 1856, and undated, and excerpts from volume 1. | |
| Folders | 3A-5 | Volumes 2-3. January 11, 1851-April 26, 1860. Includes excerpts from volume 2. |
Box 3 of 73
| Folders | 1-3 | Volumes 4-5. June 17, 1856-December 30, 1864. Includes excerpts from volume 5. | |
| Folder | 4 | Volume 6. December 31, 1864-December 26, 1869. |
Box 3A of 73
| Folder | 1 | Volume 7. December 31, 1864-December 26, 1869. |
Box 4 of 73
| Folders | 1-4 | Volumes 8-11. December 25, 1869-May 28, 1872. |
Box 5 of 73
| Folders | 1-4 | Volumes 12-15. May 29, 1872-May 13, 1874. |
Box 6 of 73
| Folders | 1-4 | Volumes 16-19. May 14, 1874-June 24, 1876. |
Box 7 of 73
| Folders | 1-3 | Volumes 20-22. June 24, 1876 (cont'd)-July 27, 1878. |
Box 8 of 73
| Folders | 1-3 | Volumes 23-25. July 29, 1878-December 28, 1880. |
Box 9 of 73
| Folders | 1-3 | Volumes 26-28. December 13, 1880-May 16, 1883. |
Box 10 of 73
| Folders | 1-4 | Volumes 29-32. May 16, 1883 (cont`d)-March 31, 1885. |
Box 11 of 73
| Folders | 1-4 | Volumes 33-36. April 1, 1885-June 21, 1887. |
Box 12 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Volume 37. May 21, 1887-February 20, 1888. | |
| Folder | 2 | Volume 38. "Specially Private Letters," August 15, 1868-March 9, 1885. | |
| Folder | 3 | Volume 39. "Specially Private Letters," April 18, 1885-May 9, 1887. | |
| Folder | 4 | American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. September 14, 1850-April 5, 1854. |
This series consists of Spencer F. Baird's private incoming and outgoing correspondence relating to his personal life and professional career. Baird maintained an extensive correspondence with domestic and international scientists in all fields of natural history. Correspondents include officers and staff members of the Smithsonian Institution (SI), the United States National Museum (USNM), the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries (USCFF), government officials, publishers, naturalists, field collectors, business associates, family members, and friends. Correspondence concerns the administrations of SI, USNM, and USCFF; dealings with publisher Rudolph Garrigue regarding the Iconographic Encyclopedia; transportation arrangements; architectural details for the USNM building; collecting specimens; purchases of equipment; publication details; and personal matters. Correspondence and other files relating to scientific societies, government agencies, and other organizations can be found in series 2-18.
Other Baird correspondence, which may be related to correspondence in this collection, is located among official records of the Smithsonian Institution. See Record Units 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, and 33 of the Smithsonian Archives.
Box 13 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Aale, Nicolai(?), 1845 | |
| Folder | 2 | Abbe, Cleveland, 1876-1881 | |
| Folder | 3 | Abell-Abert | |
| Folder | 4 | Academy-Adams | |
| Folder | 5 | Adams Express Company, 1866-1885 | |
| Folders | 6-7 | Agassiz, Alexander, 1873-1887 | |
| Folder | 8 | Agassiz, Elizabeth C., 1870, 1885 | |
| Folder | 9 | Agassiz, Lizzie, 1851, 1853 | |
| Folders | 10-14 | Agassiz, Jean-Louis, 1847-1873. NOTE: Letters between Baird and Agassiz have been published in Elmer Charles Herber's edition, Correspondence Between Spencer Fullerton Baird and Louis Agassiz-Two Pioneer American Naturalists (Smithsonian Press, 1963). | |
| Folder | 15 | Agriculture, United States Department of, 1867-1879 | |
| Folder | 16 | Aigner-All | |
| Folder | 17 | Allen, G.-Allen, W. | |
| Folder | 18 | Almen-Alvord | |
| Folder | 19 | American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The, 1880; American and Foreign Teacher Agency, 1879 | |
| Folder | 20 | American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, 1850-1857. Consists of incoming correspondence to Baird while he served as Permanent Secretary of AAAS. Also includes financial reports, proceedings and membership lists, and records regarding distribution of the AAAS's Proceedings. | |
| Folder | 21 | American Association of the Red Cross-American Watch Company | |
| Folder | 22 | Ames-Appleton |
Box 14 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Archer-Art | |
| Folder | 2 | Ashland-Ashmead | |
| Folder | 3 | Askew-Associated | |
| Folder | 4 | Atchison-Atwater, C. | |
| Folders | 5-6 | Atwater, Wilbur Olin, 1873-1879 | |
| Folder | 7 | Atwood, Myrick-Atwood, N. E. | |
| Folder | 8 | Audubon, John James, 1840-1846. This folder includes: a) Copy of a letter, dated July 30, 1842, in which Audubon recommended Baird to help with the specimens collected by the United States Exploring Expedition; b) Typescript abstracts from Baird's journal containing references to Audubon, 1841-1847; c) Lists of dates and numbers of letters from Audubon to Baird, 1840-1847; d) Lists of inquiries and words looked up in letters from correspondence by S. F. Baird and William M. Baird. | |
| Folder | 9 | Audubon, Victor Gifford, 1843, 1846, 1850, 1854 | |
| Folder | 10 | Ayres, W. O., 1853, 1859 | |
| Folder | 11 | Babcock, D. S.-Babcock, O. E. | |
| Folder | 12 | Bache, Alexander Dallas, 1852-1854 | |
| Folder | 13 | Bacon-Bailliere | |
| Folder | 14 | Baird, A.-Baird, J. | |
| Folder | 15 | Baker G.-Baker, S. | |
| Folder | 16 | Baldwin-Bannister | |
| Folder | 17 | Barker, G. F., 1875-1883 | |
| Folder | 18 | Barker, J.-Barryman | |
| Folder | 19 | Bartholo-Bayard | |
| Folder | 20 | Beale-Becker | |
| Folder | 21 | Beckhaus and Allgaier, 1860-1865 | |
| Folder | 22 | Bectam-Belknap | |
| Folder | 23 | Bell-Beyerle | |
| Folder | 24 | Bibb-Biddle, C. | |
| Folders | 25-30 | Biddle, Thomas A. and Company, 1865-1887 | |
| Folder | 31 | Bigelow-Bishop |
Box 15 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Blackburn, Thomas, 1882 | |
| Folder | 2 | Blackford, Eugene G., 1878-1884 | |
| Folder | 3 | Blackwell-Blair | |
| Folder | 4 | Blake, C.-Blake, W. | |
| Folder | 5 | Bland-Blumenthal | |
| Folders | 6-12 | Boardman, George A., 1865, 1867-1887 | |
| Folder | 13 | Boehmer-Boswell | |
| Folder | 14 | Boulton-Boyer | |
| Folder | 15 | Bradfield-Brehm | |
| Folder | 16 | Brevoort, J. Carson, 1852-1853, 1867-1878 | |
| Folder | 17 | Brewer and Pilesher-Brewer, S. | |
| Folders | 18-23 | Brewer, Thomas M., 1844-1867 |
Box 16 of 73
| Folders | 1-7 | Brewer, Thomas M., 1868-1879 | |
| Folder | 8 | Bridges-Brooks | |
| Folder | 9 | Brown, A. D.-Brown, S. A. | |
| Folder | 10 | Brown, S. C., 1882-1887 | |
| Folders | 11-12 | Brown, Solomon G., 1855-1870 | |
| Folder | 13 | Brown, T.-Bryan, E. C. | |
| Folder | 14 | Bryant, E. B., 1864-1878 | |
| Folders | 15-17 | Bryant, Henry, 1859-1867, 1869 | |
| Folder | 18 | Bryant, W. S.-Bryres | |
| Folder | 19 | B, unidentified |
Box 17 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Cabinus-Candler | |
| Folder | 2 | Canfield-Cassin, C. | |
| Folders | 3-13 | Cassin, John, 1843-1868 | |
| Folder | 14 | Cassin, R.-Caton | |
| Folder | 15 | Cemtire(?)-Century | |
| Folder | 16 | Centennial Commission, United States, 1873-1876 | |
| Folder | 17 | Chadbourne, B. L., 1857, 1865-1870, 1879 | |
| Folder | 18 | Chadbourne, L.-Chase | |
| Folder | 19 | Chenoworth-Chouteau | |
| Folder | 20 | Christian-Clark, J. H. | |
| Folder | 21 | Clark, John Henry, 1857-1882 | |
| Folder | 22 | Clark, Joseph-Clarke |
Box 18 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Clem-Clover | |
| Folder | 2 | Cluss, Adolf, 1878-1885 | |
| Folder | 3 | Clutter-Collins | |
| Folder | 4 | Colt-Cooper | |
| Folder | 5 | Cope, Edward Drinker, 1869-1886 | |
| Folder | 6 | Coppee-Corson | |
| Folder | 7 | Cosmos Club, 1878-1886 | |
| Folder | 8 | Couch, Darius Nash, 1853-1855, 1860 | |
| Folders | 9-14 | Coues, Elliott, 1864-1886 | |
| Folder | 15 | Coues, S.-Cozzens | |
| Folder | 16 | Craig-Crawford | |
| Folder | 17 | Creswell-Curtis | |
| Folder | 18 | Cushing, Frank Hamilton, 1879, 1882 | |
| Folder | 19 | Cushing, W.-Cuyler | |
| Folder | 20 | Dahlgren-Dall, C. | |
| Folders | 21-25 | Dall, William Healey, 1866-1885 |
Box 19 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Damon, G.-Damon, W. | |
| Folder | 2 | Dana, Edward Salisbury, 1874-1879 | |
| Folder | 3 | Dana, Henrietta Silliman, 1866-1874 | |
| Folders | 4-5 | Dana, James Dwight, 1844-1881. Includes a copy of "instruction of Captain Wilkes," 1838. | |
| Folder | 6 | Dandridge-Davidson | |
| Folder | 7 | Davis, A.-Davis, W. | |
| Folder | 8 | Dawes-Day. Dawes, H. L., includes correspondence and memoranda preliminary to the passage of law establishing the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1870. | |
| Folder | 9 | Deacon-Dexter | |
| Folder | 10 | Dickinson, C.-Dickinson, T. | |
| Folder | 11 | Diebitsch-Dieter | |
| Folder | 12 | Diggs, Meredith, 1878-1879 | |
| Folder | 13 | Diggs, S.-Dinwiddie | |
| Folder | 14 | District of Columbia: Special Assessment Office, 1880, 1885-1886 | |
| Folder | 15 | District of Columbia: Collector of Taxes, 1868, 1872 Health Department (Inspector of Plumbing), 1886 Surveyor's Office, 1879 Water Register, Office of the, 1880-1883 | |
| Folder | 16 | Dixon-Doe | |
| Folders | 17-19 | Donaldson, Thomas, 1876-1887 | |
| Folder | 20 | Dorflinger-Dow | |
| Folder | 21 | Draper-Drexler | |
| Folder | 22 | Dubarry-Dwight | |
| Folder | 23 | Earll-Easton | |
| Folder | 24 | Edmunds, George F., 1868-1886 | |
| Folder | 25 | Edmunds, M.-Edmunds, S. | |
| Folder | 26 | Edwards-Elliot | |
| Folders | 27-28 | Elliott, Daniel Giraud, 1863-1864, 1869 | |
| Folders | 29-30 | Elliott, Henry W., 1863-1886 | |
| Folder | 31 | Elliott, L.-Elwyn |
Box 20 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Emmerich-Eno | |
| Folder | 2 | Eschricht-Executive | |
| Folder | 3 | Fabbri-Farley | |
| Folders | 4-5 | Farlow, W. G., 1874-1886 | |
| Folder | 6 | Farmers-Fay, H. | |
| Folders | 7-9 | Fay, Joseph S., 1863-1886 | |
| Folder | 10 | Fay, S.-Felton | |
| Folder | 11 | Ferguson, J.-Ferguson, S. | |
| Folders | 12-17 | Ferguson, Thomas B., 1878 | |
| Folder | 18 | Feuardent-Fitch | |
| Folder | 19 | Flegel-Flint | |
| Folders | 20-21 | Flugel, Felix, 1858-1870 | |
| Folder | 22 | Flugel, T.-Forbes | |
| Folder | 23 | Force, William Q., 1863-1864, 1878 | |
| Folders | 24-27 | Foreman, Edward, 1843, 1850-1855, 1867-1879 | |
| Folder | 28 | Foster-Fox | |
| Folder | 29 | Fracelton-Fristoe |
Box 21 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Gaither-Gant | |
| Folder | 2 | Gardiner, Annie E., 1855-1887 | |
| Folder | 3 | Gardiner, Frederick, 1868-1878; Gardiner, Frederick, Jr., 1879-1881 | |
| Folder | 4 | Gardiner, Robert H., 1880-1887 | |
| Folder | 5 | Gardner-Garnett | |
| Folders | 6-10 | Garrigue, Rudolph, 1847-1856 | |
| Folder | 11 | Gates-Getz | |
| Folder | 12 | Gibbes-Gibson | |
| Folder | 13 | Gifford-Giles | |
| Folder | 14 | Gill, Herbert A., 1882-1887 | |
| Folder | 15 | Gill, Theodore, 1865-1871 | |
| Folder | 16 | Gillin, S. M., 1854-1859 | |
| Folder | 17 | Gilliss-Gilman | |
| Folder | 18 | Girard, Charles Frederic, 1851-1859 | |
| Folder | 19 | Giraud, Jacob P., 1842-1843 | |
| Folder | 20 | Giraud, W. C.(?), 1868-1869 | |
| Folder | 21 | Gitts-Gomes | |
| Folders | 22-29 | Goode, George Brown, 1871, 1876-1880 |
Box 22 of 73
| Folders | 1-18 | Goode, George Brown, 1881-1887. Mostly S. F. Baird outgoing correspondence and some incoming correspondence. | |
| Folder | 19 | Goode, Sarah F., 1880 |
Box 23 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Goodloe-Goodwin | |
| Folder | 2 | Gordon-Gowans | |
| Folder | 3 | Graham-Grand | |
| Folders | 4-6 | Gray, Asa, 1846-1864, 1868-1887 | |
| Folder | 7 | Gray, F. C.-Grayson | |
| Folder | 8 | Great-Green | |
| Folder | 9 | Griffin-Grinnell | |
| Folder | 10 | Griset-Guyot | |
| Folder | 11 | Habicht-Haines | |
| Folders | 12-14 | Haldeman, Samuel S., 1842-1853, 1878 | |
| Folder | 15 | Hale, C.-Hale, M. | |
| Folder | 16 | Hale, Robert S., 1864-1880 | |
| Folder | 17 | Hale, Safford E., 1855-1887 | |
| Folder | 18 | Haley-Hall | |
| Folder | 19 | Haller-Hallowell | |
| Folder | 20 | Hamilton-Hammond, P. | |
| Folder | 21 | Hammond, William A., 1863-1886 | |
| Folder | 22 | Hand-Harman |
Box 24 of 73
| Folders | 1-16 | Harper and Brothers, 1846, 1868-1886 | |
| Folder | 17 | Harper, M.-Hawley | |
| Folder | 18 | Hay-Hayden, E. | |
| Folders | 19-22 | Hayden, Ferdinand Vandeveer, 1853-1860 |
Box 25 of 73
| Folders | 1-4 | Hayden, Ferdinand Vandeveer, 1867-1881 | |
| Folder | 5 | Hayes-Hazen | |
| Folder | 6 | Heath-Hennegins | |
| Folder | 7 | Henry, H. A.-Henry, H. L. | |
| Folders | 8-11 | Henry, Joseph, 1847-1874 | |
| Folder | 12 | Henry, M.-Herr | |
| Folders | 13-15 | Hessel, Rudolph, 1877-1887 | |
| Folder | 16 | Hetzel-Heyerdahl | |
| Folder | 17 | Hickling-Hillman | |
| Folders | 18-21 | Himes, Charles F., 1869-1885 | |
| Folder | 22 | Hinckley, C., 1846 | |
| Folders | 23-24 | Hind, Henry Youle, 1878-1880. Includes printed materials and reports on the Halifax Fisheries Conference, 1880. | |
| Folder | 25 | Hinkley-Hitz | |
| Folder | 26 | Hobart-Hodge | |
| Folder | 27 | Hoff-Holcomb | |
| Folders | 28-29 | Holden, Edward S., 1876-1880 | |
| Folder | 30 | Holden, W.-Holzer |
Box 26 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Homes-House | |
| Folder | 2 | House of Representatives, 1855, 1879. Contains summons to appear at committee meetings. | |
| Folder | 3 | Howard, E.-Howard, O. | |
| Folder | 4 | Howe-Hoy | |
| Folder | 5 | Hubbard-Hudson | |
| Folder | 6 | Humbold-Hunt | |
| Folder | 7 | Hunter-Hyerdang | |
| Folder | 8 | Iconographic-Ito | |
| Folder | 9 | Jackson-Jardine | |
| Folder | 10 | Jenkins-Jesup | |
| Folder | 11 | Jewett, C.-Jewett, E. | |
| Folder | 12 | Jillson-Joy | |
| Folder | 13 | Kagge-Kaufman | |
| Folder | 14 | Keems-Kelsey | |
| Folder | 15 | Kemp-Kennedy | |
| Folders | 16-20 | Kennerly, Caleb Burwell Rowan, 1849-1861 | |
| Folder | 21 | Kennerly, J.-Kennicott, M. | |
| Folders | 22-24 | Kennicott, John A., 1855-1862 | |
| Folders | 25-31 | Kennicott, Robert, 1853-1857 |
Box 27 of 73
| Folders | 1-9 | Kennicott, Robert, 1858-1866, and undated | |
| Folder | 10 | Kerr, R. C., 1850 | |
| Folders | 11-14 | Kidder, J. H., 1875, 1877-1887 | |
| Folder | 15 | Kimball-King, Caroline | |
| Folder | 16 | King, Clarence, 1867-1872 | |
| Folder | 17 | King, G.-Kirkwood | |
| Folders | 18-19 | Kirtland, J. P., 1846-1854 | |
| Folder | 20 | Kitchell-Kunz | |
| Folder | 21 | Lafitte-Lansburgh | |
| Folder | 22 | Larcombe-Lawrence, E. | |
| Folders | 23-29 | Lawrence, George N., 1851-1852, 1862-1868 |
Box 28 of 73
| Folders | 1-10 | Lawrence, George N., 1869-1887 | |
| Folder | 11 | Laws, David O., 1868 | |
| Folder | 12 | Lea, Henry C., 1849 | |
| Folder | 13 | Lea, Issac, 1841, 1869-1885 | |
| Folder | 14 | Leach-Leaming | |
| Folder | 15 | LeConte, John Eatton, 1842-1855 | |
| Folders | 16-20 | LeConte, John Lawrence, 1842-1882 | |
| Folder | 21 | LeConte, Joseph, 1845-1850 | |
| Folder | 22 | Lee, A.-Lee, W. | |
| Folders | 23-26 | Leech, Daniel, 1870-1887 | |
| Folder | 27 | Leech, Emma L. L., 1868 | |
| Folder | 28 | Lees-Lehnert | |
| Folder | 29 | Leidy, Joseph, 1846-1885, 1901. Includes a letter from Richard Rathbun to Lucy Hunter Baird concerning Leidy's correspondence to Baird, 1901. | |
| Folder | 30 | Leiler-Lewis |
Box 29 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Library-Lincoln | |
| Folder | 2 | Lindeman-Lippincott | |
| Folder | 3 | Litcomb-Little, G. | |
| Folders | 4-8 | Little, Brown and Company, 1868-1885 | |
| Folder | 9 | Livingston-Looray | |
| Folder | 10 | Loosing-Lownds | |
| Folder | 11 | Lubbock-Lyman | |
| Folder | 12 | Maccoun, Robert. T., 1841-1850 | |
| Folder | 13 | MacDonald-Magyar | |
| Folder | 14 | Mahon-Marohaus | |
| Folder | 15 | Marsh, Caroline-Marsh, Charles | |
| Folders | 16-22 | Marsh, George Perkins, 1847-1882 | |
| Folder | 23 | Marsh, Otheniel Charles, 1867-1885 | |
| Folder | 24 | Marsh, S.-Mason, J. | |
| Folder | 25 | Mason, Otis Tufton, 1874-1879 | |
| Folder | 26 | Massachusetts-Massey | |
| Folder | 27 | Mather-Mayer | |
| Folder | 28 | Mayew-Maynard | |
| Folder | 29 | McAdoo-McDonald | |
| Folder | 30 | McGiloray-McNeal | |
| Folder | 31 | Meek-Merchant, A. |
Box 30 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Merchant, G.-Merchants | |
| Folder | 2 | Merriam-Metropolitan | |
| Folder | 3 | Michelotti-Miller | |
| Folder | 4 | Milner, James W., 1879 | |
| Folder | 5 | Milner, Sarah A., 1879-1880, 1885 | |
| Folder | 6 | Miner-Mish | |
| Folder | 7 | Mitchell-Mittag | |
| Folder | 8 | Mllhausen-Morrill | |
| Folder | 9 | Morris, John G., 1843-1850, 1869-1870 | |
| Folder | 10 | Morton-Myers | |
| Folder | 11 | N. A. Cyclopedia-Nantucket | |
| Folders | 12-13 | National Academy of Sciences, 1866-1886 | |
| Folder | 14 | National Bazaar-National University | |
| Folder | 15 | Nature-Nerny | |
| Folders | 16-21 | Newberry, John S., 1852-1884. Includes letter to G. B. Goode, 1890. | |
| Folder | 22 | Newberry, S.-Newcomb | |
| Folder | 23 | New England Glass Company, 1862-1872 | |
| Folders | 24-25 | New England Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1852-1887 | |
| Folder | 26 | New England Transfer-New York Life | |
| Folder | 27 | New York Lithographing-New York State Cabinet | |
| Folder | 28 | New York Tribune, 1873-1882 | |
| Folder | 29 | New York, University of the State of, 1841-1842. Passes to lectures. | |
| Folder | 30 | Nicholls, G.-Nichols, I. | |
| Folder | 31 | Nicholson-Nye |
Box 31 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Oak-Olcott | |
| Folder | 2 | Old-Orton | |
| Folder | 3 | Orsborne-Ostermoor | |
| Folder | 4 | Otis-Owen | |
| Folder | 5 | Packard, Alpheus Spring, Jr., 1870-1879 | |
| Folder | 6 | Packard, E.-Panama | |
| Folder | 7 | Paret-Parker | |
| Folder | 8 | Parlin-Pawson | |
| Folder | 9 | Peakes-Pennsylvania | |
| Folder | 10 | Pepper-Phelps | |
| Folder | 11 | Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company, 1878-1887 | |
| Folder | 12 | Phillips, B.-Phillips, J. | |
| Folder | 13 | Philosophical-Pirz | |
| Folder | 14 | Poesche-Porter | |
| Folder | 15 | Post-Powell | |
| Folder | 16 | Pratt-Provident | |
| Folders | 17-18 | The Public Ledger (Philadelphia), 1865, 1867-1874, 1878, 1882, and undated | |
| Folder | 19 | Purvis-Pywell | |
| Folder | 20 | Queen, James W. and Company, 1882, 1886 | |
| Folder | 21 | Radde-Raoul | |
| Folder | 22 | Rathbun, Richard, 1878-1887 | |
| Folder | 23 | Rau, Charles, 1870, 1875-1879 | |
| Folder | 24 | Rawlins-Raynolds | |
| Folder | 25 | Read-Rhees, J. | |
| Folders | 26-34 | Rhees, William Jones, 1854-1872, 1878-1887 |
Box 32 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Rhodes-Rich | |
| Folders | 2-7 | Richard, John H., 1853-1874 | |
| Folder | 8 | Richards-Ricksecker | |
| Folder | 9 | Ridgway, E. A., 1875-1885 | |
| Folders | 10-13 | Ridgway, Robert, 1869-1876, 1879-1887 | |
| Folder | 14 | Rieman, W. J., 1857-1858 | |
| Folders | 15-16 | Riggs and Company, 1854-1887 | |
| Folder | 17 | Riggs-Ritter | |
| Folder | 18 | Robbins-Robinson | |
| Folder | 19 | Roche-Roessler | |
| Folder | 20 | Rogers-Romero | |
| Folder | 21 | Roosevelt-Rutter | |
| Folder | 22 | Sage-Salvin | |
| Folder | 23 | Sammons-Sayre | |
| Folder | 24 | Scammon-Schillinger | |
| Folder | 25 | Schirner-Schott | |
| Folder | 26 | Schumann-Sclater | |
| Folder | 27 | Scott-Scudder | |
| Folder | 28 | Seagh-Sercomb |
Box 33 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Sergeant, E. N., 1845-1846 | |
| Folders | 2-8 | Sergeant, J. Dickinson, 1838-1880 | |
| Folder | 9 | Seward-Shannon | |
| Folder | 10 | Sharp-Shepard | |
| Folders | 11-12 | Sheppard, Edwin, 1867-1870 | |
| Folder | 13 | Sheridan-Sherman | |
| Folder | 14 | Shilling-Shuman | |
| Folder | 15 | Sibley, A.-Sibley, G. | |
| Folder | 16 | Siedhof-Silliman | |
| Folder | 17 | Simpson-Sloane | |
| Folder | 18 | Smead-Smiley | |
| Folder | 19 | Smillie-Smith, H. | |
| Folder | 20 | Smith, J.-Smith, S. | |
| Folder | 21 | Smith, T.-Smith, W. | |
| Folder | 22 | Social-Spangler | |
| Folder | 23 | Spear-Squier | |
| Folder | 24 | Stabler-Stejneger | |
| Folder | 25 | Stephens-Stewart | |
| Folders | 26-31 | Stimpson, William, 1857-1870, 1880 |
Box 34 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Stites-Stolley | |
| Folder | 2 | Stone-Stowe, N. | |
| Folder | 3 | Stowe, William, 1847-1849, 1866-1887 | |
| Folder | 4 | Stratton-Strong | |
| Folder | 5 | Stuart-Stuff | |
| Folder | 6 | Sturm-Sturtevant | |
| Folder | 7 | Suckley, George, 1859-1861, 1866 | |
| Folder | 8 | Suckley, J.-Sullivan | |
| Folder | 9 | Sumner, Charles, 1867 | |
| Folder | 10 | Sundevall-Syester | |
| Folder | 11 | Tanner-Taylor | |
| Folder | 12 | Tehuantepac-Thomas | |
| Folder | 13 | Thompson, C.-Thompson, Z. | |
| Folder | 14 | Thomson, Frank, 1883-1887 | |
| Folder | 15 | Thomson, John H., 1870 | |
| Folder | 16 | Thomson, W.-Thurston | |
| Folder | 17 | Tiffany, Charles C., 1846-1878 | |
| Folder | 18 | Tiffany, O. H., 1849-1878 | |
| Folder | 19 | Tirdale-Tolles | |
| Folder | 20 | Toner, Joseph M., 1875, 1879 | |
| Folder | 21 | Torrey, John, 1854-1872 | |
| Folder | 22 | Torrey, J.-Treasury | |
| Folder | 23 | Trego-True | |
| Folder | 24 | Tuley-Turnbull | |
| Folders | 25-27 | Turnbull, William P., 1865-1870 | |
| Folder | 28 | Turner, G.-Turner, L. | |
| Folder | 29 | Turner, M.-Turner, W. | |
| Folder | 30 | Tustin-Tyndall |
Box 35 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Ufford-Ulke | |
| Folder | 2 | Union-University | |
| Folder | 3 | Valentine, Mann S., 1878 | |
| Folder | 4 | Van Duzer-Van Vliet | |
| Folder | 5 | Varden, John, 1860-1862 | |
| Folder | 6 | Vaughan-Vendi | |
| Folder | 7 | Verreaux, Edouard, 1865-1866, 1869 | |
| Folder | 8 | Verreaux, J. P., 1866, 1868, 1870 | |
| Folder | 9 | Verrill, A. E., 1870, 1878, 1885-1886, 1914. Includes 1914 letter from A. E.Verrill to W. H. Dall. | |
| Folder | 10 | Victor-Vitzthum | |
| Folder | 11 | Wadsworth, M. E., 1881 | |
| Folders | 12-15 | Wahl, William H., 1869-1882 | |
| Folder | 16 | Waite-Walker | |
| Folder | 17 | Wallace-Wanamaker | |
| Folder | 18 | Ward-Warfield | |
| Folder | 19 | Warm-Washington | |
| Folder | 20 | Wassermann-Webster | |
| Folder | 21 | Weerth-Welford | |
| Folder | 22 | Welling-Wentworth | |
| Folder | 23 | Wesley, William, 1867-1873, 1878 | |
| Folder | 24 | West-Weston | |
| Folder | 25 | Wharton-Whitlock | |
| Folder | 26 | Whitney, A., 1849 | |
| Folders | 27-32 | Whitney, Josiah Dwight, 1862-1884 | |
| Folder | 33 | Whitney, W.-Wiley |
Box 36 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Wilkes-Williams | |
| Folder | 2 | Williamson-Wilson | |
| Folder | 3 | Wimer-Wise | |
| Folder | 4 | Wolcott-Wood | |
| Folder | 5 | Woodburne-Wormley | |
| Folder | 6 | Wright-Wrightington | |
| Folder | 7 | Wyckoff, William, 1875-1882 | |
| Folders | 8-10 | Wyeth John, 1861-1885. Also Wyeth, John and Brothers. | |
| Folder | 11 | Wylie-Wyman | |
| Folder | 12 | Xantus, John, 1863-1866 | |
| Folder | 13 | Yandell-Youmans | |
| Folder | 14 | Young, C. B., 1870 | |
| Folder | 15 | Young, Casey, 1878-1879 | |
| Folder | 16 | Young, E.-Youth's | |
| Folder | 17 | Zealandian-Ziegler | |
| Folder | 18 | Unidentified correspondence |
This series consists of incoming correspondence with Spencer F. Baird and family members. Of particular interest is a letter describing Spencer F. Baird's birth (see under Valeria Fullerton Biddle Penrose, February 4, 1823). Also included is outgoing correspondence, mostly from Baird to his brother, William, and to his wife, Mary Helen Churchill Baird. Additional outgoing Baird family correspondence can be found in Series 2.
Family mementos consist of documents from Mary Helen Churchill Baird's grandfather and father. Mary's grandfather, William Hunter (1754-1827), served as Judge of Probate for the District of Windsor, Vermont, 1801-1816, and as United States Congressman, 1817-1819. Included in this series are Hunter's certifications of election as Judge of Probate; a promissory note dated 1793; miscellaneous receipts, 1807-1817; and correspondence to family members. Mary Helen Baird's father, Sylvester Churchill (17??-1862), served as Quartermaster, United States Army, 18??-1862. Included in this series are Churchill's certifications of promotion of rank signed by U. S. Presidents and Secretaries of War, 1836, 1841, 1846, and 1847; miscellaneous receipts, 1805-1814; and correspondence with family members.
Box 37 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Baird, H. H., 1874 | |
| Folder | 2 | Baird, Harriet, 1843, 1846 (aunt) | |
| Folder | 3 | Baird, Henry Carey, undated | |
| Folder | 4 | Baird, Lucy Hunter (daughter, b. 1848-d. 1913). Confirmation, Epiphany Church, Maryland, 1880. | |
| Folder | 5 | Baird, Lucy Hunter. Correspondence from Robert Kennicott, 1860. | |
| Folder | 6 | Baird, Lucy Hunter. Correspondence with her maternal grandparents, Sylvester and Lucy Hunter Churchill, 1851-1860. | |
| Folder | 7 | Baird, Lucy Hunter. Correspondence with her parents, 1854-1874. | |
| Folder | 8 | Baird, Lucy Hunter. Diagnosis from J. H. Kidder, 1879. | |
| Folder | 9 | Baird, Lucy Hunter. Valentine's Day notes, 1853 and undated. | |
| Folders | 10-11 | Baird, Lydia MacFunn Biddle, 1850-1870 (mother, b. 1797-d. 1871) | |
| Folder | 12 | Baird, Lydia Spencer, 1852-1856, 1866-circa 1870 (sister, b. 1827-d. 1876) | |
| Folder | 13 | Baird, Mary, 1882 | |
| Folders | 14-23 | Baird, Mary Helen Churchill (wife, b. 1821-d. 1890). Letters to Spencer F. Baird, 1844-1883. | |
| Folders | 24-35 | Baird, Mary Helen Churchill. Letters from Spencer F. Baird, 1844-1887. | |
| Folder | 36 | Baird, R. C., 1885 | |
| Folder | 37 | Baird, R. P., undated (aunt) | |
| Folder | 38 | Baird, Rebecca Potts, 1839, 1865-1887 (sister, b. 1825-d. 1907) | |
| Folder | 39 | Baird, Robert H. (Bob), 1868, 1870, 1884 (nephew) |
Box 38 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Baird, Samuel, II, 1831, 1833 (father, b. 1786-d. 1833) | |
| Folders | 2-12 | Baird, Samuel, III, 1838-1884 (brother, b. 1821-d. 1884) | |
| Folders | 13-14 | Baird, Thomas, 1844-1885 (brother, b. 1831-d. 1897) | |
| Folders | 15-24 | Baird, William McFunn, 1841-1872 (brother, b. 1817-d. 1872) | |
| Folder | 25 | Baird, William McFunn, 1841-1853. Letters from Spencer F. Baird to his brother. Transcribed by Lucy Hunter Baird from letterpress books in Series 2. | |
| Folder | 26 | Biddle, E. M., 1847-1878 | |
| Folder | 27 | Biddle, E. W., 1874-1884 (cousin) | |
| Folder | 28 | Biddle, Henry Jonathan, 1854-1862 (brother-in-law, d. 1862) | |
| Folder | 29 | Biddle, Henry Jonathan, Jr., 1877-1886 (nephew) | |
| Folder | 30 | Biddle, J. Williams, 1866-1876 (nephew) | |
| Folder | 31 | Biddle, Julia A., undated (aunt) | |
| Folder | 32 | Biddle, J. D., 1846 | |
| Folder | 33 | Biddle, L. M., 1878 | |
| Folder | 34 | Biddle, Lydia Spencer, 1837, 1841-1848 (grandmother) | |
| Folders | 35-37 | Biddle, Mary Deborah Baird (Mrs. Henry J.), 1850s-1886, and undated (sister, b. 1829-d. 1900) | |
| Folder | 38 | Biddle, S. J. 1855 | |
| Folder | 39 | Biddle, Spencer Fullerton Baird, 1865-1885 (nephew) | |
| Folder | 40 | Biddle, William B., 1867, 1870, 1881 | |
| Folder | 41 | Biddle, W. M., 1854 | |
| Folder | 42 | Miscellaneous Baird/Biddle correspondence. |
Box 39 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Churchill, Alice (Mrs. Charles Cunningham), 1876-1881 (sister-in-law) | |
| Folders | 2-4 | Churchill, Charles Cunningham, 1845-1887 (brother-in-law) | |
| Folder | 5 | Churchill, E. M. (Mrs. William Hunter), 1858 | |
| Folders | 6-11 | Churchill, Franklin Hunter, 1848-1887 (brother-in-law) | |
| Folder | 12 | Churchill, James, circa 1852 | |
| Folder | 13 | Churchill, Josie, 1872-1873 (niece) | |
| Folder | 14 | Churchill, J. P., 1885 | |
| Folders | 15-17 | Churchill, Lucy Hunter, 1818-1942, 1860-1862 (mother-in-law, d. 1862) | |
| Folders | 18-19 | Churchill, Richard Randolph Cuyler, 1859-1879 (nephew) | |
| Folder | 20 | Churchill, Sylvester (father-in-law, b. 1783-d. 1862). Certificates of promotion in rank in the United States Army, 1836, 1841, 1846, 1847. | |
| Folder | 21 | Churchill, Sylvester. Correspondence from his wife and children, 1832. | |
| Folder | 22 | Churchill, Sylvester. Correspondence with his mother-in-law, Mary Hunter, 1842. | |
| Folders | 23-24 | Churchill, Sylvester. Correspondence with his son-in-law, Spencer F. Baird, 1848-1862. | |
| Folder | 25 | Churchill, Sylvester. Miscellaneous receipts, 1805-1814. | |
| Folder | 26 | Churchill, William Hunter (brother-in-law, d. 1847). Correspondence with his cousin, Villeroy Aikens, 1830. | |
| Folder | 27 | Churchill, William Hunter, Jr., 1878 (nephew) | |
| Folder | 28 | Churchill/Hunter Family Memorabilia. Included are tickets to balls; a directory of living quarters of members of Congress, 1818; and a silhouette of an unidentified woman. | |
| Folder | 29 | Clinton (?), V. B., 1869 | |
| Folder | 30 | Cutting, Churchill H., 1870-1884 (Mary H. C. Baird's cousin) | |
| Folder | 31 | Cutting, Elizabeth M. (Mrs. Sewall S.), 1870 | |
| Folder | 32 | Cutting, F. H., 1853 | |
| Folder | 33 | Cutting, Gardiner S., 1853, 1864, 1876 (Mary H. C. Baird's cousin) | |
| Folder | 34 | Cutting, Guy H., 1848, 1853 | |
| Folders | 35-38 | Cutting, Sewall S., 1837-1881 (Mary H. C. Baird's cousin) | |
| Folder | 39 | Cutting, Sewall S. Contains "Pittsburgh Papers," including copies of Sylvester Churchill correspondence to various persons concerning accusations of disobedience against him, 1826-1827. | |
| Folder | 40 | Cutting, William J., 1847-1858 | |
| Folder | 41 | Hunter, Franklin (Mary H. C. Baird's uncle). Correspondence to his sister, Lucy Hunter Churchill, 1817-1818. | |
| Folder | 42 | Hunter, William (Mary H. C. Baird's grandfather, b. 1754-d. 1827). Certificates of election as Judge of Probate, District of Windsor, Vermont, 1801-1815. | |
| Folder | 43 | Hunter, William. Correspondence with his brother-in-law, Asa Aikens, 1818. | |
| Folder | 44 | Hunter, William. Correspondence with his daughter, Lucy Hunter Churchill, 1818-1819. | |
| Folder | 45 | Hunter, William. Memorandum of agreement, witnessed and signed by Lucy Hunter Churchill and William Hunter, 1814. | |
| Folder | 46 | Hunter, William. Promissory note, 1793. | |
| Folder | 47 | Hunter, William. Receipts, 1807, 1809, 1817. | |
| Folder | 48 | Hunter, William G., 1862, 1869 | |
| Folder | 49 | Penrose, Charles Bingham, 1841, 1851-1852, 1857 (uncle) | |
| Folder | 50 | Penrose, Clement Biddle, 1844-1882 (cousin) | |
| Folder | 51 | Penrose, Mary L., 1868 (cousin) | |
| Folder | 52 | Penrose, Richard Alexander Fullerton, 1843-1869 (cousin) | |
| Folder | 53 | Penrose, Valeria Fullerton Biddle, 1823, 1866-1880 (aunt) | |
| Folder | 54 | Penrose, W. M., 1840-1857 (cousin) | |
| Folder | 55 | Penrose, W. M., 1868 |
This series consists of letters of condolence sent to family members after Baird's death, 1887; announcements of membership from scientific organizations, including membership certificates, 1855-1878; letters of congratulations upon Baird's election as SI Secretary, 1878; copies of letters of recommendation sent to the SI Board of Regents in response to Baird's application for Curator position, 1847-1850; invitations to expositions; travel arrangements; a draft letter to President James A. Garfield recommending a diplomatic position for a friend; correspondence with scientists regarding photograph requests, 1884-1886; and pay (salary) receipts.
Box 40 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Board of Regents, Smithsonian Institution, 1887. Resolution of condolence to the Baird family. | |
| Folder | 2 | Calling Cards | |
| Folder | 3 | Condolences, 1887 | |
| Folder | 4 | Congratulations, 1878. On Spencer F. Baird's election as Secretary of SI. | |
| Folder | 5 | Curatorship, 1847. Copies of letters of recommendation from scientists and politicians to members of the Board of Regents and to Joseph Henry. | |
| Folder | 6 | Exhibition and Exposition invitations, 1873-1886 | |
| Folder | 7 | Fulton Market Fish Mongers' Association, 1888. Resolution of condolence to the Baird family. | |
| Folder | 8 | Japan, 1887. Hokusui Kyokwai (Northern Fisheries Society) articles (in Japanese) on Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 9 | Monroe, M. C., circa 1881. Spencer F. Baird's draft letter to President James A. Garfield recommending Monroe for a diplomatic post. | |
| Folder | 10 | Pay receipts, May-July 1887 | |
| Folder | 11 | Photograph requests, 1884-1886. Incoming correspondence in response to Spencer F. Baird's circular requesting photographs of American scientists. | |
| Folders | 12-14 | Scientific organizations, 1855-1887. Letters and certificates of membership from scientific organizations. Also includes extracted descriptions of certificates written on index cards (transcriber unknown). Oversize certificates were removed to map case. | |
| Folder | 15 | Smithsonian Institution, 1887. Formal announcement of the death of Spencer Fullerton Baird, LL.D. | |
| Folder | 16 | Travel arrangements, 1882-1887 |
This series consists of Spencer F. Baird's journals and diaries in which he described the weather and daily events. Typescripts of these entries were made by Baird's daughter, Lucy Hunter Baird, in preparation for a biography of her father. These typescripts are part of series 16.
Box 41 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Journals, October 26, 1838-May 9, 1839, May 1841-November 1843 | |
| Folder | 2 | Journals, May 1, 1839-December 1, 1850. Bound volume. Includes lists of letters written and received, 1844-1850; lists of books read, 1846; and copies of letters to George R. Gray, Zoological Department, British Museum, and to H. R. Lichtenstein, Director of the Zoological Museum, Berlin, 1845. | |
| Folders | 3-5 | Journals, January 1, 1866-December 31, 1879 |
Box 42 of 73
| Folders | 1-3 | Journals, January 1, 1880-December 31, 1885 | |
| Folder | 4 | Journals, January 1, 1886-May 25, 1887. Entries for May 11-25, 1887, are not in Baird's handwriting. | |
| Folders | 5-8 | Diaries, 1851, 1852, 1855, 1859 |
Box 43 of 73
| Folders | 1-6 | Diaries, 1851-1865 | |
| Folder | 7 | Diaries, January 1, 1861-December 31, 1865. Copied from the originals (transcriber unknown). | |
| Folder | 8 | Abstract on health, 1885-1887. Spencer F. Baird's entries in which he described his health. | |
| Folder | 9 | Miscellaneous abstracts: F(ish) C(ommission) Report, 1879; Miscellaneous articles, 1879; Abstract of work done in 1879; Memorandum of events, 1879. |
This series documents Spencer F. Baird's scientific interests, especially in the synonymy of North American fauna. Also included are parts of Baird's translation of the Bilder-Atlas zum Conversation Lexicon from German to English. The American version, Iconographic Encyclopedia of Science, Literature, and Art, was published by Rudolph Garrigue of New York in 1852. Documents contain specimen lists; a draft of the synopsis of North American birds; drafts of monographs; extracts; publications; drawings; and bibliographical references. Iconographic Encyclopedia materials include Baird's drafts on certain subjects distributed to colleagues for editing; an unbound German version of the Bilder-Atlas; and lithographs.
This series is divided into three parts: Birds, Iconographic Encyclopedia, and Natural History, and alphabetically by subject thereunder.
Box 44 of 73
BIRDS
| Folder | 1 | Anatidae. "Monograph of the Anatidae," by T. C. Eyton, London, 1838. | |
| Folder | 2 | Batrachia. "Revision of the North American Tailed Batrachia with description of new genera and species," by Spencer F. Baird, 1849. Also included is a printed version published by the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, October, 1849. | |
| Folder | 3 | California. Three copies of the "Catalogue of North American Birds," Smithsonian Institution Miscellaneous Collection, 1859. Each catalogue has symbols and notations pertaining to lists of color drawings and illustrations of the collection of Californian birds in the SI collection. This information was probably sent to the Geological Survey of California during 1865. | |
| Folder | 4 | California. "Notes on Birds Collected in California," by Colbert A. Canfield, undated. | |
| Folder | 5 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Birds seen about in Cumberland County and Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1840-1843. | |
| Folder | 6 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Lists of birds shot in the vicinity of Carlisle, 1840-1844. | |
| Folder | 7 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania. "Catalogue of Birds Found in the Neighborhood of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa.," by Spencer F. Baird, 1845. | |
| Folder | 8 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Catalogue of birds in the Baird collection, 1839-1844. | |
| Folder | 9 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania. First appearance of birds in Carlisle, 1840-1844. | |
| Folder | 10 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania. List of osteological preparation made, 1841-1842. | |
| Folder | 11 | Catalogue. Catalogue of Baird's bird collection (?), undated. | |
| Folder | 12 | Central America and the Caribbean. "S. F. Baird's list," catalogue of birds. Published list of birds with notations, undated. | |
| Folder | 13 | Central America and the Caribbean. Description of birds. In English, Spanish and Latin, undated. | |
| Folder | 14 | Central America and the Caribbean. Descriptions of birds from various publications (?), 1867. | |
| Folder | 15 | Central America and the Caribbean. "List of Mexican, Central American and West Indian Birds Not Contained in the Collection of the Smithsonian Institution," by Spencer F. Baird, undated. | |
| Folder | 16 | Coerebidae. "Monograph of Coerebidae," by Spencer F. Baird, undated. | |
| Folder | 17 | Costa Rica. List of birds of Costa Rica, undated. | |
| Folder | 18 | District of Columbia. List of birds observed in the District of Columbia, by William McFunn Baird, up to March 1844. | |
| Folder | 19 | Drawings: Color drawings of birds by Spencer F. Baird, 1839 | |
| Folder | 20 | Drawings: Grallatores and Rasores (comparative anatomy) | |
| Folder | 21 | Drawings: Insessores (anatomical drawings with notes) |
Box 45 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Drawings: List of drawings | |
| Folder | 2 | Drawings: Natatores | |
| Folder | 3 | Drawings: Raptores | |
| Folder | 4 | Eggs and Nests. List of bird eggs and nests in the SI, 1858-1859, by Spencer F. Baird. Bound volume incorporating the "Catalogue of North American Birds." | |
| Folder | 5 | Egg Emptying. Note on emptying eggs, by Spencer F. Baird, undated. | |
| Folder | 6 | Europe. "Catalogue of Birds of Europe," by Carlo Bonaparte, 1842. Extracts copied by Spencer F. Baird, 1845. | |
| Folder | 7 | Europe and North America. "Comparative List of the Birds of Europe and North America," by C. L. Bonaparte, 1842. Extracts copied by Spencer F. Baird, 1845. | |
| Folder | 8 | Expeditions. "Record of the Collection of North American Birds Brought In By Expeditions," by Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 9 | Fossils. Lists of fossils, 1858-1859. Bound volume incorporating the "Catalogue of North American Birds Chiefly in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution". Notations by Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 10 | Greenland. "Birds of Greenland," by Captain Sabine, undated. Copied by Spencer F. Baird, 1841. | |
| Folder | 11 | Grus Americana. "On the Habits of Brown Crane (Grus Americana), by Robert Kennicott, February 1854. Copied by unknown person; title by Spencer F. Baird. |
Box 46 of 73
| Folder | 1 | History of North American Birds . Miscellaneous notes. Pertain to the book, published in 1874. | |
| Folder | 2 | History of North American Birds. Proof plates of color drawings of heads of birds, 1875. Include prints of Robert Ridgway pencil drawings. | |
| Folder | 3 | Helminthophaga virgincae, Baird. Spencer F. Baird's manuscript, undated. | |
| Folder | 4 | March, W. Thomas. Lists and brief notes on birds sent to SI, 1862-1863. | |
| Folder | 5 | Moulting. "Register of Moulting of Birds," by Spencer F. Baird, 1844-1847. | |
| Folder | 6 | Muscuapinae. "Monograph of the Muscuapinae of the United States," by Spencer F. Baird, undated. | |
| Folder | 7 | Museum List. Bound volume of lists of birds sent and received, 1842-1851. Possibly for Baird's private museum, not USNM. | |
| Folders | 8-9 | Museum Register. Lists of birds in the SI collection, circa 1835-circa 1865. |
Box 47 of 73
| Folder | 1 | North American Birds. "Corrected List N. A. Birds." Galley proof of specimen catalogue. | |
| Folder | 2 | North American Birds. "Notes Memoranda, N. A. Birds Done With," 1866. | |
| Folder | 3 | North American Birds. Proposed arrangement of N. A. birds by distribution. | |
| Folder | 4 | North American Birds. Proposed jacket cover for "The Birds of North America," drawing by Robert Ridgway, undated. | |
| Folders | 5-6 | North American Birds. Reference to descriptions of N. A. birds and index to collections of government expeditions. | |
| Folder | 7 | North American Birds. Report on birds. | |
| Folder | 8 | North American Birds. Miscellaneous specimen lists. | |
| Folder | 9 | Osteology of SI bird collection. Bound volume incorporating "Smithsonian Museum/North American Birds/Osteology," and the "Catalogue of North American Birds." | |
| Folder | 10 | Parasites. List of Anopleura, etc. Intestinal worms or parasites on birds or quadrupeds, 1846-1847. | |
| Folder | 11 | Raraforms and Hylaforms. By Spencer F. Baird, undated. Contains descriptions on new species of raraforms and hylaforms in SI. | |
| Folder | 12 | Sylvicola. By Spencer F. Baird, undated. Contains descriptions of Sylvicola. | |
| Folder | 13 | Sylvicola Kirtlandii. "Description of a new species of Sylvicola," by Spencer F. Baird, 1852. | |
| Folder | 14 | Tern. "Description of a Tern Thought to be New," by William M. and Spencer F. Baird, September 10, 1843. | |
| Folder | 15 | Unfigured Birds. Descriptions of birds in the SI museum not included in the Pacific Railroad Report, Volume 9, 1858, by Spencer F. Baird, 1860s. | |
| Folder | 16 | United States and Mexican Boundary Survey. "Notes Taken in Reference to the Birds Collected by the U.S. and Mexican Boundary Commission," by C. B. R. Kennerly, 1854-1855. | |
| Folder | 17 | Vireo. "Notes on the genus Vireo based upon specimens in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution," by Spencer F. Baird, undated. | |
| Folder | 18 | Vireosylvia Magister. Galley proof sheet from Birds of North America, 1873. | |
| Folder | 19 | Xantes, John. Lists of birds collected by John Xantes in Mazatlan, Mexico, 1861. Contains museum register sheets. | |
| Folder | 20 | Xantes, John. "Common names of the birds and mammals of Lower California," by John Xantes, 1861. | |
| Folder | 21 | Miscellaneous notes on birds, 1845, and 1850s. |
Boxes 48-49 of 73
Box 50 of 73
ICONOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOPEDIA
| Folder | 1 | Iconographic Encyclopedia, Manuscripts: Chemistry | |
| Folder | 2 | Iconographic Encyclopedia: Meteorology | |
| Folders | 3-4 | Iconographic Encyclopedia: Geology, Parts I and II | |
| Folder | 5 | Iconographic Encyclopedia: Geography |
Box 51 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Iconographic Encyclopedia, Manuscripts: Botany | |
| Folder | 2 | Iconographic Encyclopedia: Fish and Reptiles | |
| Folder | 3 | Iconographic Encyclopedia: Birds | |
| Folders | 4-5 | Iconographic Encyclopedia: Anthropology, Parts I and II |
Box 52 of 73
| Folders | 1-4 | Bilder-Atlas zum Converzation, pages 1-138, 153-230, 301-320, 355-424. Unbound copy in German. Folder 1 also includes notes in English and a handwritten table of contents for the German text. | |
| Folder | 5 | Bilder-Atlas zum Converzation, lithographic illustrations |
Box 53 of 73
NATURAL HISTORY
| Folder | 1 | Botany. "Instructions for the collection and preservation of botanical specimens," undated. | |
| Folder | 2 | Cacti. "Instructions for such as have an opportunity to observe and collect Cacti in the field," undated. | |
| Folder | 3 | Deer. Extract notes on reindeer and deer species, undated. | |
| Folder | 4 | Fish. Cottus gracilus, 1848. | |
| Folder | 5 | Fishes. Catalogue to Spencer F. Baird fish collection (?). | |
| Folder | 6 | Fishes. Drawings of fishes copied from article, "Fishes of the Ohio, " 1842. Drawings by Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 7 | Fishes. North American Fishes, galley plates. Lithograph illustrations. | |
| Folder | 8 | Fishes. Fishes from Cincinnati sent to Professor Agassiz, 1851. | |
| Folder | 9 | Fishes. "Description of new species of fishes collected in Texas, New Mexico, and Sonora by Mr. John H. Clark on the U.S. and Mexican Boundary Survey and in Texas by Captain van Vliet, USA," by Spencer F. Baird and Charles Giraud, 1854. | |
| Folder | 10 | Fishes. Miscellaneous notes, undated. | |
| Folder | 11 | Frogs. "Monograph of North American Frogs," by Spencer F. Baird, 1854 (never published). A perfected copy was given to Professor E. D. Cope, February 1, 1867. | |
| Folder | 12 | Geographical distribution of animals other than birds, 1850s | |
| Folder | 13 | Hare. Lepus baird(?), circa 1867. | |
| Folder | 14 | Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles. Bibliography of publications copied on cards, summer 1868. | |
| Folder | 15 | Mammals. "Characteristics of some new species of mammalia collected by the U.S. and Mexican Boundary Survey, Major W. H. Emory, USA, Commissioner," by Spencer F. Baird, 1855. | |
| Folder | 16 | North American Mammals. "Catalogue of North American Mammals," by Spencer F. Baird, 1857. | |
| Folders | 17-18 | North American Mammals. Index to description of North American Mammals, up to 1857, by Spencer F. Baird, February 1, 1867. | |
| Folder | 19 | Mammals. Catalogue to Spencer F. Baird's mammal collection (?). |
Box 54 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Mollusks and Shellfishes. Lists of mollusks and shellfishes from Nicaragua and Alaska, 1865-1867. | |
| Folder | 2 | Natural History. List of publications (arranged by author), 1850-1883. | |
| Folder | 3 | Natural Sciences. Extracts from various articles, 1838-1844. Primarily concerning ornithology. | |
| Folder | 4 | Pacific Railroad Reports, Volumes I-XII, 1854-1860. Extracts from various volumes. | |
| Folder | 5 | Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences (PANS). List of specimens described in the PANS publications. Used for Pacific Railroad Reports, 1855-1865. | |
| Folder | 6 | Physical Technology. "Physical Technology or Introduction to the Preparation of Physical Experiments and the Construction of Physical Apparatus With The Simplest Possible Means," by J. Frick, undated. Extracts by Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 7 | Quadrupeds. List of quadrupeds of North America, 1841. Extracts from John James Audubon's manuscript by Spencer F. Baird. |
Box 55 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Reptiles. Assorted notes of observations, chiefly near Carlisle, Pa., 1847-1848. | |
| Folder | 2 | Reptiles. Catalogue to Spencer F. Baird's collection (?). | |
| Folder | 3 | Reptiles. "Characteristics of some new reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution," by Spencer F. Baird and Charles Giraud, 1852. | |
| Folder | 4 | Reptiles. Index to reptiles of North America, by Spencer F. Baird, undated. | |
| Folders | 5-7 | Reptiles. Notes, undated. | |
| Folder | 8 | Reptiles and Amphibians. Specimens received, 1851-1854. Spine of notebook reads "Museum Lists Receipts II". Contains names of donors and lists of specimens. | |
| Folder | 9 | Reptiles. Miscellaneous notes, undated. |
Box 56 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Serpents. Serpents of New York, by Spencer F. Baird, 1854. | |
| Folder | 2 | Shrews. "Remarks on the Shrews of North America," by Spencer F. Baird, 1861. Unpublished. | |
| Folder | 3 | Trees and Shrubs. "List of Trees and Shrubs in Herbarium," by Spencer F. Baird, June 20, 1841. | |
| Folder | 4 | Trees and Shrubs. "Contributions Toward a Catalogue of Trees and Shrubs of Cumberland County, Pa.," by Spencer F. Baird, February 1845. | |
| Folder | 5 | Vertebrates. Manuscript Indices-Vertebrata, undated, by Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 6 | Vertebrates. List of species of vertebrates in various journals and books. Extracts by Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 7 | Wild Cats. "Habits of Wild Cats," by Spencer F. Baird, 1842. | |
| Folder | 8 | Zoology. Index of works and articles on zoology by Spencer F. Baird, 1844; Index of Birds, 1845. | |
| Folder | 9 | Zoology. Extract from letter of Dr. Sartorius, Merador, Mexico, August 15, 18??. | |
| Folder | 10 | Zoology. Natural history memoranda for Dr. Hayn, by Spencer F. Baird. Instructions for collecting specimens in the Arctic region. |
This series contains scientific articles preserved in letterpress books, written by Spencer F. Baird.
Box 57 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Color Chart, by Spencer F. Baird, undated | |
| Folder | 2 | Comets and Asteroids. Proposal to record extraterrestrials observed across the Atlantic Ocean, undated. | |
| Folder | 3 | Comparative Zoology, Museum of. List of employees, 1871-1872. | |
| Folder | 4 | Griest, Ernest. Extracted articles, undated. Copied by Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 5 | Hudson Bay Company. List of correspondents, 1872. | |
| Folder | 6 | Library Arrangement. Proposed system of arrangement, undated. | |
| Folder | 7 | North American Mammals. Catalogue of North American Mammals, circa 1857. Includes miscellaneous notes and publication expenses. | |
| Folder | 8 | Outline for book (?), 1874 | |
| Folder | 9 | "Water Company," circa 1820. Part correspondence and part essay on the problem of providing drinking water in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Author unknown. | |
| Folder | 10 | "Workshop." Incomplete instructions on the use of shop, undated. Author unknown. | |
| Folder | 11 | Miscellaneous manuscripts |
Box 58 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Album. Contains drawings by William Hunter Churchill, lithographic prints of West Point, New York, and drawings by unknown artists. Oversize drawings by Spencer F. Baird consist of sketches of the Nescopeck Creek Railroad Bridge across the Schuykill River; houses and countryside scenes around Carlisle, Pa., 1841, 1845; mechanical drawings, circa 1838-1839; and natural history drawings (birds, plants, snails, and insects), 1839-1842. See oversize in map case. | |
| Folder | 2 | Expense receipts, 1846, 1847 | |
| Folder | 3 | Humor extracts | |
| Folder | 4 | Medical, miscellaneous. Includes Spencer F. Baird's body weight, April 13, 1886 to April 15, 1887, and doctor's advice, April 20, 1886. | |
| Folder | 5 | Music, 1842-1843. Composed by Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 6 | Notebook: Expenses and lists of books borrowed or read, November 1836 | |
| Folder | 7 | Notebook: Newspaper articles, and Roman history test (questions and answers), 1836, 1838 | |
| Folder | 8 | Notebook: Lists of books, family birth dates (page 66), and personal miscellany, 1836-1839 | |
| Folder | 9 | Notebook: Personal Miscellany, 1837 | |
| Folder | 10 | Notebook: Scientific notes, 1837-1840 | |
| Folder | 11 | Notebook: Meteorological data, Carlisle, Pa., May-June 1838 | |
| Folder | 12 | Notebook: Personal expenses, 1839 | |
| Folder | 13 | Notebook: Field and scientific notes and specimen lists, 1839-1841 | |
| Folder | 14 | Notebook: Expense book, Carlisle, 1846-1848 | |
| Folder | 15 | Notebook: Mathematical extracts, undated. Copied by Spencer F. Baird. | |
| Folder | 16 | Photographs and Portraits, 1847-1882, and undated. Includes: Silhouettes of Spencer F. Baird and Mary Helen Baird, undated; Spencer F. Baird, November 11, 1854; Lydia MacFunn Biddle Baird and granddaughter, 1866; Lucy Hunter Baird, 1876, International Exposition of Philadelphia admission pass; Mary Helen Baird, 1876, International Exposition of Philadelphia admission pass; Mary Helen Baird, 1882, Photograph by T. W. Smillie; Baird Family house, Carlisle, Pa., 1914 | |
| Folder | 17 | Property tax statement, 1878 | |
| Folder | 18 | Recipes | |
| Folder | 19 | "Tales about the islands in the Pacific Ocean," by Peter Parley, 1831. A gift to Spencer F. Baird from his father, later handed down to his daughter, Lucy Hunter Baird. |
From 1846 to 1850, Spencer F. Baird taught natural history and chemistry at Dickinson College. In addition to teaching, Baird was in charge of the college's natural history collection, and served as the college librarian. This series consists of Baird's drafts of annual reports and lecture notes.
Box 59 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Lecture Notes: Mostly on comparative anatomy, 1846-1850 | |
| Folder | 2 | Lecture Notes: Land birds, spring 1849. Delivered before freshman class. | |
| Folder | 3 | Lecture Notes: Physics and chemistry, 1849-1850 | |
| Folders | 4-5 | Reports, 1847-1849. Includes annual reports of Baird's activities as professor, librarian, and keeper of natural history. Folder 5 includes list of specimens in Natural History collection. |
Spencer F. Baird served as Permanent Secretary of the AAAS from 1852 to 1854. Baird's duties as Permanent Secretary were to attend the AAAS meetings, and to write and publish the semi-annual reports. In 1852, Baird sent out to AAAS members a circular which included the following questions: name, address, occupation, and field of interest. The responses to these circulars are included in this series. Also included are member lists, correspondence registers, meeting announcements, and financial records. For incoming AAAS correspondence, see series 3. For outgoing AAAS correspondence, see series 2.
Box 59 of 73
| Folder | 6 | AAAS: Records of distribution of Proceedings, 1852. Includes lists of members and drafts for annual report. | |
| Folder | 7 | AAAS: Financial Records, 1850-1854. Includes account book and receipts. | |
| Folder | 8 | AAAS: Letter Book, 1850-1853. Includes lists of incoming and outgoing correspondence. | |
| Folder | 9 | AAAS: Notebook, 1853-1854. Includes lists of miscellaneous memoranda; nominations at the Cleveland and Washington, D. C., meetings; and receipts and expenses. | |
| Folder | 10 | AAAS: Proceedings and Member lists, 1848-1887. Contains published lists of members and meeting announcements. |
Box 60 of 73
This series consists of drafts of SI annual reports, 1852-1877, including annual reports for the USCFF; diaries, mostly documenting library and visitor activities; distribution lists of SI publications; specimen distribution lists; correspondence, mostly concerning specimens; memoranda; and circulars to SI correspondents, 1875.
Box 61 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Annual Reports, 1852-1853, 1867. Concern explorations, and specimen and publication exchanges with foreign institutions. | |
| Folder | 2 | Annual Reports, 1857-1865 | |
| Folder | 3 | Annual Reports, 1871 | |
| Folder | 4 | Annual Reports, 1867-1877. Includes reports for the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries. |
Box 62 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Assistant Secretary of the SI, 1884. Includes draft proposal to appoint William J. Rhees as Assistant Secretary. | |
| Folder | 2 | Correspondence and Publications, 1853-1883. Contains list of names and publications sent out. | |
| Folder | 3 | Diary, 1861. Documents books withdrawn and returned from SI Library, and meteorological data for Washington, D. C. Author unknown. | |
| Folder | 4 | Diary, 1870. Documents the coming and going of visitors to SI building. Author unknown. | |
| Folders | 5-6 | Explorations, 1865, 1869. Contains SI annual report drafts on various SI exploration activities. | |
| Folder | 7 | Foreign scientific institutions and scientists, 1861, 1867-1869. Contains lists of publications sent abroad. |
Box 63 of 73
| Folder | 1 | General Order, 1867. Includes Joseph Henry's memorandum regarding official Smithsonian correspondence. | |
| Folder | 2 | Gillis' Report, 1853-1854. Includes statement of expenditure for publishing Lt. Gillis' report. | |
| Folder | 3 | Government scientific collections, circa 1857. Contains draft and galley proofs of circular pertaining to SI's role in maintaining United States government scientific collections. | |
| Folder | 4 | Journal, 1850-1854. Documents publications and specimens sent and received by the SI, and expense estimates for publishing reports. | |
| Folder | 5 | Memoranda and expense receipts, circa 1846-1887 | |
| Folder | 6 | Natural History, circa 1867. Concerns distribution of publications. | |
| Folder | 7 | Patent Office, 1856. Contains summary of natural history collections kept at the Patent Office. | |
| Folder | 8 | Smithsonian Contribution to Knowledge, 1859. Inventory lists. | |
| Folder | 9 | Smithsonian Publications, 1864, 1871. Inventory lists. | |
| Folder | 10 | Smithsonian Publications, 1881, 1882. Contains "Checklist of Publications of the SI, to December 1881," including Spencer F. Baird's inventory of SI books, January 1882. | |
| Folder | 11 | Specimen lists, 1852-1858. Documents specimens received, loaned out, or borrowed by the SI. | |
| Folder | 12 | Suckley, George, 1855. Includes list and receipts of publication sent to Suckley. | |
| Folder | 13 | United States National Museum, 1880. Draft reports for FY 1880. | |
| Folder | 14 | Miscellaneous computations | |
| Folder | 15 | Answers to Circulars, original front cover | |
| Folder | 16 | Circular (copy) | |
| Folder | 17 | Answers to Circulars, Abell-Avery | |
| Folder | 18 | Answers to Circulars, Baer-Bogue | |
| Folder | 19 | Answers to Circulars, Bois-Byrnes | |
| Folder | 20 | Answers to Circulars, Cabaniss-Cutting |
Box 64 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Answers to Circulars, DaCosta-Fuller | |
| Folder | 2 | Answers to Circulars, Gardiner-Gunn | |
| Folder | 3 | Answers to Circulars, Haas-Hyland | |
| Folder | 4 | Answers to Circulars, Ingalls-Luther | |
| Folder | 5 | Answers to Circulars, Mack-Myers | |
| Folder | 6 | Answers to Circulars, Nafis-Quick | |
| Folder | 7 | Answers to Circulars, Randle-Rust | |
| Folder | 8 | Answers to Circulars, Safford-Swiggert | |
| Folder | 9 | Answers to Circulars, Talbot-Tyson | |
| Folder | 10 | Answers to Circulars, Uhler-Younglove | |
| Folder | 11 | Answers to Circulars, Unidentified names |
Box 65 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Specimen Distribution, index, 1846-1866 | |
| Folders | 2-7 | Specimen Distribution, 1846-1866. Documents to distribution of specimens to U.S. institutions. Includes correspondence with recipients. | |
| Folder | 8 | Specimens Distributed/Desiderata of Correspondents, 1846-1866. Bound volume containing specimen catalogs with annotations, mostly by Spencer F. Baird. Documents specimen collection, organized by individual and institution. |
Spencer F. Baird assisted the various exploring expeditions sponsored by the United States government, providing instruments, equipment, and personnel.
This series consists of lists and receipts for equipment purchased by SI between 1850 and 1876. The Pacific Railroad Surveying Expeditions, 1852-1855, the North Pacific Surveying and Exploring Expedition, 1853-1854, the United States and Mexican Boundary Surveying Expedition, 1852-1854, the United States Arctic Expedition, 1866, the Hudson Bay Territory (Canada) Expedition, 1859-1862, the Upper Yellowstone Expedition, 1871, and expeditions to Central and South America are represented in this series.
Box 66 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Account Books, 1852-1855 | |
| Folder | 2 | Bessels, Emil, 1870-1872. Contains reimbursement for property lost during the U. S. Arctic Expedition (Polaris). | |
| Folder | 3 | Carlisle, Pa., 1876. Concerns Spencer F. Baird's cave exploration. | |
| Folder | 4 | Hudson Bay Territory Expedition, 1859-1862 | |
| Folder | 5 | New York State Cabinet of Natural History, 1853 | |
| Folder | 6 | MacFarlane, Roderick Ross, undated (Accession 06-281) | |
| Folder | 7 | Marcy, Captain R. B., 1853. Contains receipts of payment received by individuals who worked on reports of Marcy's Pacific Railroad expedition (38th Parallel). | |
| Folder | 8 | Pacific Railroad Survey (47th to 49th Parallel), 1853 | |
| Folder | 9 | Page, Thomas Jefferson, 1852-1853. Concerns expedition to Rio Paran and Rio de la Plata, South America. Includes correspondence from Asa Gray to Spencer F. Baird regarding payment for supplies purchased for Page. | |
| Folder | 10 | Palmer, Edward, 1870. Concerns expedition down the Colorado River from Utah. Includes drafts of report on expedition. | |
| Folder | 11 | Peters, D. W. C., 1856. Contains list of apparatus sent to Peters in New Mexico. | |
| Folders | 12-13 | Ringgold Expedition, 1853-1855. Concerns North Pacific Surveying and Exploring Expedition. | |
| Folder | 14 | Samuels, E., 1855. Contains list of apparatus shipped to Samuels in California. | |
| Folder | 15 | Trowbridge, Lt. William Pettit, 1853. Concerns survey of western coast. | |
| Folder | 16 | United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, 1853-1856 | |
| Folder | 17 | Upper Yellowstone Expedition, 1873. Includes correspondence recruiting scientists. | |
| Folder | 18 | Woodhouse, Samuel W., 1853. Concerns expedition to Central America (Nicaragua). |
From 1871 until his death in 1887, Spencer F. Baird served as Commissioner of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries (USCFF). Baird received no compensation and charged no rent to the USCFF for its use of his home for office space.
This series documents Baird's involvement in the Chenowith Case of 1885. James Chenowith, an auditor for the United States Treasury, accused the USCFF and Baird for unauthorized use of government funds to build living quarters for staff members at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where the USCFF had its summer headquarters. In the end, Baird and the USCFF were exonerated of any misdeed. This series also documents the lobbying efforts by Baird supporters to compensate the Baird family after Spencer F. Baird's death for his service and the use of his home for office space. In 1888, Congress passed a sundry bill in which the Baird family received $50,000.00 in compensation.
Also included are a confidential letter regarding the dismissal of an USCFF employee and his reappointment to a position at SI; reports and receipts; and an authorization letter from the United States Department of the Interior appointing Baird as Commissioner of the USCFF.
Box 67 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Appropriation sheets, 1884, 1886. Includes estimates of expenses. | |
| Folder | 2 | Chenowith Case: Abstracts from newspaper articles, 1885 | |
| Folder | 3 | Chenowith Case: Correspondence, 1885 | |
| Folder | 4 | Chenowith Case: Newspaper articles, 1885 | |
| Folder | 5 | Compensation: Congressional Proceedings, and other reports, 1888 | |
| Folder | 6 | Compensation: Congressional Record, and excerpts, 1888 | |
| Folder | 7 | Compensation: Correspondence and notes, 1888 | |
| Folder | 8 | Compensation: Newspaper articles, 1888 | |
| Folder | 9 | Congressional bill creating Fish Commission, 1871 | |
| Folder | 10 | Ferguson, Thomas B., 1887-1888. Includes newspaper articles on his efforts to succeed Baird as USCFF Commissioner. | |
| Folder | 11 | General, 1885-1887. Includes newspaper articles concerning USCFF, and fish breeding. | |
| Folder | 12 | Hessel, Rudolph, 1881. Includes complaint against Louis Gury, a watchman for the USCFF building. | |
| Folder | 13 | Letter of Appointment, 1871. Includes letter from U. S. Department of State announcing Baird's appointment as Commissioner and as SI Secretary. | |
| Folder | 14 | McCue, Alexander, 1887. McCue succeeded Baird as USCFF Commissioner. Folder includes newspaper articles. | |
| Folder | 15 | Memoranda to Congress, 1879, 1886. Includes drafts of memoranda describing Baird's relationships to the USCFF as Commissioner and as SI Secretary. | |
| Folder | 16 | Receipts for private purchases, 1885-1886. Used as evidence that no public funds were used. | |
| Folder | 17 | Reports, 1884, and undated | |
| Folder | 18 | Miscellaneous memoranda, 1887 |
Lucy Hunter Baird (1848-1913) transcribed some of her father's correspondence and journal entries for a biography of her father. Other persons involved with the biography of Spencer F. Baird included George Brown Goode and William Healey Dall. Dall published a biography of Baird in 1915.
This series includes correspondence between the biographers and other persons acquainted with Spencer F. Baird, mostly concerning photographs of Baird and the Baird residence in Carlisle, and genealogical information. Also included are transcribed notes extracted from Baird's journals, 1838-1853; correspondence concerning a portrait and statue of Baird for SI, and the USCFF headquarters at Woods Hole; and miscellaneous Lucy Hunter Baird notes and correspondence.
Box 68 of 73
| Folders | 1-3 | Biographers' Correspondence, A-Z, 1888-1923 | |
| Folder | 4 | Biographers' Miscellaneous notes | |
| Folder | 5 | Biographers' notes. Mostly by Lucy Hunter Baird. | |
| Folder | 6 | Genealogy: Family trees and notes | |
| Folder | 7 | Genealogy: Genealogical Collections Concerning the Sir-Name of Baird, etc. Contains a description of Baird families in England and Scotland between the 15th and 18th centuries. | |
| Folder | 8 | Genealogy: Genealogical tree of the Baird and Potts families, by Spencer F. Baird, 1840 | |
| Folder | 9 | Genealogy: Summaries of Baird ancestors. Correspondence mostly with George Brown Goode, 1890. | |
| Folder | 10 | Genealogy: Notes and Extracts from Baird's journals, 1838-1884. By Lucy Hunter Baird. | |
| Folders | 11-12 | Genealogy: Notes and Extracts from Baird's journals, October 26, 1838-August 22, 1846 |
Box 68A of 73
| Folders | 1-4 | Genealogy: Notes and Extracts from Baird's journals, August 28, 1846-November 1, 1853 | |
| Folder | 5 | Baird statue and portrait, 1888-1894. Concerns congressional action regarding Baird statue. | |
| Folder | 6 | Woods Hole Monuments, 1890-1900 | |
| Folder | 7 | Baird, Lucy Hunter, 1888, 1901. Contains correspondence. |
Box 69 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Baird, Lucy Hunter, 1913. Includes obituaries and probate of will. | |
| Folder | 2 | Baird, Mary Helen Churchill, 1881. Includes an article on Mrs. Baird's improved health. | |
| Folders | 3-4 | Baird, Spencer Fullerton, Biographies and memoirs, 1887-1980 | |
| Folder | 5 | Baird, Spencer Fullerton, General, 1880-1887 |
Box 69A of 73
| Folder | 6 | Baird, Spencer Fullerton, Obituaries, 1887 | |
| Folder | 7 | Baird, Spencer Fullerton, Probate of will, 1887 | |
| Folder | 8 | Baird, Spencer Fullerton, Proceedings of Societies, 1871-1874 | |
| Folder | 9 | Baird, Spencer Fullerton, Promotion to Secretary of the SI, 1878 | |
| Folder | 10 | Baird, Spencer Fullerton, Rumor of Baird's transfer to Yale University. Includes interviews with reporters, 1885. | |
| Folder | 11 | Baird, Spencer Fullerton, Baird statue, 1888 |
Box 70 of 73
| Folder | 1 | Harper's Monthly, "Editor's Scientific Record," April 1870-June 1874 | |
| Folder | 2 | Harvard University, 1886. Concerns Harvard's 250th anniversary. | |
| Folder | 3 | Mummies, 1881. Concerns unveiling of Egyptian and American mummies. | |
| Folder | 4 | Ridgway, Robert, 1887. Includes reviews of "A Manual of N. A. Birds." | |
| Folder | 5 | Smithsonian Institution, 1886-1888. Concerns Baird's successor, 1887; appointment of the Assistant Secretary, February 1887; an illiterate copyist, 1886; a summary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1886; and summaries of Joseph Henry's and Baird's roles at the SI, 1888. | |
| Folder | 6 | Spencer Fullerton Baird Naturalist Club, undated. Contains announcement of new club for naturalists, Reading, Pennsylvania. | |
| Folder | 7 | Miscellaneous articles | |
| Folder | 8 | Photographs sent to the Smithsonian Institution, 1880. Contains record book of American and foreign scientists responding to circulars. |
Box 70A of 73
| Folder | 9 | Publications. Includes "Directions for Collecting, Preserving, and Transporting Specimens of Natural History prepared for the Use of the Smithsonian Institution," by Spencer F. Baird, Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collection, No. 34, March 1859, 3rd edition; and "Hints for Preserving Objects of Natural History Prepared by professor S. F. Baird for Dickinson College," 1846. | |
| Folder | 10 | Addresses of scientists in the United States, 1873. Includes log of photograph circulars sent and received. |
This series consists of scientific articles and indices to scientific articles. The articles were extracted from scientific publications, mostly by Spencer F. Baird. They are arranged numerically, and preserved in letterpress books. The indices are contained in day books and index rerums. The entries were written by persons other than Baird.
Box 71 of 73
| Folders | 1-3 | Scientific articles, 1866-circa 1871 |
Box 72 of 73
| Folders | 1-5 | Indices to scientific publications arranged by subject, and names of individuals, circa 1830s, 1839, 1845, 1867, 1873 |
Box 73 of 73
| Folders | 1-11 | Day Books, 1867-1879. Indices to scientific publications, arranged numerically. (Books 1-9, numbers 1-10,000; Books 10-11, numbers 201-1352.) |
Oversize
Contact us at osiaref@si.edu
Revised: November 1, 2006