Smithsonian Institution Archives

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

Record Unit 7002
Spencer Fullerton Baird Papers,
1833-1889

Introduction

Historical Note

Chronology

Descriptive Entry

Series Descriptions

  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.


INTRODUCTION

The Spencer F. Baird Papers are the combination of several different deposits. One group was originally labeled "Private" by the Smithsonian Institution Archives at the time they were received. Another group came to the Smithsonian from Lucy Hunter Baird (Baird's daughter), or from her estate after her death.


HISTORICAL NOTE

Spencer Fullerton Baird, a zoologist and administrator, was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 3, 1823. After his father's death in 1833, Baird's family moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where other family members resided. Baird attended Nottingham Academy in Port Deposit, Maryland, during 1834, and Carlisle public school from 1835 to 1836. Baird then attended Dickinson College where he received an A.B. degree in 1840. During the fall of 1841, Baird was a medical apprentice under Dr. Middleton Goldsmith in New York City, but by January 1842, he decided not to pursue further studies in the medical field. He continued his education at Dickinson College and received an M.A. in 1843.

As a child in Carlisle, Baird developed an interest in natural history nurtured by long treks through the countryside in the company of his oldest brother, William, an accomplished amateur ornithologist. By 1840, Baird began a period of intensive studies and specimen collecting of natural history in the New England and mid-Atlantic states.

Baird was given an honorary professorship at Dickinson College in 1845. A year later, he received a permanent position at Dickinson in which he served as librarian and curator of the college's natural history collections, as well as professor of natural history.

Picture of Spencer F. Baird
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.


CHRONOLOGY

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.

EVENTS POST MORTEM

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.


DESCRIPTIVE ENTRY

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.


SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

SERIES 1.
CORRESPONDENCE REGISTER, 1850-1853.

Box 1 of 73
Folder1   Correspondence Register (Letters sent and received), 1850-1853
Folder2   Incoming Correspondence Index

SERIES 2.
PRIVATE OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE, LETTERPRESS BOOKS, 1849-1888.

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
Folders1-2   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.
Folders3A-5   Volumes 2-3. January 11, 1851-April 26, 1860. Includes excerpts from volume 2.

Box 3 of 73
Folders1-3   Volumes 4-5. June 17, 1856-December 30, 1864. Includes excerpts from volume 5.
Folder4   Volume 6. December 31, 1864-December 26, 1869.

Box 3A of 73
Folder1   Volume 7. December 31, 1864-December 26, 1869.

Box 4 of 73
Folders1-4   Volumes 8-11. December 25, 1869-May 28, 1872.

Box 5 of 73
Folders1-4   Volumes 12-15. May 29, 1872-May 13, 1874.

Box 6 of 73
Folders1-4   Volumes 16-19. May 14, 1874-June 24, 1876.

Box 7 of 73
Folders1-3   Volumes 20-22. June 24, 1876 (cont'd)-July 27, 1878.

Box 8 of 73
Folders1-3   Volumes 23-25. July 29, 1878-December 28, 1880.

Box 9 of 73
Folders1-3   Volumes 26-28. December 13, 1880-May 16, 1883.

Box 10 of 73
Folders1-4   Volumes 29-32. May 16, 1883 (cont`d)-March 31, 1885.

Box 11 of 73
Folders1-4   Volumes 33-36. April 1, 1885-June 21, 1887.

Box 12 of 73
Folder1   Volume 37. May 21, 1887-February 20, 1888.
Folder2   Volume 38. "Specially Private Letters," August 15, 1868-March 9, 1885.
Folder3   Volume 39. "Specially Private Letters," April 18, 1885-May 9, 1887.
Folder4   American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. September 14, 1850-April 5, 1854.

SERIES 3.
PRIVATE INCOMING AND OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE, 1845-1887.

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
Folder1   Aale, Nicolai(?), 1845
Folder2   Abbe, Cleveland, 1876-1881
Folder3   Abell-Abert
Folder4   Academy-Adams
Folder5   Adams Express Company, 1866-1885
Folders6-7   Agassiz, Alexander, 1873-1887
Folder8   Agassiz, Elizabeth C., 1870, 1885
Folder9   Agassiz, Lizzie, 1851, 1853
Folders10-14   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).
Folder15   Agriculture, United States Department of, 1867-1879
Folder16   Aigner-All
Folder17   Allen, G.-Allen, W.
Folder18   Almen-Alvord
Folder19   American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The, 1880; American and Foreign Teacher Agency, 1879
Folder20   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.
Folder21   American Association of the Red Cross-American Watch Company
Folder22   Ames-Appleton

Box 14 of 73
Folder1   Archer-Art
Folder2   Ashland-Ashmead
Folder3   Askew-Associated
Folder4   Atchison-Atwater, C.
Folders5-6   Atwater, Wilbur Olin, 1873-1879
Folder7   Atwood, Myrick-Atwood, N. E.
Folder8   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.
Folder9   Audubon, Victor Gifford, 1843, 1846, 1850, 1854
Folder10   Ayres, W. O., 1853, 1859
Folder11   Babcock, D. S.-Babcock, O. E.
Folder12   Bache, Alexander Dallas, 1852-1854
Folder13   Bacon-Bailliere
Folder14   Baird, A.-Baird, J.
Folder15   Baker G.-Baker, S.
Folder16   Baldwin-Bannister
Folder17   Barker, G. F., 1875-1883
Folder18   Barker, J.-Barryman
Folder19   Bartholo-Bayard
Folder20   Beale-Becker
Folder21   Beckhaus and Allgaier, 1860-1865
Folder22   Bectam-Belknap
Folder23   Bell-Beyerle
Folder24   Bibb-Biddle, C.
Folders25-30   Biddle, Thomas A. and Company, 1865-1887
Folder31   Bigelow-Bishop

Box 15 of 73
Folder1   Blackburn, Thomas, 1882
Folder2   Blackford, Eugene G., 1878-1884
Folder3   Blackwell-Blair
Folder4   Blake, C.-Blake, W.
Folder5   Bland-Blumenthal
Folders6-12   Boardman, George A., 1865, 1867-1887
Folder13   Boehmer-Boswell
Folder14   Boulton-Boyer
Folder15   Bradfield-Brehm
Folder16   Brevoort, J. Carson, 1852-1853, 1867-1878
Folder17   Brewer and Pilesher-Brewer, S.
Folders18-23   Brewer, Thomas M., 1844-1867

Box 16 of 73
Folders1-7   Brewer, Thomas M., 1868-1879
Folder8   Bridges-Brooks
Folder9   Brown, A. D.-Brown, S. A.
Folder10   Brown, S. C., 1882-1887
Folders11-12   Brown, Solomon G., 1855-1870
Folder13   Brown, T.-Bryan, E. C.
Folder14   Bryant, E. B., 1864-1878
Folders15-17   Bryant, Henry, 1859-1867, 1869
Folder18   Bryant, W. S.-Bryres
Folder19   B, unidentified

Box 17 of 73
Folder1   Cabinus-Candler
Folder2   Canfield-Cassin, C.
Folders3-13   Cassin, John, 1843-1868
Folder14   Cassin, R.-Caton
Folder15   Cemtire(?)-Century
Folder16   Centennial Commission, United States, 1873-1876
Folder17   Chadbourne, B. L., 1857, 1865-1870, 1879
Folder18   Chadbourne, L.-Chase
Folder19   Chenoworth-Chouteau
Folder20   Christian-Clark, J. H.
Folder21   Clark, John Henry, 1857-1882
Folder22   Clark, Joseph-Clarke

Box 18 of 73
Folder1   Clem-Clover
Folder2   Cluss, Adolf, 1878-1885
Folder3   Clutter-Collins
Folder4   Colt-Cooper
Folder5   Cope, Edward Drinker, 1869-1886
Folder6   Coppee-Corson
Folder7   Cosmos Club, 1878-1886
Folder8   Couch, Darius Nash, 1853-1855, 1860
Folders9-14   Coues, Elliott, 1864-1886
Folder15   Coues, S.-Cozzens
Folder16   Craig-Crawford
Folder17   Creswell-Curtis
Folder18   Cushing, Frank Hamilton, 1879, 1882
Folder19   Cushing, W.-Cuyler
Folder20   Dahlgren-Dall, C.
Folders21-25   Dall, William Healey, 1866-1885

Box 19 of 73
Folder1   Damon, G.-Damon, W.
Folder2   Dana, Edward Salisbury, 1874-1879
Folder3   Dana, Henrietta Silliman, 1866-1874
Folders4-5   Dana, James Dwight, 1844-1881. Includes a copy of "instruction of Captain Wilkes," 1838.
Folder6   Dandridge-Davidson
Folder7   Davis, A.-Davis, W.
Folder8   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.
Folder9   Deacon-Dexter
Folder10   Dickinson, C.-Dickinson, T.
Folder11   Diebitsch-Dieter
Folder12   Diggs, Meredith, 1878-1879
Folder13   Diggs, S.-Dinwiddie
Folder14   District of Columbia: Special Assessment Office, 1880, 1885-1886
Folder15   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
Folder16   Dixon-Doe
Folders17-19   Donaldson, Thomas, 1876-1887
Folder20   Dorflinger-Dow
Folder21   Draper-Drexler
Folder22   Dubarry-Dwight
Folder23   Earll-Easton
Folder24   Edmunds, George F., 1868-1886
Folder25   Edmunds, M.-Edmunds, S.
Folder26   Edwards-Elliot
Folders27-28   Elliott, Daniel Giraud, 1863-1864, 1869
Folders29-30   Elliott, Henry W., 1863-1886
Folder31   Elliott, L.-Elwyn

Box 20 of 73
Folder1   Emmerich-Eno
Folder2   Eschricht-Executive
Folder3   Fabbri-Farley
Folders4-5   Farlow, W. G., 1874-1886
Folder6   Farmers-Fay, H.
Folders7-9   Fay, Joseph S., 1863-1886
Folder10   Fay, S.-Felton
Folder11   Ferguson, J.-Ferguson, S.
Folders12-17   Ferguson, Thomas B., 1878
Folder18   Feuardent-Fitch
Folder19   Flegel-Flint
Folders20-21   Flugel, Felix, 1858-1870
Folder22   Flugel, T.-Forbes
Folder23   Force, William Q., 1863-1864, 1878
Folders24-27   Foreman, Edward, 1843, 1850-1855, 1867-1879
Folder28   Foster-Fox
Folder29   Fracelton-Fristoe

Box 21 of 73
Folder1   Gaither-Gant
Folder2   Gardiner, Annie E., 1855-1887
Folder3   Gardiner, Frederick, 1868-1878; Gardiner, Frederick, Jr., 1879-1881
Folder4   Gardiner, Robert H., 1880-1887
Folder5   Gardner-Garnett
Folders6-10   Garrigue, Rudolph, 1847-1856
Folder11   Gates-Getz
Folder12   Gibbes-Gibson
Folder13   Gifford-Giles
Folder14   Gill, Herbert A., 1882-1887
Folder15   Gill, Theodore, 1865-1871
Folder16   Gillin, S. M., 1854-1859
Folder17   Gilliss-Gilman
Folder18   Girard, Charles Frederic, 1851-1859
Folder19   Giraud, Jacob P., 1842-1843
Folder20   Giraud, W. C.(?), 1868-1869
Folder21   Gitts-Gomes
Folders22-29   Goode, George Brown, 1871, 1876-1880

Box 22 of 73
Folders1-18   Goode, George Brown, 1881-1887. Mostly S. F. Baird outgoing correspondence and some incoming correspondence.
Folder19   Goode, Sarah F., 1880

Box 23 of 73
Folder1   Goodloe-Goodwin
Folder2   Gordon-Gowans
Folder3   Graham-Grand
Folders4-6   Gray, Asa, 1846-1864, 1868-1887
Folder7   Gray, F. C.-Grayson
Folder8   Great-Green
Folder9   Griffin-Grinnell
Folder10   Griset-Guyot
Folder11   Habicht-Haines
Folders12-14   Haldeman, Samuel S., 1842-1853, 1878
Folder15   Hale, C.-Hale, M.
Folder16   Hale, Robert S., 1864-1880
Folder17   Hale, Safford E., 1855-1887
Folder18   Haley-Hall
Folder19   Haller-Hallowell
Folder20   Hamilton-Hammond, P.
Folder21   Hammond, William A., 1863-1886
Folder22   Hand-Harman

Box 24 of 73
Folders1-16   Harper and Brothers, 1846, 1868-1886
Folder17   Harper, M.-Hawley
Folder18   Hay-Hayden, E.
Folders19-22   Hayden, Ferdinand Vandeveer, 1853-1860

Box 25 of 73
Folders1-4   Hayden, Ferdinand Vandeveer, 1867-1881
Folder5   Hayes-Hazen
Folder6   Heath-Hennegins
Folder7   Henry, H. A.-Henry, H. L.
Folders8-11   Henry, Joseph, 1847-1874
Folder12   Henry, M.-Herr
Folders13-15   Hessel, Rudolph, 1877-1887
Folder16   Hetzel-Heyerdahl
Folder17   Hickling-Hillman
Folders18-21   Himes, Charles F., 1869-1885
Folder22   Hinckley, C., 1846
Folders23-24   Hind, Henry Youle, 1878-1880. Includes printed materials and reports on the Halifax Fisheries Conference, 1880.
Folder25   Hinkley-Hitz
Folder26   Hobart-Hodge
Folder27   Hoff-Holcomb
Folders28-29   Holden, Edward S., 1876-1880
Folder30   Holden, W.-Holzer

Box 26 of 73
Folder1   Homes-House
Folder2   House of Representatives, 1855, 1879. Contains summons to appear at committee meetings.
Folder3   Howard, E.-Howard, O.
Folder4   Howe-Hoy
Folder5   Hubbard-Hudson
Folder6   Humbold-Hunt
Folder7   Hunter-Hyerdang
Folder8   Iconographic-Ito
Folder9   Jackson-Jardine
Folder10   Jenkins-Jesup
Folder11   Jewett, C.-Jewett, E.
Folder12   Jillson-Joy
Folder13   Kagge-Kaufman
Folder14   Keems-Kelsey
Folder15   Kemp-Kennedy
Folders16-20   Kennerly, Caleb Burwell Rowan, 1849-1861
Folder21   Kennerly, J.-Kennicott, M.
Folders22-24   Kennicott, John A., 1855-1862
Folders25-31   Kennicott, Robert, 1853-1857

Box 27 of 73
Folders1-9   Kennicott, Robert, 1858-1866, and undated
Folder10   Kerr, R. C., 1850
Folders11-14   Kidder, J. H., 1875, 1877-1887
Folder15   Kimball-King, Caroline
Folder16   King, Clarence, 1867-1872
Folder17   King, G.-Kirkwood
Folders18-19   Kirtland, J. P., 1846-1854
Folder20   Kitchell-Kunz
Folder21   Lafitte-Lansburgh
Folder22   Larcombe-Lawrence, E.
Folders23-29   Lawrence, George N., 1851-1852, 1862-1868

Box 28 of 73
Folders1-10   Lawrence, George N., 1869-1887
Folder11   Laws, David O., 1868
Folder12   Lea, Henry C., 1849
Folder13   Lea, Issac, 1841, 1869-1885
Folder14   Leach-Leaming
Folder15   LeConte, John Eatton, 1842-1855
Folders16-20   LeConte, John Lawrence, 1842-1882
Folder21   LeConte, Joseph, 1845-1850
Folder22   Lee, A.-Lee, W.
Folders23-26   Leech, Daniel, 1870-1887
Folder27   Leech, Emma L. L., 1868
Folder28   Lees-Lehnert
Folder29   Leidy, Joseph, 1846-1885, 1901. Includes a letter from Richard Rathbun to Lucy Hunter Baird concerning Leidy's correspondence to Baird, 1901.
Folder30   Leiler-Lewis

Box 29 of 73
Folder1   Library-Lincoln
Folder2   Lindeman-Lippincott
Folder3   Litcomb-Little, G.
Folders4-8   Little, Brown and Company, 1868-1885
Folder9   Livingston-Looray
Folder10   Loosing-Lownds
Folder11   Lubbock-Lyman
Folder12   Maccoun, Robert. T., 1841-1850
Folder13   MacDonald-Magyar
Folder14   Mahon-Marohaus
Folder15   Marsh, Caroline-Marsh, Charles
Folders16-22   Marsh, George Perkins, 1847-1882
Folder23   Marsh, Otheniel Charles, 1867-1885
Folder24   Marsh, S.-Mason, J.
Folder25   Mason, Otis Tufton, 1874-1879
Folder26   Massachusetts-Massey
Folder27   Mather-Mayer
Folder28   Mayew-Maynard
Folder29   McAdoo-McDonald
Folder30   McGiloray-McNeal
Folder31   Meek-Merchant, A.

Box 30 of 73
Folder1   Merchant, G.-Merchants
Folder2   Merriam-Metropolitan
Folder3   Michelotti-Miller
Folder4   Milner, James W., 1879
Folder5   Milner, Sarah A., 1879-1880, 1885
Folder6   Miner-Mish
Folder7   Mitchell-Mittag
Folder8   Mllhausen-Morrill
Folder9   Morris, John G., 1843-1850, 1869-1870
Folder10   Morton-Myers
Folder11   N. A. Cyclopedia-Nantucket
Folders12-13   National Academy of Sciences, 1866-1886
Folder14   National Bazaar-National University
Folder15   Nature-Nerny
Folders16-21   Newberry, John S., 1852-1884. Includes letter to G. B. Goode, 1890.
Folder22   Newberry, S.-Newcomb
Folder23   New England Glass Company, 1862-1872
Folders24-25   New England Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1852-1887
Folder26   New England Transfer-New York Life
Folder27   New York Lithographing-New York State Cabinet
Folder28   New York Tribune, 1873-1882
Folder29   New York, University of the State of, 1841-1842. Passes to lectures.
Folder30   Nicholls, G.-Nichols, I.
Folder31   Nicholson-Nye

Box 31 of 73
Folder1   Oak-Olcott
Folder2   Old-Orton
Folder3   Orsborne-Ostermoor
Folder4   Otis-Owen
Folder5   Packard, Alpheus Spring, Jr., 1870-1879
Folder6   Packard, E.-Panama
Folder7   Paret-Parker
Folder8   Parlin-Pawson
Folder9   Peakes-Pennsylvania
Folder10   Pepper-Phelps
Folder11   Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company, 1878-1887
Folder12   Phillips, B.-Phillips, J.
Folder13   Philosophical-Pirz
Folder14   Poesche-Porter
Folder15   Post-Powell
Folder16   Pratt-Provident
Folders17-18   The Public Ledger (Philadelphia), 1865, 1867-1874, 1878, 1882, and undated
Folder19   Purvis-Pywell
Folder20   Queen, James W. and Company, 1882, 1886
Folder21   Radde-Raoul
Folder22   Rathbun, Richard, 1878-1887
Folder23   Rau, Charles, 1870, 1875-1879
Folder24   Rawlins-Raynolds
Folder25   Read-Rhees, J.
Folders26-34   Rhees, William Jones, 1854-1872, 1878-1887

Box 32 of 73
Folder1   Rhodes-Rich
Folders2-7   Richard, John H., 1853-1874
Folder8   Richards-Ricksecker
Folder9   Ridgway, E. A., 1875-1885
Folders10-13   Ridgway, Robert, 1869-1876, 1879-1887
Folder14   Rieman, W. J., 1857-1858
Folders15-16   Riggs and Company, 1854-1887
Folder17   Riggs-Ritter
Folder18   Robbins-Robinson
Folder19   Roche-Roessler
Folder20   Rogers-Romero
Folder21   Roosevelt-Rutter
Folder22   Sage-Salvin
Folder23   Sammons-Sayre
Folder24   Scammon-Schillinger
Folder25   Schirner-Schott
Folder26   Schumann-Sclater
Folder27   Scott-Scudder
Folder28   Seagh-Sercomb

Box 33 of 73
Folder1   Sergeant, E. N., 1845-1846
Folders2-8   Sergeant, J. Dickinson, 1838-1880
Folder9   Seward-Shannon
Folder10   Sharp-Shepard
Folders11-12   Sheppard, Edwin, 1867-1870
Folder13   Sheridan-Sherman
Folder14   Shilling-Shuman
Folder15   Sibley, A.-Sibley, G.
Folder16   Siedhof-Silliman
Folder17   Simpson-Sloane
Folder18   Smead-Smiley
Folder19   Smillie-Smith, H.
Folder20   Smith, J.-Smith, S.
Folder21   Smith, T.-Smith, W.
Folder22   Social-Spangler
Folder23   Spear-Squier
Folder24   Stabler-Stejneger
Folder25   Stephens-Stewart
Folders26-31   Stimpson, William, 1857-1870, 1880

Box 34 of 73
Folder1   Stites-Stolley
Folder2   Stone-Stowe, N.
Folder3   Stowe, William, 1847-1849, 1866-1887
Folder4   Stratton-Strong
Folder5   Stuart-Stuff
Folder6   Sturm-Sturtevant
Folder7   Suckley, George, 1859-1861, 1866
Folder8   Suckley, J.-Sullivan
Folder9   Sumner, Charles, 1867
Folder10   Sundevall-Syester
Folder11   Tanner-Taylor
Folder12   Tehuantepac-Thomas
Folder13   Thompson, C.-Thompson, Z.
Folder14   Thomson, Frank, 1883-1887
Folder15   Thomson, John H., 1870
Folder16   Thomson, W.-Thurston
Folder17   Tiffany, Charles C., 1846-1878
Folder18   Tiffany, O. H., 1849-1878
Folder19   Tirdale-Tolles
Folder20   Toner, Joseph M., 1875, 1879
Folder21   Torrey, John, 1854-1872
Folder22   Torrey, J.-Treasury
Folder23   Trego-True
Folder24   Tuley-Turnbull
Folders25-27   Turnbull, William P., 1865-1870
Folder28   Turner, G.-Turner, L.
Folder29   Turner, M.-Turner, W.
Folder30   Tustin-Tyndall

Box 35 of 73
Folder1   Ufford-Ulke
Folder2   Union-University
Folder3   Valentine, Mann S., 1878
Folder4   Van Duzer-Van Vliet
Folder5   Varden, John, 1860-1862
Folder6   Vaughan-Vendi
Folder7   Verreaux, Edouard, 1865-1866, 1869
Folder8   Verreaux, J. P., 1866, 1868, 1870
Folder9   Verrill, A. E., 1870, 1878, 1885-1886, 1914. Includes 1914 letter from A. E.Verrill to W. H. Dall.
Folder10   Victor-Vitzthum
Folder11   Wadsworth, M. E., 1881
Folders12-15   Wahl, William H., 1869-1882
Folder16   Waite-Walker
Folder17   Wallace-Wanamaker
Folder18   Ward-Warfield
Folder19   Warm-Washington
Folder20   Wassermann-Webster
Folder21   Weerth-Welford
Folder22   Welling-Wentworth
Folder23   Wesley, William, 1867-1873, 1878
Folder24   West-Weston
Folder25   Wharton-Whitlock
Folder26   Whitney, A., 1849
Folders27-32   Whitney, Josiah Dwight, 1862-1884
Folder33   Whitney, W.-Wiley

Box 36 of 73
Folder1   Wilkes-Williams
Folder2   Williamson-Wilson
Folder3   Wimer-Wise
Folder4   Wolcott-Wood
Folder5   Woodburne-Wormley
Folder6   Wright-Wrightington
Folder7   Wyckoff, William, 1875-1882
Folders8-10   Wyeth John, 1861-1885. Also Wyeth, John and Brothers.
Folder11   Wylie-Wyman
Folder12   Xantus, John, 1863-1866
Folder13   Yandell-Youmans
Folder14   Young, C. B., 1870
Folder15   Young, Casey, 1878-1879
Folder16   Young, E.-Youth's
Folder17   Zealandian-Ziegler
Folder18   Unidentified correspondence

SERIES 4.
FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE AND FAMILY MEMORABILIA, 1793-1887.

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
Folder1   Baird, H. H., 1874
Folder2   Baird, Harriet, 1843, 1846 (aunt)
Folder3   Baird, Henry Carey, undated
Folder4   Baird, Lucy Hunter (daughter, b. 1848-d. 1913). Confirmation, Epiphany Church, Maryland, 1880.
Folder5   Baird, Lucy Hunter. Correspondence from Robert Kennicott, 1860.
Folder6   Baird, Lucy Hunter. Correspondence with her maternal grandparents, Sylvester and Lucy Hunter Churchill, 1851-1860.
Folder7   Baird, Lucy Hunter. Correspondence with her parents, 1854-1874.
Folder8   Baird, Lucy Hunter. Diagnosis from J. H. Kidder, 1879.
Folder9   Baird, Lucy Hunter. Valentine's Day notes, 1853 and undated.
Folders10-11   Baird, Lydia MacFunn Biddle, 1850-1870 (mother, b. 1797-d. 1871)
Folder12   Baird, Lydia Spencer, 1852-1856, 1866-circa 1870 (sister, b. 1827-d. 1876)
Folder13   Baird, Mary, 1882
Folders14-23   Baird, Mary Helen Churchill (wife, b. 1821-d. 1890). Letters to Spencer F. Baird, 1844-1883.
Folders24-35   Baird, Mary Helen Churchill. Letters from Spencer F. Baird, 1844-1887.
Folder36   Baird, R. C., 1885
Folder37   Baird, R. P., undated (aunt)
Folder38   Baird, Rebecca Potts, 1839, 1865-1887 (sister, b. 1825-d. 1907)
Folder39   Baird, Robert H. (Bob), 1868, 1870, 1884 (nephew)

Box 38 of 73
Folder1   Baird, Samuel, II, 1831, 1833 (father, b. 1786-d. 1833)
Folders2-12   Baird, Samuel, III, 1838-1884 (brother, b. 1821-d. 1884)
Folders13-14   Baird, Thomas, 1844-1885 (brother, b. 1831-d. 1897)
Folders15-24   Baird, William McFunn, 1841-1872 (brother, b. 1817-d. 1872)
Folder25   Baird, William McFunn, 1841-1853. Letters from Spencer F. Baird to his brother. Transcribed by Lucy Hunter Baird from letterpress books in Series 2.
Folder26   Biddle, E. M., 1847-1878
Folder27   Biddle, E. W., 1874-1884 (cousin)
Folder28   Biddle, Henry Jonathan, 1854-1862 (brother-in-law, d. 1862)
Folder29   Biddle, Henry Jonathan, Jr., 1877-1886 (nephew)
Folder30   Biddle, J. Williams, 1866-1876 (nephew)
Folder31   Biddle, Julia A., undated (aunt)
Folder32   Biddle, J. D., 1846
Folder33   Biddle, L. M., 1878
Folder34   Biddle, Lydia Spencer, 1837, 1841-1848 (grandmother)
Folders35-37   Biddle, Mary Deborah Baird (Mrs. Henry J.), 1850s-1886, and undated (sister, b. 1829-d. 1900)
Folder38   Biddle, S. J. 1855
Folder39   Biddle, Spencer Fullerton Baird, 1865-1885 (nephew)
Folder40   Biddle, William B., 1867, 1870, 1881
Folder41   Biddle, W. M., 1854
Folder42   Miscellaneous Baird/Biddle correspondence.

Box 39 of 73
Folder1   Churchill, Alice (Mrs. Charles Cunningham), 1876-1881 (sister-in-law)
Folders2-4   Churchill, Charles Cunningham, 1845-1887 (brother-in-law)
Folder5   Churchill, E. M. (Mrs. William Hunter), 1858
Folders6-11   Churchill, Franklin Hunter, 1848-1887 (brother-in-law)
Folder12   Churchill, James, circa 1852
Folder13   Churchill, Josie, 1872-1873 (niece)
Folder14   Churchill, J. P., 1885
Folders15-17   Churchill, Lucy Hunter, 1818-1942, 1860-1862 (mother-in-law, d. 1862)
Folders18-19   Churchill, Richard Randolph Cuyler, 1859-1879 (nephew)
Folder20   Churchill, Sylvester (father-in-law, b. 1783-d. 1862). Certificates of promotion in rank in the United States Army, 1836, 1841, 1846, 1847.
Folder21   Churchill, Sylvester. Correspondence from his wife and children, 1832.
Folder22   Churchill, Sylvester. Correspondence with his mother-in-law, Mary Hunter, 1842.
Folders23-24   Churchill, Sylvester. Correspondence with his son-in-law, Spencer F. Baird, 1848-1862.
Folder25   Churchill, Sylvester. Miscellaneous receipts, 1805-1814.
Folder26   Churchill, William Hunter (brother-in-law, d. 1847). Correspondence with his cousin, Villeroy Aikens, 1830.
Folder27   Churchill, William Hunter, Jr., 1878 (nephew)
Folder28   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.
Folder29   Clinton (?), V. B., 1869
Folder30   Cutting, Churchill H., 1870-1884 (Mary H. C. Baird's cousin)
Folder31   Cutting, Elizabeth M. (Mrs. Sewall S.), 1870
Folder32   Cutting, F. H., 1853
Folder33   Cutting, Gardiner S., 1853, 1864, 1876 (Mary H. C. Baird's cousin)
Folder34   Cutting, Guy H., 1848, 1853
Folders35-38   Cutting, Sewall S., 1837-1881 (Mary H. C. Baird's cousin)
Folder39   Cutting, Sewall S. Contains "Pittsburgh Papers," including copies of Sylvester Churchill correspondence to various persons concerning accusations of disobedience against him, 1826-1827.
Folder40   Cutting, William J., 1847-1858
Folder41   Hunter, Franklin (Mary H. C. Baird's uncle). Correspondence to his sister, Lucy Hunter Churchill, 1817-1818.
Folder42   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.
Folder43   Hunter, William. Correspondence with his brother-in-law, Asa Aikens, 1818.
Folder44   Hunter, William. Correspondence with his daughter, Lucy Hunter Churchill, 1818-1819.
Folder45   Hunter, William. Memorandum of agreement, witnessed and signed by Lucy Hunter Churchill and William Hunter, 1814.
Folder46   Hunter, William. Promissory note, 1793.
Folder47   Hunter, William. Receipts, 1807, 1809, 1817.
Folder48   Hunter, William G., 1862, 1869
Folder49   Penrose, Charles Bingham, 1841, 1851-1852, 1857 (uncle)
Folder50   Penrose, Clement Biddle, 1844-1882 (cousin)
Folder51   Penrose, Mary L., 1868 (cousin)
Folder52   Penrose, Richard Alexander Fullerton, 1843-1869 (cousin)
Folder53   Penrose, Valeria Fullerton Biddle, 1823, 1866-1880 (aunt)
Folder54   Penrose, W. M., 1840-1857 (cousin)
Folder55   Penrose, W. M., 1868

SERIES 5.
CORRESPONDENCE, 1847, 1855-1888. ARRANGED BY SUBJECT.

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
Folder1   Board of Regents, Smithsonian Institution, 1887. Resolution of condolence to the Baird family.
Folder2   Calling Cards
Folder3   Condolences, 1887
Folder4   Congratulations, 1878. On Spencer F. Baird's election as Secretary of SI.
Folder5   Curatorship, 1847. Copies of letters of recommendation from scientists and politicians to members of the Board of Regents and to Joseph Henry.
Folder6   Exhibition and Exposition invitations, 1873-1886
Folder7   Fulton Market Fish Mongers' Association, 1888. Resolution of condolence to the Baird family.
Folder8   Japan, 1887. Hokusui Kyokwai (Northern Fisheries Society) articles (in Japanese) on Spencer F. Baird.
Folder9   Monroe, M. C., circa 1881. Spencer F. Baird's draft letter to President James A. Garfield recommending Monroe for a diplomatic post.
Folder10   Pay receipts, May-July 1887
Folder11   Photograph requests, 1884-1886. Incoming correspondence in response to Spencer F. Baird's circular requesting photographs of American scientists.
Folders12-14   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.
Folder15   Smithsonian Institution, 1887. Formal announcement of the death of Spencer Fullerton Baird, LL.D.
Folder16   Travel arrangements, 1882-1887

SERIES 6.
JOURNALS AND DIARIES, 1839-1887.

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
Folder1   Journals, October 26, 1838-May 9, 1839, May 1841-November 1843
Folder2   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.
Folders3-5   Journals, January 1, 1866-December 31, 1879

Box 42 of 73
Folders1-3   Journals, January 1, 1880-December 31, 1885
Folder4   Journals, January 1, 1886-May 25, 1887. Entries for May 11-25, 1887, are not in Baird's handwriting.
Folders5-8   Diaries, 1851, 1852, 1855, 1859

Box 43 of 73
Folders1-6   Diaries, 1851-1865
Folder7   Diaries, January 1, 1861-December 31, 1865. Copied from the originals (transcriber unknown).
Folder8   Abstract on health, 1885-1887. Spencer F. Baird's entries in which he described his health.
Folder9   Miscellaneous abstracts: F(ish) C(ommission) Report, 1879; Miscellaneous articles, 1879; Abstract of work done in 1879; Memorandum of events, 1879.

SERIES 7.
RESEARCH MATERIALS, 1838-1883. ARRANGED BY SUBJECT.

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

Folder1   Anatidae. "Monograph of the Anatidae," by T. C. Eyton, London, 1838.
Folder2   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.
Folder3   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.
Folder4   California. "Notes on Birds Collected in California," by Colbert A. Canfield, undated.
Folder5   Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Birds seen about in Cumberland County and Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1840-1843.
Folder6   Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Lists of birds shot in the vicinity of Carlisle, 1840-1844.
Folder7   Carlisle, Pennsylvania. "Catalogue of Birds Found in the Neighborhood of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa.," by Spencer F. Baird, 1845.
Folder8   Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Catalogue of birds in the Baird collection, 1839-1844.
Folder9   Carlisle, Pennsylvania. First appearance of birds in Carlisle, 1840-1844.
Folder10   Carlisle, Pennsylvania. List of osteological preparation made, 1841-1842.
Folder11   Catalogue. Catalogue of Baird's bird collection (?), undated.
Folder12   Central America and the Caribbean. "S. F. Baird's list," catalogue of birds. Published list of birds with notations, undated.
Folder13   Central America and the Caribbean. Description of birds. In English, Spanish and Latin, undated.
Folder14   Central America and the Caribbean. Descriptions of birds from various publications (?), 1867.
Folder15   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.
Folder16   Coerebidae. "Monograph of Coerebidae," by Spencer F. Baird, undated.
Folder17   Costa Rica. List of birds of Costa Rica, undated.
Folder18   District of Columbia. List of birds observed in the District of Columbia, by William McFunn Baird, up to March 1844.
Folder19   Drawings: Color drawings of birds by Spencer F. Baird, 1839
Folder20   Drawings: Grallatores and Rasores (comparative anatomy)
Folder21   Drawings: Insessores (anatomical drawings with notes)

Box 45 of 73
Folder1   Drawings: List of drawings
Folder2   Drawings: Natatores
Folder3   Drawings: Raptores
Folder4   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."
Folder5   Egg Emptying. Note on emptying eggs, by Spencer F. Baird, undated.
Folder6   Europe. "Catalogue of Birds of Europe," by Carlo Bonaparte, 1842. Extracts copied by Spencer F. Baird, 1845.
Folder7   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.
Folder8   Expeditions. "Record of the Collection of North American Birds Brought In By Expeditions," by Spencer F. Baird.
Folder9   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.
Folder10   Greenland. "Birds of Greenland," by Captain Sabine, undated. Copied by Spencer F. Baird, 1841.
Folder11   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
Folder1   History of North American Birds . Miscellaneous notes. Pertain to the book, published in 1874.
Folder2   History of North American Birds. Proof plates of color drawings of heads of birds, 1875. Include prints of Robert Ridgway pencil drawings.
Folder3   Helminthophaga virgincae, Baird. Spencer F. Baird's manuscript, undated.
Folder4   March, W. Thomas. Lists and brief notes on birds sent to SI, 1862-1863.
Folder5   Moulting. "Register of Moulting of Birds," by Spencer F. Baird, 1844-1847.
Folder6   Muscuapinae. "Monograph of the Muscuapinae of the United States," by Spencer F. Baird, undated.
Folder7   Museum List. Bound volume of lists of birds sent and received, 1842-1851. Possibly for Baird's private museum, not USNM.
Folders8-9   Museum Register. Lists of birds in the SI collection, circa 1835-circa 1865.

Box 47 of 73
Folder1   North American Birds. "Corrected List N. A. Birds." Galley proof of specimen catalogue.
Folder2   North American Birds. "Notes Memoranda, N. A. Birds Done With," 1866.
Folder3   North American Birds. Proposed arrangement of N. A. birds by distribution.
Folder4   North American Birds. Proposed jacket cover for "The Birds of North America," drawing by Robert Ridgway, undated.
Folders5-6   North American Birds. Reference to descriptions of N. A. birds and index to collections of government expeditions.
Folder7   North American Birds. Report on birds.
Folder8   North American Birds. Miscellaneous specimen lists.
Folder9   Osteology of SI bird collection. Bound volume incorporating "Smithsonian Museum/North American Birds/Osteology," and the "Catalogue of North American Birds."
Folder10   Parasites. List of Anopleura, etc. Intestinal worms or parasites on birds or quadrupeds, 1846-1847.
Folder11   Raraforms and Hylaforms. By Spencer F. Baird, undated. Contains descriptions on new species of raraforms and hylaforms in SI.
Folder12   Sylvicola. By Spencer F. Baird, undated. Contains descriptions of Sylvicola.
Folder13   Sylvicola Kirtlandii. "Description of a new species of Sylvicola," by Spencer F. Baird, 1852.
Folder14   Tern. "Description of a Tern Thought to be New," by William M. and Spencer F. Baird, September 10, 1843.
Folder15   Unfigured Birds. Descriptions of birds in the SI museum not included in the Pacific Railroad Report, Volume 9, 1858, by Spencer F. Baird, 1860s.
Folder16   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.
Folder17   Vireo. "Notes on the genus Vireo based upon specimens in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution," by Spencer F. Baird, undated.
Folder18   Vireosylvia Magister. Galley proof sheet from Birds of North America, 1873.
Folder19   Xantes, John. Lists of birds collected by John Xantes in Mazatlan, Mexico, 1861. Contains museum register sheets.
Folder20   Xantes, John. "Common names of the birds and mammals of Lower California," by John Xantes, 1861.
Folder21   Miscellaneous notes on birds, 1845, and 1850s.

Boxes 48-49 of 73

Box 50 of 73

ICONOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOPEDIA

Folder1   Iconographic Encyclopedia, Manuscripts: Chemistry
Folder2   Iconographic Encyclopedia: Meteorology
Folders