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

Record Unit 7212

Xántus, János, 1825-1894

János Xántus Papers, 1857-1864

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Xántus, János, 1825-1894
Title:János Xántus Papers
Dates:1857-1864
Quantity:0.5 cu. ft. (1 document box)
Collection:Record Unit 7212
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

These papers consist of correspondence from John Xantus to Spencer F. Baird, mostly concerning Xantus' collecting activities, 1857-1864. Also included are several letters (and copies of letters) from various individuals concerning Xantus, especially letters of recommendation for the position of U. S. Consul at Manzanillo, Mexico.

After entering the U. S. Army in 1855, Xantus began using the name Louis de Vesey. The letters in this collection for the years 1857-1858 are signed three different ways: DE VESEY, L. X. DE VESEY, and L. XANTUS DE VESEY. By 1859, he had readopted his given name and letters are signed J. XANTUS.

Historical Note

A native of Hungary, John Xantus (1825-1894) came to the United States in 1850. In 1855, he entered the United States Army and served as a hospital steward at Fort Riley, Kansas Territory, 1855-1857, and Fort Tejon, California, 1857-1859. In January 1859, Xantus was appointed tidal observer for the United States Coast Survey stationed at Cape San Lucas, Lower California, where he remained until August 1861. After a short visit to Hungary, Xantus was appointed United States Consul at Manzanillo, Mexico, on November 25, 1862. In 1864, he returned to Hungary, where he spent the remainder of his life.

In 1857, Xantus began corresponding with Spencer F. Baird, and in subsequent years he made extensive collections for the Smithsonian Institution, especially in the field of ornithology.

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Introduction

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

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Descriptive Entry

These papers consist of correspondence from John Xantus to Spencer F. Baird, mostly concerning Xantus' collecting activities, 1857-1864. Also included are several letters (and copies of letters) from various individuals concerning Xantus, especially letters of recommendation for the position of U. S. Consul at Manzanillo, Mexico.

After entering the U. S. Army in 1855, Xantus began using the name Louis de Vesey. The letters in this collection for the years 1857-1858 are signed three different ways: DE VESEY, L. X. DE VESEY, and L. XANTUS DE VESEY. By 1859, he had readopted his given name and letters are signed J. XANTUS.

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This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.

Name

Subject

Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7212, János Xántus Papers

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Container List

Box 1

Folder 1 Numbered Correspondence, 1-24, April 4, 1857-April 15, 1858

Box 1 of 1

Folder 2 Numbered Correspondence, 25-49, May 14, 1858-February 4, 1859 and undated (with drawings)

Box 1 of 1

Folder 3 Numbered Correspondence, 50-74, February 11, 1859-February 14, 1860

Box 1 of 1

Folder 4 Numbered Correspondence, 75-99, February 20, 1860-December 15, 1860

Box 1 of 1

Folder 5 Correspondence, December 28, 1860-December 26, 1862

Box 1 of 1

Folder 6 Numbered Correspondence, 1-24, January 10, 1863-December 16, 1863

Box 1 of 1

Folder 7 Correspondence, December 1863-1864 and assorted dates in order of binding

Box 1 of 1

Folder 8 Correspondence and Drawings from end of bound volume, unarranged

Box 1 of 1

Folder 9 Correspondence, 1864

Box 1 of 1

Folder 10 Selected Photographic Prints of Xantus Correspondence and Drawings

Box 1 of 1

Folder 11 Photograph of Xantus, undated (Accession 06-173)

Box 1 of 1

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