Agency history, 1885-1931

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Subject

  • Ravenel, W. de C (William de Chastignier) 1859-1933
  • Cox, William Van Zandt 1852-1923
  • Smithsonian Institution Chief Clerk

Category

Agency History

Notes

  • This is an agency history. It does not describe actual records. The Smithsonian Institution Archives uses these histories as brief accounts of the origin, development, and functions of an office or administrative unit to set that unit in its historical context. To find information on record holdings, please double-click the highlighted field "Creator/Author", which will open on a brief view of relevant records.
  • Guide to the Smithsonian Archives
  • Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution
  • Annual Report of the United States National Museum
  • The Administrative Assistant was in charge of the general supervision of the expenditure of United States National Museum (USNM) appropriations; preparing proposals for supplies; settlement of accounts; awarding contracts; supervision of non-scientific or specimen-related correspondence; general supervision of employees, assignments to duty, granting leaves of absence; and conducting boards of inquiry and investigations of complaints. The Administrative Assistant also acted as special agent and at times was appointed representative of the Museum and the Smithsonian at international expositions. Prior to 1902 the incumbent was known as Chief Clerk.
  • William Van Zandt Cox was designated as the Museum's first Chief Clerk in 1885. When he left the Museum in 1902 the title of the position was changed to Administrative Assistant and William deC. Ravenel was appointed to the post. By the time Ravenel retired in 1931, most of his duties had been assumed by the Associate Director, USNM, and the position of Administrative Assistant was removed from the Museum hierarchy.
  • For a history of the larger creating unit, refer to "Forms part of" above.

Repository Loc.

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520

Date

  • 1885
  • 1885-1931

Topic

  • Museum finance
  • Museums
  • Museums--Administration

Form/Genre

Mixed archival materials

Local number

SIA AH00071

Full Record

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