SIA Acc. 01-219, Smithsonian Institution Office of the Secretary, Correspondence, c. 1905

Summary

These records consist of materials that document the work of W.A. Bentley, a researcher and photographer of snowflakes. As early as 1898, Bentley corresponded with Samuel Pierpont Langley, Secretary, about copying his photomicrographs, storing them at the Smithsonian Institution, and writing articles about his work. Bentley sent at least four batches of lantern slides or positive prints to the Smithsonian Institution between 1898 and 1905 for various reasons. This group of 120 lantern slides illustrated a lecture Bentley presented at the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. Bentley asked George E. Ashby of this museum to forward the slides as well as a typewritten copy of the lecture to Langley. The slides were sent to the Smithsonian under cover of a letter from Ashby on April 25, 1905 during a significant exchange of correspondence between Langley and Bentley. The letter from Ashby, a typewritten copy of the lecture, and additional related materials are found in Langley's correspondence (Collection RU 31). The lantern slides were found with Collection T90030.

Subject

Bentley, W. A (Wilson Alwyn) 1865-1931

Notes

For a description of the record series of which these materials form a part, refer to the "Forms part of" above.

Organization

Unarranged

Repository Loc.

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

Date

• 1905
• c 1905

Topic

• Snowflakes
• Photomicrography

Form/Genre

• Lantern slides
• Collection descriptions

Local number

SIA Acc. 01-219

Physical description

1 cu. ft. (1 record storage box)