Related materials can be found in Smithsonian Institution Archives RU007084, William Henry Holmes Papers, 1870-1931.
William Henry Holmes (1846-1933) was an anthropologist, archaeologist, artist, and geologist, who spent much of his career affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. He studied art under Theodore Kauffman, and went on to work as a scientific illustrator with Smithsonian staff. In 1872, he was appointed artist-topographer to the United States survey of the territories under Ferdinand V. Hayden, and in 1874 was appointed assistant geologist. He went on to work with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Bureau of American Ethnology (BAE), until returning to the Smithsonian Institution, United States National Museum (USNM). Holmes eventually became head curator of the Smithsonian Institution's Department of Anthropology and Director of the National Gallery of Art.
Elecresource
AAPGRB copy also available on microfilm: MFM 1200 AAPGMAIN.
Summary:
This is the fifth of sixteen volumes compiled in 1931 or 1932 by William Henry Holmes to document his life and work. The volume contains original correspondence, documents, ephemera, watercolors/drawings, and photographs throughout. It describes Holme's work as part of F. V. Hayden's surveys for the territories during "five summers among the rugged peaks and fascinating valleys of the splendid ranges of Colorado." The volume begins with a table of contents for section one which includes an itinerary and narratives about travel through Holy Cross and Mt. Powell. Holmes includes details regarding wildlife observations (drawings of mammals collected), names of mountains by surveyors, route traveled with date taken from his diaries, and drawings of colleagues and terrain. Section two describes the first ascent of the Mountain of the Holy Cross in 1873, and news clippings and correspondence about growing interest. Also includes notes about geological characteristics observed. Contains discussion of and sketch by William Henry Jackson who was the first person to photograph the Mount of the Holy Cross. Section three describes the front ranges of Colorado. Section four describes the primary triangulation of Colorado and ascent of peaks in 1876.
