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Draper Family Collection

Creator:
Draper, John William, 1811-1882  Search this
Draper, Henry, 1837-1882  Search this
Draper, John Christopher, 1835-1885 (chemist)  Search this
Draper, Daniel, 1841-1931 (meteorologist)  Search this
Mora, José Maria, ca. 1846-1926  Search this
Nye, Dorothy Catherine Draper  Search this
University of the City of New York  Search this
New York Meteorological Observatory.  Search this
Extent:
4.3 Cubic feet (13 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Wills
Certificates
Photomicrographs
Reprints
Photographs
Lectures
Diplomas
Date:
circa 1826-1936
Summary:
Miscellaneous documents and photographs related to the scientific careers of members of the Draper family. Includes publications of the University of the City of New York, with which the Drapers were associated, reprints of papers by John William Draper, F. Melloni, John C. Draper, and Henry Draper, publications of the New York Meteorological Observatory, photographs of the observatory, rare scientific photographs, including photomicrographs (paper prints) by the Drapers, correspondence addressed to Daniel Draper, certificates, diplomas, and other documents.
Scope and Contents:
This collection contains materials that revolve around the scientific interests, research, and professional activities of John W. Draper and his three sons. The materials are as diverse in subject as were these four men, with meteorology, solar observation, astronomy, chemistry, and optical science all represented. The collection contains a large number of separate journal issues and articles on these subjects as well as publications of the University of the City of New York, with which the Drapers were associated, mainly covering the periods of 1835, 1838, 1852, and publications of the New York Meteorological Observatory (NYMO), 1876. Included among the NYMO materials are correspondence addressed to Daniel Draper, some acknowledging receipt of publications from NYMO, circa 1892-1908, and photographs of NYMO. The collection also contains reprints of John William Draper, circa 1844-1877; M. Melloni, "A Radiation of Incandescence and Elementary Colors," 1848; John C. Draper, 1856; and reprints of Henry Draper, 1873, 1882.

Also included in the collection are some of the Draper's notebooks, lecture notes, experiment literature and notebooks, and experimental photographs concerning the Draper's professional endeavors in meteorology, chemistry, and astronomy in the late 19th century. There are also a number of materials relating to biographical information on the Draper family, including a substantial number of certificates and diplomas received by the Drapers. In addition, there is personal correspondence, articles on the members of the family, and a copy of Dorothy Catherine Draper Nye's will. While most of the documents are originals, the collection also contains many photocopied or reproduced documents.

A photograph by Mora in the collection, marked "J.W. Draper," does not appear to depict the same man as in Neg. No. 52,757.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into five series.

Series 1: Draper Family, 1829-1936

Series 2: John W. Draper, 1811-1936

Series 3: Henry Draper, 1837-1882

Series 4: Daniel Draper, 1841-1931

Series 5: John Christopher Draper, 1835-1885
Biographical / Historical:
The Draper family made a number of important contributions to American science, particularly in the fields of meteorology, astronomy, and chemistry during the 19th and early 20th centuries. John William Draper (1811-1882), primarily a chemist, did pioneer work in photography, and on the chemical effects of radiant energy. He took the first photograph of the moon in 1839-1840 and the first photograph of the diffraction spectrum.

Draper's three sons also did notable work. John C. Draper (1835-1885) was a noted Physician and chemist. Henry Draper (1837-1882) was an early astronomical photographer and also did work on stellar spectra and spectrum analysis. Daniel Draper (1841-1931) was a meteorologist and established the New York Meteorological Observatory in Central Park in 1868. He served as its first director until 1911.
Provenance:
Deeded to the Smithsonian Institution by John William Christopher Draper and James Christopher Draper on January 2, 1972.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Spectrum analysis  Search this
Scientists  Search this
Astronomy  Search this
Astronomers  Search this
Astronomical photography  Search this
Physical sciences  Search this
Physicians  Search this
Photographers  Search this
Meteorology  Search this
Chemists  Search this
Chemistry  Search this
Photography  Search this
Genre/Form:
Wills
Certificates
Photomicrographs
Reprints
Photographs -- 19th century
Photographs -- 1840-1850
Lectures
Diplomas
Citation:
Draper Family Collection, 1835-1908, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0121
See more items in:
Draper Family Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep89ca3d72c-70a4-4dfb-a1df-82693a26d337
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0121
Online Media:

Lewis M. Rutherfurd Collection

Donor:
Schmidling, David, Dr.  Search this
Author:
Rutherfurd, Lewis Morris, 1816-1892  Search this
Collector:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences  Search this
Extent:
0.3 Cubic feet (1 box, 1 oversized folder)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Notebooks
Photographs
Lecture notes
Date:
1846-1884
Summary:
The collection documents Lewis M. Rutherfurd's work related to astronomy.
Scope and Contents:
The collection includes two papers by Rutherfurd published in the American Journal of Science, lecture notes apparently used by Rutherfurd in teaching, and two letters from Benjamin A. Gould, an astronomer and close friend of Rutherfurd's, as well as a draft letter of Rutherfurd to the editors of the American Journal of Science and Art. Most of the collection is comprised of notebooks and loose notes in which Rutherfurd recorded his observations, calculations and designs relating to his professional activities. Two bound notebooks record observations of stars, planets and comets by telescope in 1846-1849 and 1859-1861. Other papers loose and less formally recorded on astronomical observations and the design and calibration of cameras and spectroscopes used by Rutherfurd, cover the period 1858-1874. A number of photographs of the moon and other subjects related to his work are also included.
Biographical / Historical:
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd (1816-1892), a native of New York, was a member of a prominent family and financially independent enough to permit his pursuit of scientific interests. After graduation from Williams College he practiced law for 10 years before devoting himself to amateur astronomy. Rutherfurd designed and made his own instruments for photography and spectroscopy in astronomical observations, often only demonstrating their capabilities before making them available to other scientists. A member of the National Academy of Sciences and numerous professional societies, Rutherfurd was awarded the Rumford Medal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1874 for his "improvements in the processes and methods of Astronomical Photography."
Provenance:
Collection donated by Dr. David Schmidling, November 13, 1989.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Telescopes -- 19th century  Search this
Astronomers  Search this
Photographers  Search this
Astronomy  Search this
Photographs -- Moon -- 19th century  Search this
Genre/Form:
Notebooks -- 1850-1900
Photographs -- 19th century
Lecture notes
Citation:
Lewis M. Rutherfurd Collection, 1846-1884, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Dr. David Schmidling.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0364
See more items in:
Lewis M. Rutherfurd Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8b76c2d2b-8c43-4591-9090-226397289b80
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0364

"Photography-Astronomical Photography"

Series Creator:
Warshaw, Isadore, 1900-1969  Search this
Container:
Box 8, Folder 14
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1918
Scope and Contents:
Issued by The Mentor Association, Inc., Written by Paul L. Anderson; location unknown
Series Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Some items may be restricted due to fragile condition.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Series Citation:
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Photography, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
See more items in:
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Photography
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Photography / 6: Related Publications / 6.1: Articles from Journals and Periodicals
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8c632b31a-f845-42a7-b1e9-150f8bdd67fe
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0060-s01-01-photography-ref802

Telescope

Maker:
Ritchey, George Willis  Search this
Measurements:
aperture: 24 in; 60.96 cm
skeleton tube: 7 ft; 2.1336 m
Object Name:
telescope
Place made:
United States: Wisconsin, Williams Bay
Date made:
ca 1900
Subject:
Astronomy  Search this
Credit Line:
Yerkes Observatory
ID Number:
PH.328000
Accession number:
270028
Catalog number:
328000
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Science & Mathematics
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-151f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_687360

Case for Prism

Title:
Equilateral Prism
Maker:
Hilger, Adam  Search this
Physical Description:
glass (overall material)
wood (case material)
leatherette (case material)
satin (case material)
gold leaf (case material)
Measurements:
average spatial: 51 cm x 5.24 cm x 5.24 cm; 20 1/16 in x 2 1/16 in x 2 1/16 in
average spatial: 51 cm x 5.24 cm x 5.24 cm; 20 1/16 in x 2 1/16 in x 2 1/16 in
overall: 2 1/16 in x 2 1/16 in x 2 1/16 in; 5.23875 cm x 5.23875 cm x 5.23875 cm
average spatial; case: 6 cm x 6.9 cm x 6.5 cm; 2 3/8 in x 2 23/32 in x 2 9/16 in
case: 2 1/2 in x 2 5/8 in x 2 3/8 in; 6.35 cm x 6.6675 cm x 6.0325 cm
Object Name:
equilateral prism
Case
Place made:
United Kingdom: England, London, City of London
Associated place:
United States: District of Columbia, Washington
Associated dates:
1915 05 14 / 1915 05 14
ID Number:
PH.314847
Accession number:
58310
Catalog number:
314847
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-43dc-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1077082
Online Media:

Micrometer

Maker:
Rutherfurd, Lewis Morris  Search this
Measurements:
overall: 15 3/4 in x 16 1/4 in x 11 in; 40.005 cm x 41.275 cm x 27.94 cm
Object Name:
micrometer
Place made:
United States: New York, New York City
Date made:
1870
Subject:
Science & Scientific Instruments  Search this
ID Number:
PH.322304
Catalog number:
322304
Accession number:
247805
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-3b34-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1183752
Online Media:

Micrometer

Measurements:
overall: 18 in x 14 in x 10 1/2 in; 45.72 cm x 35.56 cm x 26.67 cm
overall: 18 5/16 in x 13 1/2 in x 11 in; 46.51375 cm x 34.29 cm x 27.94 cm
Object Name:
Micrometer
Place made:
United States: New York, New York City
Date made:
around 1871
Subject:
Science & Scientific Instruments  Search this
ID Number:
PH.335216
Accession number:
315390
Catalog number:
335216
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-415a-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1183779
Online Media:

Solar Spectrum

Maker:
Draper, Henry  Search this
Physical Description:
paper (overall material)
Measurements:
overall: 14 in x 28 in x 1/4 in; 35.56 cm x 71.12 cm x .635 cm
overall: 71 cm x 14 cm x .8 cm; 27 15/16 in x 5 1/2 in x 5/16 in
Object Name:
photograph, spectrum
photograph
Date made:
1876
Subject:
Science  Search this
Credit Line:
John William Christopher Draper and James Christopher Draper
ID Number:
PH.333976
Accession number:
304826
Catalog number:
333976
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-3713-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1183955

Henry Draper's Research Notebook

Maker:
Draper, Henry  Search this
Physical Description:
paper (overall material)
Measurements:
overall: 20 cm x 16.2 cm x 2.86 cm; 7 7/8 in x 6 3/8 in x 1 1/8 in
Object Name:
manuscript
Place made:
United States: New York, Hastings-on-Hudson
Date made:
1872-1876
Subject:
Science & Scientific Instruments  Search this
ID Number:
1985.0359.01
Accession number:
1985.0359
Catalog number:
1985.0359.01
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ad-df1e-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1184510

Photograph of the Moon

Associated person:
Draper, Henry  Search this
Measurements:
overall: 76.2 cm x 64 cm x 3 cm; 30 in x 25 3/16 in x 1 3/16 in
overall: 30 in x 25 in x 1 1/4 in; 76.2 cm x 63.5 cm x 3.175 cm
Object Name:
Photograph of the Moon
Date made:
1863
ID Number:
PH.325762
Catalog number:
325762
Accession number:
257195
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-491b-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1187581

Illustration, Stellar Photography

Creator:
United States National Museum Photographic Laboratory  Search this
Subject:
United States National Museum  Search this
Physical description:
10 x 8;
Type:
Glass negatives
Date:
1880
1880s
Topic:
Photography  Search this
Astronomical photography  Search this
Local number:
SIA Acc. 11-006 [MAH-4690]
Restrictions & Rights:
No access restrictions Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
No Known Copyright
Data Source:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_arc_391445

Corona of the Sun During Solar Eclipse

Creator:
United States National Museum Photographic Laboratory  Search this
Subject:
United States National Museum  Search this
Physical description:
10 x 8;
Type:
Glass negatives
Date:
Undated
Topic:
Photography  Search this
Astronomical photography  Search this
Local number:
SIA Acc. 11-006 [MAH-4691]
Restrictions & Rights:
No access restrictions Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
No Copyright - United States
Data Source:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_arc_391446

Portrait of Henry Draper (1837-1882)

Creator:
Unknown  Search this
Subject:
Draper, Henry 1837-1882  Search this
Physical description:
Cabinet photographs; 6.5 x 4.25;
Type:
Photographs
Date:
1876
Before 1876
Topic:
Portraits  Search this
Scientists  Search this
Local number:
SIA RU000095 [SIA_000095_B27A_123]
Restrictions & Rights:
No access restrictions. Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
No Copyright - United States
Data Source:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_arc_403679
Online Media:

On the construction of a silvered glass telescope [microform] : fifteen and a half inches in aperture, and its use in celestial photography / by Henry Draper

Author:
Draper, Henry 1837-1882  Search this
Physical description:
55 p. : ill., diagrs. ; 33 cm
Type:
Microforms
Date:
1981
1864
1864]
Topic:
Astronomy  Search this
Reflecting telescopes  Search this
Astronomical photography  Search this
Call number:
TR15 .H5810 no. 582
mfm 814
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_376746

Investigations in astronomical photography. [Microform] By William H. Pickering. Printed from the Boyden Fund

Author:
Pickering, William H (William Henry) b. 1858  Search this
Physical description:
3 p. l., 115 p. VII pl. (incl. front.) tables. 30 x 25 cm
Type:
Microforms
Date:
1982
1895
Topic:
Astronomical photography  Search this
Call number:
mfm 814
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_377341

Note partiques sur les opérations de la photographie pendant le prochain passage de Vénus sur le soleil [microform] / par M. Fizeau

Author:
Fizeau, H (Hippolyte) 1819-1896  Search this
Institut de France  Search this
Physical description:
18 p. ; 28 cm
Type:
Microforms
Date:
1981
1874
[1874?]
Topic:
Astronomical photography  Search this
Call number:
TR15 .H5810 no. 766
mfm 814
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_376634

Notes sur l'histoire de la photographie astronomique. [Microform] / par G. Rayet

Author:
Rayet, Georges  Search this
Physical description:
63 p. ; 25 cm
Type:
Microforms
Date:
1982
1887
Topic:
Astronomical photography  Search this
Call number:
mfm 814
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_377483

Die Photographie im Dienste der Himmelskunde und die Aufgaben der Bergobservatorien : mit zwölf Gutachten von Fachgelehrten Oesterreichs, Deutschlands und Amerikas über das Project der Errichtung einer Sternwarte auf dem Schneeberg. [Microform] / von Karl Kostersitz

Author:
Kostersitz, Karl  Search this
Physical description:
53 p., 2 leaves of plates : ill. ; 24 cm
Type:
Microforms
Date:
1982
1900
Topic:
Astronomical photography  Search this
Call number:
mfm 814
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_377092

Terrestrial atmospheric absorption of the photographic rays of light. [Microform] By J.M. Schaeberle... Printed by authority of the Regents of the University of California

Author:
Schaeberle, John Martin 1853-1924  Search this
Physical description:
2 p. 1, 90 p. 24 cm
Type:
Microforms
Date:
1982
1893
Topic:
Astronomical photography  Search this
Call number:
mfm 814
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_377546

Practische Anleitung zur Himmelsphotographie nebst einer kurzgefassten Anleitung zur modernen photographischen Operation und der Spectral-photographie im Cabinet. [microform] Mit 218 Textabbildungen

Author:
Konkoly Thege, Miklós 1842-1916  Search this
Physical description:
xvi, 372 p
Type:
Microforms
Date:
1982
1887
Topic:
Astronomical photography  Search this
Call number:
mfm 814
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_377091

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