Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/rf55z770b
Stephen Alexander Collection, 1827-1882: Finding Aid
C1004
Alexander's certificate of membership in the American Philosophical Society
One Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA
Phone: (609) 258-3184
Fax: (609) 258-2324
rbsc@princeton.edu
http://www.princeton.edu/~rbsc
Published on January 10, 2006
©2006 Princeton University Library
Summary Information
- Creator:
- Alexander, Stephen, 1806-1883.
- Title and dates:
- Stephen Alexander Collection, 1827-1882
- Abstract:
- Consists primarily of correspondence of nineteenth-century American astronomer Stephen Alexander.
- Size:
- .25 linear feet (1 half-size archival box)
- Call number:
- C1004
- Location:
- Princeton University Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Manuscripts Division.
Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA - Language(s) of material:
- English
- Storage note:
- This collection is stored onsite at Firestone Library.
Biography of Stephen Alexander
Stephen Alexander was an astronomer, a mathematician, an author, and an educator, under whose influence astronomy first developed as a separate discipline at Princeton University. He graduated with honors from Union College at the age of eighteen. A cousin and also a brother-in-law of Joseph Henry, he collaborated with Henry in his scientific investigations at Albany Academy and accompanied him to Princeton in 1832. Appointed tutor in mathematics in 1833 and professor of astronomy in 1840, Alexander's association with Princeton continued for fifty years. He gave Princeton's first discrete course in astronomy and the College's first astronomy building, the Halsted Observatory, was built through his influence and from his plans. He studied the atmospheres of Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter, and led expeditions for the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the National Academy of Sciences to observe solar eclipses. He was president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1859 and was chosen as one of the original fifty members of the National Academy of Sciences in 1862.
Description
The collection chiefly consists of correspondence between Alexander and John S. Hart, Joseph Henry, Alexander Dallas Bache, Benjamin F. Joslin, Francis Baily, Charles Babbage, de Rothenburg, James Challis, John T. Nixon, Caleb Smith Green, and William S. Stryker. The collection also contains a journal of a sea voyage, dated June 28 to August 6, 1860; an 1839 certificate of membership to the American Philosophical Society, signed by Bache; a receipt of funds from Stephen W. Woodbridge, treasurer of the Nassau Hall Bible Society; and handwritten notes of an address before the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Arrangement
The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Access and Use
Access
This collection is open for research.
Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Custodial History
The collection was formed as a result of a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.
Provenance and Acquisition
Some items were acquired from the estate of Ellen J. and Caroline M. Alexander; and some were purchased from dealers.
Processing and Other Information
Processing Information
Finding aid written by James Flannery on January 10, 2006.
Descriptive Rules Used
Finding aid content adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.
Encoding
Machine-readable finding aid encoded in EAD 2002 by James Flannery on January 10, 2006.
Finding aid written in English
Preferred Citation
Citations should be as follows: Stephen Alexander Collection, Box #, Folder #, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Subject Headings
These materials have been indexed in the Princeton University Library online catalog using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science.
- National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)
- Nassau-Hall Bible Society.
- Nassau Hall (Princeton, N.J.)
- Princeton University--History--19th century--Sources.
- Astronomers--United States--19th--century--Correspondence.
- Astronomy--Research--New Jersey--Princeton--19th century.
- Astronomy--Study and teaching--New Jersey--Princeton--19th century.
- Scientists--United States--19th--century--Correspondence.
- Correspondence.
- Logbooks--United States--19th century.
- Manuscripts, American--19th century.
Browse other finding aids related to the following terms:
Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/rf55z770b