Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Draper Family Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0121
Creators:
Draper, John William, 1811-1882
Draper, Henry, 1837-1882
Draper, John Christopher, 1835-1885 (chemist)
Draper, Daniel, 1841-1931 (meteorologist)
Mora, José Maria, ca. 1846-1926
Nye, Dorothy Catherine Draper
University of the City of New York
New York Meteorological Observatory.
Dates:
circa 1826-1936
Languages:
Collection text is in
English
. Some materials in
Dutch
,
French
,
German
,
Italian
,
Japanese
,
Latin
,
Spanish
Physical Description:
4.3 Cubic feet
13 boxes
Repository:
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

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

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

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.

Administration

Author
Robert S. Harding
Custodial History
Transferred from the Division of Physical Sciences, 1984 (now the Division of Medicine and Science).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Deeded to the Smithsonian Institution by John William Christopher Draper and James Christopher Draper on January 2, 1972.
Processing Information
Processed by Robert S. Harding, archivist, 1984.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Draper Family Collection, 1835-1908, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Spectrum analysis Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Scientists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wills Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Astronomy Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Certificates Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Astronomers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Astronomical photography Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Physical sciences Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photomicrographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Reprints Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Physicians Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 19th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 1840-1850 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Meteorology Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lectures Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Diplomas Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Chemists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Chemistry Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photography Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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