Smithsonian Institution Archives

Samuel P. Langley Papers, 1866-1906, 1909, 1914, 1942

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU7003
Creators:
Langley, S. P. (Samuel Pierpont), 1834-1906
Dates:
1866-1906, 1909, 1914, 1942
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
19.67 cu. ft. (22 document boxes) (2 half document boxes) (11 12x17 boxes) (4 16x20 boxes) (8 microfilm reels) (6 oversize folders)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
Samuel P. Langley (1834-1906) was the third Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Apparently, many of Langley's papers were accidentally burned after his death. Langley papers in the Smithsonian are housed in the Smithsonian Archives and the National Air and Space Museum (NASM). The Allegheny Observatory holds papers from Langley's years there, from which copies of Langley's correspondence, 1867-1887, have been made for this collection.
These papers document important aspects of Langley's scientific and administrative career. Most of the material documents the progress of his aeronautical research from his first flying model of 1891 through the failure of his Aerodrome A of 1903. Also, information files housed in the National Air and Space Museum Library include secondary accounts and photographs relating to Langley's aeronautical studies. Related materials in the NASM Library include the Stephen M. Balzer papers, 1898-1902, which consist of correspondence with Langley and his associate, Charles M. Manly, regarding Balzer's aerodrome engines.
Materials in this collection consist of publications, including a bound collection of writings, and original manuscripts of many of Langley's publications, 1869-1905; diaries and shorthand notebooks, mostly kept by Langley's secretary, 1889-1905; bolograph curve and line spectrum readings; microfilm and photocopies of Langley's outgoing correspondence from the Allegheny Observatory, 1867-1887; astrophysical research correspondence; scrapbooks, 1890-1903; aeronautical research, including correspondence, wastebooks, and notes of Langley and Manly and their assistants, E. C. Huffaker, L. C. Maltby, B. L. Rhinehart, and R. L. Reed; and oversize aerodrome drawings and bolometer readings.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7003, Samuel P. Langley Papers

More Information

Notes

Personal Papers


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Langley, S. P. (Samuel Pierpont), 1834-1906 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manly, Charles Matthews, 1876-1927 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Huffaker, Edward C. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Maltby, L. C. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rinehart, Bentley L. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Reed, R. L. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Balzer, Stephen M. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Allegheny Observatory Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Aeronautics Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Astronomy and astrophysics Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Black-and-white photographs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
Contact us at osiaref@si.edu