Smithsonian Institution Archives

Charles Rau Papers, 1859-1886

Summary

Collection ID:: SIA.FARU7070
Creators:: Rau, Charles, 1826-1887
Dates:: 1859-1886
Languages:: English
Physical Description:: 0.5 cu. ft. (1 document box) (1 oversize folder)
Repository:: Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

These papers consist of correspondence from Joseph Henry, Spencer Fullerton Baird, and scientific organizations, colleges, and libraries concerning archeological specimens and Rau's articles sent to the Smithsonian for publication; membership certificates; acknowledgment for books sent; formal death notices; a memorandum of agreement between Rau and Harper and Brothers; and statutes of two European anthropological organizations. Oversize material consists of certificates, a pencil drawing, and two Asian documents.

Historical Note

Charles Rau (1826-1887), archeologist, was born in Belgium and attended the University of Heidelberg. In 1848, Rau emigrated to the United States, where he taught foreign languages at schools in Illinois and New York City. While teaching, he conducted anthropological research on aboriginal Americans. Rau was appointed Resident Collaborator in Ethnology, United States National Museum (USNM) in 1875, and was given the responsibility for setting up the Smithsonian Institution's anthropological exhibits at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. From 1881 until his death, Rau was Curator of the Department of Archeology, USNM. Rau wrote articles and books on native Americans and on archeology in general, and many of his works were printed in Smithsonian publications.

Administration

Author

Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7070, Charles Rau Papers

More Information

Notes

Personal Papers

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms	Keyword Types
Rau, Charles, 1826-1887	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Harper & Brothers	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Universität Heidelberg	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
United States National Museum	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
United States National Museum. Department of Archeology	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Anthropology	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Archaeologists	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Archaeology	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts	Genre/Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings	Genre/Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid

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