Descriptive Entry

This collection consists of a manuscript of Statistical Review of the Vessel Fisheries of the United States in 1880, by R. Edward Earll. The manuscript was probably prepared by Earll in connection with his work on the United States Census of 1880.

Historical Note

R. Edward Earll (1853-1896) joined the United States Fish Commission in 1877, following his graduation from Northwestern University. He served as a fish culturist for one year and then joined the scientific staff of the Commission. From 1879 to 1882, he engaged in special work for the Tenth United States Census and collected the statistics for fisheries in New England, Middle Atlantic, and Southern states. In 1883, Earll served as a member of the Commission staff for the London International Fisheries Exhibition. Upon his return, Earll was appointed Chief of the Division of Fisheries of the Fish Commission and an Honorary Curator of the United States National Museum. In 1888, he joined the Museum as a regular staff member and spent a good deal of his time working on the various expositions in which the Smithsonian and the National Museum participated. He also acted as editor of the Proceedings and the Bulletin of the Museum from 1893 to 1896.