Smithsonian Institution Archives

Theodore Gill Papers, circa 1858-1909

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FAT89103
Creators:
Gill, Theodore, 1837-1914
Dates:
circa 1858-1909
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
1.5 cu. ft. (1 record storage box) (1 document box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These papers contain Gill's manuscript notes for a variety of published and unpublished essays on his taxonomic studies and specimen descriptions. Included are descriptive lists and notes of specimens acquired from the U.S. Exploring Expedition (1838-1942), North Pacific Railroad Expedition (1853-1856), and Mexican Boundary Survey (1855-1857). Gill's work with these specimens was probably carried out around 1860. In a portion of one essay Gill briefly discusses his professional disagreements with noted naturalist Louis Agassiz. Much of the papers appear to be draft copies of essays and articles published by the Smithsonian or other scientific bodies. They begin as early as 1858 (a memoir on the history of fresh water fishes of Trinidad, published in the Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York). Most of Gill's work was published in the Proceedings of the United States National Museum, the Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections or in the Annual Report of the Smithsonian. In many instances, it is unclear whether Gill was carrying out his ichthyological studies for the Smithsonian or for the United States Fish Commission, which was headed by Spencer F. Baird for the period 1871-1887.
The papers also include essays and articles used in the ornithological magazine, Osprey, which Gill edited from about 1898-1908. A small amount of general correspondence is included, dating 1871-1908. One manuscript volume, entitled Science and Nature, appears to be a partially-completed (90 pages, A-B only) handwritten nomenclature dictionary begun by Gill.

Historical Note

Historical Note
Dr. Theodore Gill (1837-1914) was a long-time associate in the National Museum of Natural History, Division of Fishes. He was associated with the Smithsonian in a variety of paid and unpaid positions beginning in the late 1850s until his death in 1914. He specialized in the taxonomy and nomenclature of fishes. Gill wrote dozens of works on ichthyology during his career. He was also a professor of natural history and zoology at Columbian (George Washington) University. Refer to Record Unit 7098, Biographical Information File, for a complete profile of Gill and his career.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession T89103, Theodore Gill Papers

More Information

Notes

Personal Papers


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Gill, Theodore, 1837-1914 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.). Division of Fishes Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States Fish Commission Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Osprey : an illustrated monthly magazine of popular ornithology Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fishes Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ichthyology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ornithology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre/Form 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