Charles Allen Munn collection relating to Charles Willson Peale, John Trumbull and Benjamin West

Scope and Contents

The microfilmed Charles Allen Munn collection relating to Charles Willson Peale, John Trumbull and Benjamin West contain a diary of Charles Willson Peale (1788-1789); letters, an account book (1816), and a letter book (1809-1810) of John Trumbull; and a brief manuscript autobiography of Benjamin West.

The Charles Willson Peale papers include a diary kept in Philadelphia and Annapolis (May 30, 1788-May 5, 1789). Peale writes about working on his drawing machine "for taking perspective views;" people sitting for portraits; techniques in painting; repairing pictures; travel conditions between Philadelphia and Annapolis; the operation of his Philadelphia Museum; recipes for preserving birds and animals; business and travel expenses; experiments in making bifocals; social activities; and acquaintances.

John Trumbull papers include correspondence, accounts, and a corrected proof of an original manuscript of a description of Trumbull's pictures. The Benjamin West papers consist of an undated autobiography.

Biographical / Historical

Charles Allen Munn (1859-1924) was an editor, publisher, and art patron in New York, New York.

Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) was a painter, inventor, and naturalist known for his portraits of leading figures in the American Revolution, and for founding the Peale Museum (later the Philadelphia Museum), one of the first major museums in the United States.

John Trumbull (1756-1843) was a painter known for his paintings depicting the leaders and events of the American Revolution.

Benjamin West (1738-1820) was an American painter known for his historical and religious paintings. He was historical painter to the court for George III and Surveyor of the King's Pictures, as well as the second President of the Royal Academy. Many American artists traveled to London to study under him, including Charles Willson Peale and John Trumbull.

Related Materials

The Archives of American Art holds the Charles Willson Peale diaries and exhibition announcement, 1765-1826; the John Trumbull collection, 1790-[ca. 1800]; Papers from John Trumbull's paint box, 1794-[ca. 1830]; Theodore Sizer research material on John Trumbull, 1790-1952; and the Benjamin West collection, 1771-circa 1879. Also found at the Archives of American Art are the microfilmed Mary Jane Peale and Peale family selected papers, circa 1815-1897; microfilmed selected Peale family papers, 1803-1854; microfilmed selected papers from the Peale-Sellers collection, circa 1767-1904; microfilmed Augusta Barker papers, 1875-1887; microfilmed John Trumbull papers, 1787-1843; the microfilmed Canning collection of papers relating to John Trumbull, 1799; the microfilmed John Trumbull collection at the Gilcrease Institute, 1820-1831; microfilmed Benjamin West selected papers from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1755-1819.

The American Philosophical Society holds the Peale-Sellers Family Collection, 1686-1963 and the Peale family papers, 1705-1898. The Library of Congress holds the John Trumbull papers, 1786-1841; Princeton University Manuscripts Division holds the John Trumbull Collection, 1768-1842; Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library holds the John Trumbull papers, 1800-1842; Yale University Manuscripts and Archives Repository holds the John Trumbull papers, 1750-1961. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania holds assorted Benjamin West collections; Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library holds the Benjamin West papers, 1762-1829.