Maria Mitchell letters, circa 1846-1868
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Summary
- Creator:
- Mitchell, Maria, 1818-1889 and Baskin, Lisa Unger
- Abstract:
- Maria Mitchell was a pioneering United States astronomer. This collection comprises three social correspondence notes written by Mitchell between approximately 1846-1868.
- Extent:
- 0.1 Linear Feet (3 items)
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.11397
Background
- Scope and content:
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Collection comprises three manuscript notes by Mitchell. The first, written while Mitchell was the librarian at the Nantucket Atheneum, is addressed to a Mrs. Greene regarding a John Quincy Adams letter Mitchell has forwarded to her "at Phebe's request" for her autograph business. The second, written while Mitchell was teaching at Vassar College, is addressed to a Mrs. Burner asking for letters of recommendation to a number of people in London. The third, dated 1877, to a Miss Ladd, sends her regrets for not being able to speak at the Harvard School commencement.
- Biographical / historical:
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Maria Mitchell was a pioneering American astronomer. A Nantucket native, Mitchell worked from 1836-1856 as the first librarian at the Nantucket Atheneum, during which time she discovered "Miss Mitchell's Comet." In 1865, she was appointed the first professor of astronomy at Vassar College, where she worked until her retirement. Michell also identified with the abolition and women's rights movements. She was the first woman elected to both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Philosophical Society.
- Acquisition information:
- The Maria Mitchell letters were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2015.
- Processing information:
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Processed by Megan E. Lewis, March, 2017
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2015-0050-LUBMSS337-339
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
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Contents
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- Restrictions:
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Collection is open for research.
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- Preferred citation:
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[Identification of item], Maria Mitchell letters, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.