Scope and Content Note
The papers of Samuel Franklin Emmons (1841-1911) span the years 1725-1913, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1861-1911. The collection consists of diaries and field notes, letterbooks, correspondence, family papers, subject files, financial records, photographs, printed matter, and scrapbooks. Some material is in French, German, Spanish, and Italian. The collection was damaged by fire and water prior to being received by the Library and much of it is in fragile or decayed condition.
The papers treat Emmons's education, personal life, and business ventures, but the focus is on his explorations in the western United States, on geological formations and mines and mining, and on the United States Geological Survey that Emmons cofounded with Clarence King (1842-1901). Prominent in the collection are files pertaining to the United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, 1867-1876. There is considerable family material, including correspondence with his uncle, N. Henry Evans, and papers relating to his wives, Sophie D. Markoe and Suzanne Earle Odgen-Jones Emmons Bartlett.