Scope and Content Note
The papers of Alexander Dallas Bache (1806-1867) span the years 1828-1863 and include six series: General Correspondence, Special Correspondence, Journal, Scrapbook, Miscellany, and Addition. The bulk of the material is concentrated in the years 1836-1838 and 1857-1863.
The General Correspondence series relates mainly to the United States Coast Survey when Bache served as superintendent, 1843-1867. During his administration the Coast Survey published detailed maps of the East Coast of the United States. Its navigation charts of the Carolina and Georgia coasts were used during the Civil War to assist in enforcing the blockade of Southern ports.
Bache devised new instruments and methods to improve the work of the Coast Survey. While with the Survey, he also served on the Light-House Board and was superintendent of weights and measures, coordinating these activities to produce detailed navigation charts. Correspondents include John Jordan Crittenden, John A. Dahlgren, Charles H. Davis, Benjamin A. Gould, Joseph Henry, Benjamin Peirce, Benjamin Silliman (1816-1885), and George E. Waring.
The Dudley Observatory in Albany, New York, was established in 1856 for the advancement of astronomy. Bache was a member of the Scientific Council which directed the Observatory’s research and controlled daily operations; other council members were Benjamin Gould, Joseph Henry, and Benjamin Peirce. A conflict of interest between the Scientific Council and the Board of Trustees, which almost destroyed the Observatory, is detailed in the Special Correspondence series. Principal correspondents were Blandina Dudley, main financial supporter of the Observatory, and Benjamin Gould, Joseph Henry, Thomas Olcott, Benjamin Peirce, and C. H. F. Peters.
A scrapbook of newspaper clippings reflects Bache's interest in scientific developments of the period. The Miscellany series consists of a partial index of correspondents between 1857 and 1860, and the Addition contains photocopies of letters from George W. Dean to Bache, 1860-1861.
Dates
- Creation: 1828-1863
- Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1836-1863)
Language of Materials
Collection material in English
Access and Restrictions
The Bache Papers are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of A. D. Bache is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Biographical Note
Biographical Note
- 1806, July 19
- Born, Philadelphia, Pa.
- 1821 - 1825
- Attended United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
- 1825 - 1826
- Assistant, Department of Engineering, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
- 1826 - 1828
- Assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers, Newport, R.I.
- 1828
- Married Nancy Clarke Fowler
- 1828 - 1836
- Professor of natural philosophy and chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
- 1829
- Elected member, American Philosophical Society and the Franklin Institute
- 1833 - 1836
- Member, Board of Trustees, Girard College, Philadelphia, Pa.
- 1836
- Elected president, Girard College, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Went to Europe to observe educational institutions, methods, and discipline
- 1839
- Published Report on Education in Europe . Philadelphia: Lydia R. Bailey
- Appointed principal, Central High School, Philadelphia, Pa.
- 1840
- Resigned as president of Girard College to be superintendent of schools, Philadelphia, Pa.
- 1842
- Professor, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
- 1843 - 1867
- Superintendent, United States Coast Survey
- 1850 - 1851
- President, American Association for the Advancement of Science
- 1855 - 1857
- President, American Philosophical Society
- 1861 - 1865
- Vice president, United States Sanitary Commission
- 1863
- Planned the defense of Philadelphia, Pa., against Robert E. Lee's advance into the North
- 1863 - 1867
- Charter member and first president, National Academy of Sciences
- 1864 - 1865
- Visited Europe to recover his health
- 1867, Feb. 17
- Died in Newport, R.I.
Extent
2,000 items
18 containers
7.2 linear feet
5 microfilm reels
Abstract
Scientist, educator, and superintendent of the United States Coast Survey. Correspondence, a journal, and miscellaneous material reflecting Bache’s service with the United States Coast Survey, his work at the Dudley Observatory, and his European trip to study educational methods.
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is arranged in six series:
Additional Guides
The deposit of 1914 has been briefly described in the Annual Report of the Librarian of Congress, 1914 , pp. 59-60.
Catalog Record
Provenance
The papers of A. D. Bache, physicist and administrator, were deposited in the Library of Congress by Caroline Henry, daughter of Bache's colleague, Joseph Henry, in 1914. A small addition was given by Alice Scoville Barry in 1981 and transferred to the collection from the Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection in 2003. One item was purchased in 1973.
Microfilm
A microfilm edition of part of these papers is available on five reels. Consult a reference librarian in the Manuscript Division concerning availability for purchase or interlibrary loan. To promote preservation of the originals, researchers are required to consult the microfilm edition.
Transfers
Items have been transferred from the Manuscript Division to other custodial divisions of the Library. Some maps have been transferred to the Geography and Map Division. A photograph has been transferred to the Prints and Photographs Division. All transfers are identified in these divisions as part of the Bache Papers.
Processing History
The A. D. Bache Papers were processed in 1975. The finding aid was revised and expanded with the addition of a few items in 2003 and revised again 1n 2009
Source
- Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867 (Creator, Person)
Subject
- Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867. (Person)
- Crittenden, John J. (John Jordan), 1787-1863--Correspondence. (Person)
- Dahlgren, John Adolphus Bernard, 1809-1870--Correspondence. (Person)
- Dana, James Dwight, 1813-1895--Correspondence. (Person)
- Davis, Charles Henry, 1807-1877--Correspondence. (Person)
- Dean, George W. (George Washington), 1825-1897--Correspondence. (Person)
- Dudley, Blandina Bleecker, 1783-1863--Correspondence. (Person)
- Gould, Benjamin Apthorp, 1824-1896--Correspondence. (Person)
- Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878--Correspondence. (Person)
- Palmer, W. R. (William R.), -1862--Correspondence. (Person)
- Peirce, Benjamin, 1809-1880--Correspondence. (Person)
- Preble, George Henry, 1816-1885--Correspondence. (Person)
- Silliman, Benjamin, Jr., 1816-1885--Correspondence. (Person)
- Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862--Correspondence. (Person)
- Waring, George E. (George Edwin), 1833-1898--Correspondence. (Person)
- Dudley Observatory. (Organization)
- Girard College--Presidents. (Organization)
- United States Coast Survey. (Organization)
- United States. Light-House Board. (Organization)
Geographic
- Atlantic Coast (U.S.)--Maps.
- Europe--Description and travel.
- Georgia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
- Missouri--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
- Pennsylvania--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
- Philadelphia (Pa.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
- South Carolina--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
- United States--Foreign relations--19th century.
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--African Americans.
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Blockades.
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns.
- Virginia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
Occupation
Topical
- Astronomy--Research.
- Cavalry--Missouri.
- Discoveries in science.
- Education--Europe--Methodology.
- International relations.
- Navigation--Atlantic Coast (U.S.)
- Peninsular Campaign, Va., 1862.
- War--Moral and ethical aspects.
- Weights and measures--United States.
Uniform Title
- Title
- A. D. Bache Papers
- Subtitle
- A Finding Aid to the Collection in the Library of Congress
- Author
- Prepared by Marilyn ParrRevised by Brian McGuire
- Date
- 2003
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Part of the Manuscript Division Repository
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