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  Manuscript Division  H. C. Taylor Papers

H. C. Taylor Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS53249

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Henry Clay Taylor (1845-1904) span the years 1862-1904, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1897-1900. The collection consists of correspondence; Taylor's writings, including an unpublished novel, "Naroonya"; printed matter pertaining to the Spanish-American War; and photographs. The major portion of the correspondence consists of copies of letters written when Taylor commanded the USS Indiana (battleship).

Prominent correspondents include George Dewey, Samuel C. Lemley, Stephen Bleeker Luce, C. R. P. Rodgers, and William Thomas Sampson.

Dates

  • Creation: 1862-1904
  • Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1897-1900)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Access and Restrictions

The papers of H.C. Taylor 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The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of H.C. Taylor is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Biographical Note

Biographical Note

1845, Mar. 4
Born, Washington, D.C.
1863
Graduated, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
1863
Duty in USS Shenandoah (screw sloop of war) North Atlantic Blockading Squadron
1864
Duty in USS Iroquois (steam sloop of war)
1866
Duty in USS Rhode Island (side-wheel steamer), North Atlantic Squadron
1867
Duty in USS Susquehanna (side-wheel steamer), North Atlantic Squadron
1868
Duty in USS Guard (supply ship), European Fleet
1869 - 1872
Instructor of mathematics, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
1872
Duty in USS Saranac (side-wheel sloop of war), North Pacific Station
1874
Commanded USS Hassler (steamer)
1878
Duty as equipment officer, Washington Navy Yard
1880
Commanded USS Saratoga (sloop of war)
1885
Special duty in New York Navy Yard
1889
Commanded USS Alliance (screw gunboat), Asiatic Squadron
1892
Special duty, State Department, Madrid, Spain
1893 - 1896
President, Naval War College and Torpedo School, Newport, R.I.
1897 - 1899
Commanded USS Indiana (battleship)
1900
Commanded USS Vermont (ship of the line)
1901
Promoted to rear admiral
1902
Chief, Bureau of Navigation
1904
Duty in USS Mayflower (steam yacht), as chief of staff to the admiral of the navy
1904, July 26
Died, Copper Cliff, Ontario, Canada

Extent

300 items
1 container
0.4 linear feet

Abstract

Naval officer. Correspondence, diary, writings, photographs, and printed matter relating chiefly to the Spanish-American War and to Taylor's command of the U.S.S. Indiana (steamer).

Arrangement of the Papers

The collection is organized by type of material.

Provenance

The papers of H. C. Taylor, naval officer, were deposited in the Library of Congress by the Naval Historical Foundation in 1954 and converted to a gift in 1998.

Processing History

The collection was processed in 1970. The finding aid was revised in 2011.

Title
H. C. Taylor Papers
Subtitle
A Finding Aid of His Papers in the Naval Historical Foundation Collection in the Library of Congress
Author
Prepared by Ruth S. Nicholson
Date
2011
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Part of the Manuscript Division Repository

Contact:
Manuscript Reading Room
101 Independence Ave, SE
James Madison Building, LM 101
Washington, DC 20540-4683
(202) 707-5387