Joseph Henry collection
Ms. Coll. 1000
Finding aid prepared by Justin A. Bortnick.
Last updated on July 24, 2014.
University of Pennsylvania, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
24 June 2014
Joseph Henry collection
Table of Contents
Summary Information....................................................................................................................................3
Biography/History..........................................................................................................................................4
Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 4
Administrative Information........................................................................................................................... 5
Related Materials........................................................................................................................................... 5
Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................6
Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 7
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Joseph Henry collection
Summary Information
Repository
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare
Books and Manuscripts
Creator
Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878
Title
Joseph Henry collection
Call number
Ms. Coll. 1000
Date [inclusive]
1831-1872
Extent
0.25 linear feet (1 box)
Language
English
Abstract
Joseph Henry (1797-1878) was an American scientist who served as the
first secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. One of the most highlyregarded American scientists during his lifetime, he is known for his
pioneering work on electromagnetism. The collection is comprised of
correspondences between Henry and his colleagues in the scientific and
academic communities. Subjects range from a letter of recommendation
for the appointment of a friend to the faculty of William and Mary College
to administrative affairs.
Cite as:
Joseph Henry collection, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts,
University of Pennsylvania
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Joseph Henry collection
Biography/History
Joseph Henry (1797-1878) was an American scientist and professor who served as the first secretary of
the Smithsonian Institution, from 1846 to 1878. One of the most highly-regarded American scientists
during his lifetime, he is known for his pioneering work on electromagnetism. Henry discovered
the phenomenon of self-induction and, independent of Michael Faraday, the phenomenon of mutual
induction. His inventions include a precursor to the modern doorbell and the electric relay. In the
International System of Units, the unit for induction (the henry) is named in his honor.
Born in Albany, New York to William and Ann Henry, Henry attended Albany Academy, where, in
addition to his studies, he worked as a chemical assistant and lecture preparer. It was at this school,
following an appointment in 1826 to the position of professor of mathematics and natural philosophy,
that he began his research on electromagnetism. In 1832 he took an appointment as professor of natural
philosophy at the College of New Jersey (present-day Princeton University).
After being voted secretary of the Smithsonian in 1846, Henry focused the institution on fostering
relationships abroad, as well as publishing original research. He created a program that studied weather
patterns that would eventually develop into the National Weather Service. Over 600 volunteers across the
country participated in the Smithsonian Meteorological Project, providing the institution with monthly
reports on temperature, humidity, air pressure and more.
After a paralytic attack in December of 1877, Henry's health rapidly deteriorated, and on May 13, 1878 he
died in his quarters in the Smithsonian Castle. A statue of him stands outside the Castle today.
Scope and Contents
The collection is comprised of correspondences between Henry and his collegues in the scientific and
academic communities. The majority of letters are addressed to Henry, though there are a small number
which he composed himself. Subjects range from a letter of recommendation for the appointment of a
friend to the faculty of William and Mary College to administrative affairs. There is a set of nineteen
letters to and from Alexander Dallas Bache (1806-1867), a prominent contemporary who served as the
superintendent of the United States Coast Survey.
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Joseph Henry collection
Administrative Information
University of Pennsylvania, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
24 June 2014
Finding aid prepared by Justin A. Bortnick.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of
Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the
holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books
and Manuscripts.
Related Materials
Related Archival Materials note
At American Philosophical Society: Joseph Henry letters, 1836-1878
At Princeton University: Joseph Henry collection, 1834-1878.
At Smithsonian Institution: Office of the Secretary records and Joseph Henry Collection, 1808,
1825-1878, and related papers to circa 1903
At Syracuse University: Joseph Henry Letters, 1863-1877.
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Joseph Henry collection
Controlled Access Headings
Form/Genre(s)
• Correspondence
Personal Name(s)
• Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867
Subject(s)
• Science--United States--History--19th century
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Joseph Henry collection
Collection Inventory
Box
Folder
Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1833-1853.
1
1
Beck, Lewis Caleb, 15 March 1848, 15 September 1848.
1
2
Bullions, Peter, 1842-1848.
1
3
Cady, Daniel, 1831-1832.
1
4
Crane? Capt., 5 July 1848.
1
5
Cochran, James, 7 May 1832.
1
6
Espy, Mrs. [James Pollard], 24 August 1848.
1
7
Frazier, John Fries, 28 March 1869.
1
8
Hopkins, William Fenn, 22 July 1848.
1
9
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Joseph Henry collection
Jewett, Charles Coffin, 1847-1848.
1
10
Lieber, Francis, 1847-1848.
1
11
Locke, John, 1847-1848.
1
12
Loomis, Elias, 6 April 1844.
1
13
New York University, Chancellor, 14 September 1848.
1
14
Seaton, W. W. [William Winston], 11 October 1847.
1
15
Stevenson, A[ndrew], 10 June 1848.
1
16
Stockton, R[obert] F[ield], 1838.
1
17
Torrey, John, 4 January 1848, 8 August 1948.
1
18
William and Mary College Board of Visitors, 11 February 1848.
1
19
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