Scope and Contents
The Edward Claudius Herrick Papers date from 1827 to 1862 and are arranged in five series: I. CORRESPONDENCE, II. SCIENTIFIC FILES, III. YALE UNIVERSITY FILES, IV. FINANCIAL AND LEGAL FILES, and V. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES AND MEMORABILIA.
With few exceptions, CORRESPONDENCE is only incoming letters. Most of the letters deal with scientific subjects; in particular there is a great deal of correspondence about the aurora borealis. Among the important correspondents are Louis Agassiz, James D. Dana, Thaddeus William Harris, Elias Loomis, Lambert-Adolphe Jacques Quetelet, William C. Redfield, Samuel H. Scudder, Benjamin Silliman, Benjamin Silliman, Jr., and William Tully.
SCIENTIFIC FILES is primarily concerned with Herrick's work in astronomy and entomology. His memoranda, notes, and observations of the aurora borealis constitute a major part of the astronomical papers. Herrick's entomological specialty was the Hessian fly, which he spent nine years studying. The papers representing this study include notes, observations, and drawings.
Herrick served as librarian of Yale College from 1843 to 1858. In YALE UNIVERSITY FILES are many records concerning the early years of the Yale College Library. Included are catalogues, invoices, and memoranda regarding books Yale had or wanted to purchase.
After the death of James Kingsley, Herrick assumed responsibility for the Yale College triennial catalogues. His papers include memoranda on the writing and publishing of the catalogue, and information for Yale classes 1847, 1850, 1853, 1856, 1859, and 1862.
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL FILES contains both personal financial records and the business records of Herrick and Noyes, Booksellers.
Of interest in MISCELLANEOUS NOTES AND MEMORANDA are memoranda concerning New Haven, especially the bicentennial celebration and the colonial burial ground.
The papers were transferred from Beinecke Rare Book Library in 1973. Herrick's papers as Yale University treasurer will be found in the Yale archives record group, Finance and Administration, Treasurer's Records (YRG 5-B).
Dates
- 1797-1862
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transferred from the Beinecke Rare Book Library in 1973.
Arrangement
Arranged in five series: I. Correspondence. II. Scientific Files. III. Yale University Files. IV. Financial and Legal Files. V. Miscellaneous Notes and Memorabilia.
Extent
10.83 Linear Feet (17 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
Correspondence, memoranda, notes, and drawings record Herrick's work in astonomy and entomology, particularly his observations on the Aurora Borealis and the Hessian fly. Prominent scientists among his correspondents include Louis Agassiz, James D. Dana, Thaddeus William Harris, Elias Loomis, Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet, William C. Redfield, Samuel H. Scudder, Benjamin Silliman, Benjamin Silliman Jr., and William Tully. His career as librarian of Yale College (1843-1858) is reflected in catalogues, invoices, and memoranda relating to book purchases for the library. Between 1847 and 1862 he also supervised the publication of the triennial catalogues for Yale College and memoranda concerning these are also in the papers. His financial and legal files contain both personal records and account books (1835-1844) for the booksellers' firm of Herrick and Noyes, of which he was a partner. Also included are papers relating to New Haven including minutes of committee meetings, reports and correspondence on the Bicentennial (1838).
Biographical / Historical
Edward C. Herrick: Yale University librarian, 1843-1858; treasurer of Yale College, 1852-1862; scientist active in investigating the Hessian fly; also interested in astronomy.
- Account books
- Agassiz, Louis, 1807-1873
- Astronomy
- Auroras
- Barnard, Frederick A. P. (Frederick Augustus Porter), 1809-1889
- Booksellers and bookselling
- Dana, James Dwight, 1813-1895
- Duyckinck, Evert A. (Evert Augustus), 1816-1878
- Entomology
- Harris, Thaddeus William, 1795-1856
- Harris, William Thaddeus, 1826-1854
- Herrick and Noyes
- Herrick, Edward Claudius, 1811-1862
- Herschel, John F. W. (John Frederick William), 1792-1871
- Hessian fly
- Jones, George, 1800-1870
- Librarians
- Loomis, Elias, 1811-1889
- New Haven (Conn.) -- History
- Quetelet, Adolphe, 1796-1874
- Redfield, W. C. (William C.), 1789-1857
- Science
- Scientists
- Scudder, Samuel Hubbard, 1837-1911
- Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864
- Silliman, Benjamin, 1816-1885
- Tully, William, 1785-1859
- Yale University -- Curricula
- Yale University -- Officals and employees
- Yale University. Library
- Yale University. Treasurer
- Title
- Guide to the Edward Claudius Herrick Papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- compiled by Nancy L. Fappiano
- Date
- August 1981
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)
beinecke.library@yale.edu
Location
Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511