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Edward S. Morse Notebooks

 Collection
Identifier: A2025-02-01

Content Description

This collection contains volumes of papers and publications by Edward S. Morse. The publications feature his work in various scientific and naturalist journals, including the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History (BSNH), The Nautilus, and Science. There are many illustrations by hand of various members of the mollusk family, as well as close studies of parts of birds. Tucked into volumes are letters about his publications and studies,... more illustrations by hand, illustrated book plates from other publications, and handwritten notes. While many of the publications and drawings can be attributed to Morse there are some drawings in pencil that are unattributed.

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Dates

  • 1857 - 1962
  • Majority of material found within 1857 - 1926

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for use. Some of the papers and the binding are fragile and require special care instructions.

Conditions Governing Use

Dated materials are in the public domain, but other materials are still under copyright by other individuals and organizations. The researcher assumes all responsibility for identifying copyright holders and attaining permission for reproduction.

Biographical / Historical

Edward Sylvester Morse (1838-1925) was a scholar of zoology, archaeology, and Japan. Elected to curator of Mollusks at the Boston Society of Natural History in 1867, Morse also was at various times the director of the Peabody Academy of Science (now the Peabody Essex Museum), the Keeper of Pottery at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, a member of the American Antiquarian Society, and president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.... Morse was also awarded orders of merit from Japan and was the chair of comparative anatomy and zoology at Bowdoin College. Morse was a prominent supporter of the theory of evolution. Some of Morse's most important scientific work is on brachiopods and mollusks. Morse is also known for Morse's Law, which established a set pattern where mammals and reptiles with reduced fingers lose them in a specific order.

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Extent

12 Volumes : 6 volumes and 6 slim pamphlets

1.12 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Latin

German

French

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Arrangement

Volumes kept intact with nothing removed, presumed to be how it was made. Kept in order by publication date.

Custodial History

These items were found in storage. Two of the six larger volumes have identical typewritten notes explaining that "four volumes" were gifted by Catharine Robb Whyte, granddaughter of Edward S. Morse and acclaimed artist, in 1962. Some of the volumes are stamped with Morse's name. It is unclear how every piece arrived at the Boston Society of Natural History.

Accruals

None are expected.

Related Materials

Personal and professional papers of Edward S. Morse can be found in many institutions, including: the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Field Museum Library at the Field Museum of Natural History, the University of Pennsylvania Library, the Maine Historical Society Library, the Peabody Essex Museum, the Duke University Medical Center Library and Archives, Houghton Library and the Ernst Mayr Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard, Boston College, the Boston Athenaeum, and Waseda University Library (in Japan).

Processing Information

While not all items by Morse were found or associated with the provenance note from his granddaughter, they are grouped together because they contain unpublished material by Morse. Processed by Emily Buff (Archives Management Graduate Intern)

Title
Edward S. Morse Notebooks Finding Aid
Status
Completed
Author
Emily Buff (Archives Management Graduate Intern)
Date
January 2025
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Museum of Science, Boston Archives Repository

Contact:
One Science Park
Boston Massachusetts 02114