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Edward E. Ayer typescript memoir

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MS-0719

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a bound volume of a memoir written by Ayer. It is titled, Reminiscences and Travels of Edward E. Ayer and is a version of multiple narratives Ayer wrote on his life. This particular memoir primarily describes his experiences in the American West, from 1861 to 1918. He likely wrote this narrative in 1924, as other versions of his memoirs were written around this time.

The volume is inscribed to Daniel Willard:

To my very dear friend Daniel Willard. In memory of many pleasant hours with him. From another ground floor man. Edward E. Ayer.

From dealer description:

Edward E. Ayer, typescript of memoirs and travel accounts, 186 pp. 4to, 3/4 brown morocco, teg. With a warm presentation to Daniel Willard. Edward Everett Ayer [1841-1927], railway lumberman, bibliophile, naturalist; founder and first president of the Field Museum of Natural History, trustee of the Newberry Library. Daniel Willard [1861-1942], longtime president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad [from 1910], chairman of Council of National Defense [1917-1918] and chairman of War Industries Board; Johns Hopkins University trustee.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1924

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Edward Everett Ayer (1841-1927) was an American business magnate, best remembered for the endowments of his substantial collections of books and original manuscripts from Native American and colonial-era history and ethnology, which were donated to the Newberry Library and Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. He was trustee for the former, and the founder and first president of the latter. In addition, Ayer was a trustee for Johns Hopkins University. He had over time built an immense fortune out of supplying timber to the 19th century's fast-growing railroad industry.

Extent

0.167 Cubic Feet (1 legal size folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Edward Everett Ayer (1841-1927) was an American business magnate, best remembered for the endowments of his substantial collections of books and original manuscripts to the Newberry Library and Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. He had over time built an immense fortune out of supplying timber to the 19th century's fast-growing railroad industry. The collection contains a bound volume of a memoir written by Ayer, titled Reminiscences and Travels of Edward E. Ayer and is a version of multiple narratives Ayer wrote on his life. He likely wrote this volume in 1924, as other versions of his memoirs were written around this time.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This was donated by Richard Macksey during the 2003-2004 academic year.

Related Materials

The Edward E. Ayer Papers are located at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, California.

Processing Information

This collection was processed in September 2015 by Annie Tang.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA