Leander McCormick Observatory Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of about 37 items, 1870-1928, all concerning the Leander McCormick Observatory at the University of Virginia, and includes correspondence, plans and blueprints for the observatory by Wilson Brothers & Co. of Philadelphia, an article from Nature on the Newall telescope, annotated by [Leander J. McCormick?], and inscribed by him to his grandson.

The correspondence concerns expert advice solicited by McCormick from J. H. Safford, Dearborn Observatory, Chicago, Professor Joseph Henry, Smithsonian Institution, and Simon Newcomb, Naval Observatory, about the construction and design of an observatory; the selection of the University of Virginia over Washington and Lee as the site for an observatory; the building of the observatory at Virginia and the establishment of astronomy scholarships and additional funding for the astronomy program.

Acquisition information:
The papers were transferred from Leander McCormick Observatory, University of Virginia, to the University of Virginia Library on May 30, 2007.
Arrangement:

The collection is organized in three series, all of which are arranged chronologically