Guide to the Wilbur Olin Atwater Papers,
1869-[ca.1914]

Collection Number: 2223

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
N. Dean
Date completed:
October 1964
EAD encoding:
Martin Heggestad, June 2003

© 2002 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Wilbur Olin Atwater papers, 1869-[ca.1914]
Collection Number:
2223
Creator:
Wilbur Olin Atwater, 1844-1907.
Quantity:
39 reels negative microfilm, .7 cubic feet
Forms of Material:
Letterpress books, correspondence, notes, journals, articles, and pamphlets.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Includes letterpress books, 1876-1901; incoming letters, 1881-1903; student papers; and notes on experiments. The correspondence is concerned mostly with establishment of experiment stations in the U.S., with chemical analyses carried out, with other professional and administrative duties, and with family affairs. Also, a journal of a trip to Europe in 1869, speeches, articles, and pamphlets.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Wilbur O. Atwater (1844-1907) was an agricultural chemist who was director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 1875-1877, 1888-1902, and of the Office of Experiment Stations, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1888-1891. He taught chemistry at Wesleyan University from 1873 until his death in 1907.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Letterpress books, 1876-1901; incoming letters, 1881-1903; student papers; and notes on experiments. The correspondence is concerned mostly with establishment of experiment stations in the United States, with chemical analyses carried out, with other professional and administrative duties, and with family affairs. Correspondents include American Copyright League, American Chemical Society, American Society for the Extension of University Teaching, Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Maine State College, New York Association for Improving the Conditions of the Poor, New York Tribune, New York University, Pennsylvania State College, Rose Polytechnic Institute, Simpson College, U.S. Geological Survey, University of Virginia, Yale University, members of Congress, scientific and other periodicals, laboratories, and buinesses. Also, journal of a trip to Europe in 1869, speeches, articles, and pamphlets.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Atwater, Wilbur Olin, 1844-1907.
American Chemical Society.
American Copyright League.
American Society for the Extension of University Teaching.
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Geological Survey (U.S.)
Maine State College.
New York Association for Improving the Conditions of the Poor.
New York University.
Pennsylvania State College.
Rose Polytechnic Institute.
Simpson College.

Titles:
New York Tribune.

Subjects:
Agriculture--Connecticut.
Agricultural experiment stations.
Chemistry.
Chemists.

Form and Genre Terms:
Letterpress copybooks.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Restrictions on use:
Permission of Archivist of Wesleyan University required for copying.
Cite As:
Wilbur Olin Atwater papers, #2223. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
RELATED MATERIALS

Description contains information for collections #2223 and #2793.
CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
Notes by Atwater
Atwater's handwritten notes
 Box 2
Publications by Atwater
Atwater's publications
 Box 1
Impression copy books, 1876-1901
1876-1878
Reel 1
1878-1884
Reel 2
1884-1888
Reel 3
Mar.-Aug. 1888, Dec. 1886, Jan.-July 1887
Reel 4
Aug. 1887-Jan. 1889
Reel 5
Oct. 1890-June 1892
Reel 6
July 1892-Feb. 1894
Reel 7
Feb. 1894-Dec. 1894
Reel 8
Dec. 1894-Apr. 1896
Reel 9
Apr. 1896-Mar. 1897
Reel 10
Mar. 1897-Apr. 1898
Reel 11
Apr. 1898-June 1899
Reel 12
July 1899-Sept. 1899
Reel 13
Sept. 1899-June 1900
Reel 14
June 1900-Dec. 1902
Reel 15
June 1899- , experiments
Reel 16
Incoming correspondence
Jan. 1881-Apr. 1884
Reel 1
May 1884-June 1886
Reel 2
July 1886-Mar. 1889
Reel 3
Apr. 1889-Jan. 1891
Reel 4
Feb. 1891-Dec. 1892
Reel 5
Jan. 1893-Jan. 1896 , no year 1894
Reel 6
Feb. 1896-Dec. 1897
Reel 7
Jan. 1898-June 1899
Reel 8
July 1899-Dec. 1899
Reel 9
Jan. 1900-Dec. 1900
Reel 10
Jan. 1901-Nov. 1901
Reel 11
Dec. 1901-1903 and miscellaneous
Reel 12
Miscellaneous, cont'd
 Reel 13
Additional W.O. Atwater papers, 1876-1892 , accessioned Sept. 13, 1962
Note: Material not in chronological order. Also, there seems to be material for years 1893, 1894.
Papers
 Reel 1
Additional papers, 1869-1914
Nine reels negative microfilm made Mar. 1968; originals returned to Wesleyan Univ. Library.
Biographical data
 Reel 1
Atwater's 1869 journal of trip to Europe
Reel 1
His travel letters and lectures re: Europe printed in the newspapers, 1871-1873
Reel 1
General correspondence, Feb. 16, 1872-Dec. 16, 1878
Reel 1
General correspondence, Jan. 6, 1879-May 31, 1887
Reel 2
General correspondence, June 1, 1887-July 31, 1894
Reel 3
General correspondence, Aug. 1, 1894-Dec. 22, 1902
Reel 4
General correspondence, Jan. 2, 1903-1914 and undated
Reel 5
Family correspondence, 1875-1909 and undated
Reel 5
Letterbooks: 1881-May 18, 1885 , professional correspondence and reports
Reel 6
Letterbooks: May 19-Aug. 6, 1885 , professional correspondence and reports
Reel 7
Letterbooks: 1888-1890 , Storrs Agricultural Exper. Station; W.O.A., Director; Chas. D. Woods, Acting Dir.
Reel 7
Speeches and writings: 1897-1904 and undated manuscripts by W.O.A. (includes paper and preparatory notes, 1881-1885 [incollaboration with C.D. Woods] "Nitrogen in Plants"); undated mss. by unspecified authors
Reel 8
Published articles during Atwater's stay at Wesleyan Univ. and others, 1881-1902
Reel 8
Miscellaneous reports and notes, 1889-ca. 1904
Reel 8
Experiment Station material
 Reel 8
International Nutrition Conference material, 1902
Reel 8
Food Diet material
 Reel 9
Temperance material
 Reel 9