]> urn:hdl:loc.mss/eadmss.ms001026 Matthew Fontaine Maury A Register of His Papers in the Library of Congress Prepared by Preparation Section staffRevised and expanded by Karen Linn Femia Manuscript Division Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
1997 Finding aid encoded by Library of Congress Manuscript Division, 2001 Finding aid written in English. Collection Summary Papers of Matthew Fontaine Maury 1825-1960 (bulk 1830-1880) Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873 14,650 items; 65 containers plus 1 oversize; 17.5 linear feet Manuscript Division, Library of Congress Naval officer and oceanographer. Correspondence, letterbooks, diaries, journals, speeches, articles, and other writings, notebooks, electrical experiment book, charts, and printed material relating chiefly to Maury's naval career, scientific activities and interests, service as a Confederate agent in England, and work as an immigration official for Southern expatriates in Mexico, and to the Maury (Morey) family. Selected Search Terms Names: Blackford, William M., 1801-1864--Correspondence Corbin, Nannie, 1837-1900--Correspondence Corbin, Wellford--Correspondence Hasbrouck, William C.--Correspondence Holmes, Nathaniel J.--Correspondence Jansen, Marin H. (Marin Henry), 1817-1893--Correspondence Maury, Ann, 1803-1876--Correspondence Maury, Ann, 1811-1901--Correspondence Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1849-1886--Correspondence Maury, Richard L. (Richard Lancelot), 1840-1907--Correspondence Maury, Rutson, 1805-1882--Correspondence Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867--Correspondence Minor, Franklin, 1812-1867--Correspondence Otey, James Hervey, 1800-1863--Correspondence Smith, Francis Henney, 1812-1890-Correspondence Tremlett, F. W. (Francis William)--Correspondence Werth, Mary, 1844-1928--Correspondence Withers, Eliza, b. 1846--Correspondence Morey family Morey family--Correspondence Confederate States of America. Navy--Officers United States. Navy--Officers United States. Depot of Charts and Instruments. United States Naval Observatory Coblentz, Catherine Cate, 1897-1951. Typescript (1953) Smith, C. Alphonso (Charles Alphonso), 1864-1924. Papers Subjects: American Confederate voluntary exiles--Mexico Diplomatic and consular service, Confederate--Great Britain Meteorology Mines and mineral resources Oceanography Physical geography--Virginia Science--History--19th century Torpedoes Confederate States of America--Foreign relations--Great Britain Confederate States of America--History, Naval Great Britain--Foreign relations--Confederate States of America United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Naval operations United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Refugees Occupations: Naval officers Naval officers, Confederate Oceanographers Administrative Information Provenance:

The papers and medals of Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873), naval officer and oceanographer, were given to the United States by Maury's daughter, Mary Maury Werth, and other Maury descendants in 1912 in a presentation to President William Howard Taft. The medals were placed in the Smithsonian Institution and the papers in the Library of Congress later that year. The Library acquired additional Maury papers through gifts from the Maury family and others and by purchase, 1913-1996.

Processing History:

The papers of Matthew Fontainer Maury were first arranged and described in 1962. Additional material was incorporated into the collection in 1978 and 1997.

 Transfers:

Maps have been transferred to the Library's Geography and Map Division where they are identified as part of these papers.

 Copyright Status:

The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Matthew Fontaine Maury is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

 Preferred Citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: container number, Matthew Fontaine Maury Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

 Biographical Note DateEvent 1806, Jan. 14Born near Fredericksburg, Va.; raised in Tennessee 1818Entered Harpeth Academy, near Franklin, Tenn. 1825-1834Obtained midshipman's warrant, U.S. Navy and made three extended voyages 1834Married Ann Hull Herndon; resided in Fredericksburg, Va. 1836Promoted to lieutenant Published A New Theoretical and Practical Treatise on Navigation (Philadelphia: Key and Biddle. 174 pp.) 1839Permanently lamed in stagecoach accident and thenceforth not assigned to sea duty 1842-1844Superintendent of the Navy Department's Depot of Charts and Instruments 1844-1861Superintendent of the Naval Observatory and Hydrographical Office 1847Issued first Wind and Current Charts (U.S. Hydrographic Office) showing best "tracks" for sailing ships in the North Atlantic 1853U.S. representative at international maritime congress, Brussels, Belgium 1855Published The Physical Geography of the Sea (New York: Harper & Bros. 274 pp.), the first modern oceanographic textbook Placed on inactive duty by the U.S. Navy 1858Restored to active duty by presidential order; promoted to commander retroactive to 1855 1861, Apr. 20Resigned from U.S. Navy and accepted commission as commander in Confederate Navy 1862Special agent of the Confederate government to England 1865-1866Imperial commissioner of immigration to the Emperor of Mexico 1866-1868Resided in England 1868Published First Lessons in Geography (New York: Richardson & Co. 62 pp.) Published The World We Live in (New York: Richardson & Co. 104 pp.) 1868-1872Professor of meteorology, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va. 1870Published Manual of Geography (New York: University Publishing Co. 162 pp.) 1873, Feb. 1Died, Lexington, Va. Scope and Content Note

The Matthew Fontaine Maury Papers span the years 1825-1960, with the bulk of the material dating from the 1830s to the 1870s. The papers consist of letterbooks, correspondence, diaries, notebooks, electrical experiment book, journals, drafts and printed copies of speeches and articles, charts, related printed matter, and proofs of his unpublished work "Astronomy." The papers are organized into the following series: General Correspondence, Writings, Addresses, and Lectures, Letterbooks, Miscellany, Additions, and Oversize.

The papers pertain chiefly to Maury's naval career, his scientific activities and interests, and his service to the Confederacy in the Civil War. There is also considerable material concerning the many medals and honors conferred upon him for his scientific contributions. Some subjects touched upon are mines, meteorology, the colonization of Mexico by former Confederates, physical geography of Virginia, and oceanography. Much of the correspondence is family correspondence, including many of Maury's own letters.

Prominent among his correspondents are William M. Blackford, William C. Hasbrouck, Nathaniel J. Holmes, Admiral Marin H. Jansen, Privy Councilor to the King of Holland, Ann Hull Herndon Maury, Richard L. Maury, Rutson Maury, Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, Franklin Minor, James Hervey Otey, Francis Henney Smith, Francis W. Tremlett, and Mary Herndon Maury Werth.

Placed with the collection are papers of Charles Alphonso Smith regarding Maury including clippings and notes on Maury as well as correspondence with Mary Maury (Mrs. James R.) Werth concerning her father. Also included is a typescript of a life of Maury by Catherine Cate Coblentz.

The 1978 addition to the Maury Papers consists of correspondence between various Maury family members, 1858-1878. These papers were received by the Library between 1966 and 1975. Correspondents include Nannie Corbin, Wellford Corbin, Matthew Fontaine Maury (1849-1886), Mary Herndon Maury Werth, and Eliza Hull Maury Withers. Of particular interest are the letters Maury received during the periods when he was special Confederate agent to Great Britain in London and an immigration official for Southern expatriates in Mexico.

The 1997 addition consists of Maury papers received by the Library from 1989 to 1996. It primarily contains letters written by Matthew F. Maury to his cousin, Ann Maury, relating his daily activities. Also included are correspondence with other family members, one letter of 1858 to Benjamin Silliman concerning expeditions and packet ships, news clippings (some dating from the mid-twentieth century), and copies of navigational charts.

Description of Series BoxSeries 1-46General Correspondence, 1825-1910, n.d.

Correspondence.

Arranged chronologically in forty-six bound volumes.

 47-51Writings, Addresses, and Lectures, 1856-1872.

Arranged chronologically in five bound volumes.

 52-56Letterbooks, 1859-1891.

Copies of outgoing correspondence.

Arranged chronologically in five bound volumes.

 57-63Miscellany, 1839-1953, n.d.

Account books, diaries, photographs, printed matter, scrapbook, writings, and C. Alphonso Smith papers re Maury.

Arranged alphabetically by type of material.

 64-65Additions, 1834-1960, n.d.

Correspondence and family correspondence, each arranged chronologically. Miscellaneous material including genealogical records and news clippings.

Arranged in two additions.

 OV 1Oversize, 1856-1873, n.d.

Diplomas, awards, and probate papers.

Organized and described according to the series, folders, and boxes from which the items were removed.

 Container List BoxContents GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1825-1910, n.d. 16 Feb. 1825-3 Nov. 1839 26 Nov. 1839-15 July 1843 329 July 1843-13 Feb. 1850 415 Feb. 1850-17 Sept. 1855 518 Sept. 1855-4 Feb. 1856 65 Feb. 1856-25 Feb. 1857 726 Feb. 1857-6 June 1859 87 June 1859-23 Jan. 1860 929 Jan.-21 Oct. 1860 1022 Oct. 1860-21 Jan. 1861 1122 Jan.-4 Feb. 1861 125-22 Feb. 1861 1323 Feb.-6 Apr. 1861 147 Apr.-7 Oct. 1861 158 Oct. 1861-3 May 1862 164 May-17 Sept. 1862 1718 Sept. 1862-20 Apr. 1863 1821 Apr.-2 Nov. 1863 193 Nov. 1863-5 Feb. 1864 206 Feb.-19 Oct. 1864 2120 Oct. 1864-8 June 1865 229 June-20 Aug. 1865 2321 Aug.-1 Dec. 1865 243 Dec. 1865-18 Apr. 1866 2519 Apr. 1866-10 May 1867 2611 May 1867-9 June 1868 2710 June-27 Nov. 1868 2828 Nov. 1868-2 Feb. 1869 293 Feb.-10 Mar. 1869 3011 Mar.-22 Apr. 1869 3123 Apr.-25 June 1869 3226 June-1 Nov. 1869 332 Nov. 1869-17 Jan. 1870 3418 Jan.-29 Apr. 1870 3530 Apr.-4 Aug. 1870 365 Aug. 1870-10 Apr. 1871 3711 Apr.-3 Sept. 1871 389 Sept. 1871-1 Jan. 1872 392 Jan.-27 Mar. 1872 4028 Mar.-10 Aug. 1872 4111 Aug. 1872-3 Jan. 1873 424-30 Jan. 1873 431 Feb.-20 Mar. 1873 4421 Mar.-27 Oct. 1873 4528 Oct. 1873-8 Feb. 1895 4613 Apr. 1895-25 Apr. 1910, n.d. WRITINGS, ADDRESSES, AND LECTURES, 1856-1872 47June 1856-June 1868 48Dec. 1869-Jan. 1871 49May 1871 50May-Dec. 1871 51Jan.-May 1872 LETTERBOOKS, 1859-1891 523 Dec. 1859-18 Jan. 1861 539 Oct. 1868-28 Sept. 1869 5429 Sept.-9 Oct. 1869 554 Apr. 1871-19 Mar. 1872 5612 Apr.-14 Nov. 1872 Fragments, 1891 MISCELLANY, 1839-1953, n.d. 57Account books, 1841-1872 "Children's recollections," 1872-1873, 1928 Coblentz, Catherine Cate, "Naval Lieutenant Matthew Fontaine Maury, First Citizen of the World, 1853-1953, " 1953 58Diaries, 1862-1872 Diplomas and awards, 1854-1856, n.d. See also Oversize Notebooks Electricity, 1864 Virginia, n.d. Photographs, 1872, n.d. Printed matter Booklets and journals 1854-1872 (2 folders) 591873-1904, 1923, n.d. (3 folders) News clippings, ca. 1840-ca. 1900 (1 folder)60(3 folders) 61Probate, 1873 See Oversize Scrapbook, 1839-1873 Smith, Alphonso C., collection Correspondence General, 1864-1868, 1889, n.d. Re Maury, 1864-1867, 1923-1927 News clippings, 1922-1924 Photographs, n.d. 62Writings re Maury, 1903-1924, n.d. (2 folders) Writings by Maury Articles, n.d. Astronomical observations made at the National Observatory, Washington, D.C., 1846-1851 "Astronomy," n.d. 63First Lessons in Geography, 1884 Physical Survey of Virginia, 1869 Published letters and commentary, 1866-1868 Report on the loss of the mail steamer Central America under the command of William Lewis Herndon, 1857, 1884 Speeches, 1859, 1869-1873, n.d. Winds and Currents of the Sea, 1851 Testimonial volume to Maury, 1859 ADDITIONS, 1834-1960, n.d. 641978 Addition, 1858-1878, n.d. Family correspondence Index, n.d. 1858-1878, n.d. (2 folders) Genealogy, n.d. 651997 Addition, 1834-1960, n.d. Correspondence, 1834-1872, n.d. (10 folders) Miscellany, 1857-1873, 1956-1960, n.d. OVERSIZE, 1856-1873, n.d. OV 1Miscellany Diplomas and awards, 1856, n.d. (Container 58) Probate, 1873 (Container 61)