Contents

Collection Overview

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents of the Collection

Organization of the Collection

Search Terms

Edward Tuckerman Botanical Papers, 1816-1886

Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by ma.

Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

© 2003

Biographical Note

Edward Tuckerman, eldest son of Edward Tuckerman, a Boston merchant, and Sophia (May) Tuckerman, was born in Boston in 1817. After attending Ingraham's school, Boston Latin, he received his B.A. and M.A. from Union College in 1837 and 1844 respectively and his L.L.B. and A.B. from Harvard University in 1839 and 1847 respectively. Tuckerman married Sarah Eliza Sigourney Cushing in 1854 and in 1855 began a professorship at Amherst College. Tuckerman began his career at Amherst College as a professor of history; three years later he became a professor of botany. Severe hearing loss forced Tuckerman to abandon his classroom work for botanical research. Although no longer a professor, Tuckerman was included in the Amherst College course catalogue until his death in 1886. During the course of his research, Tuckerman became an authority on lichens, discovering the famous ravine in the White Mountains now bearing his name. Tuckerman's scientific findings have been documented in many articles and books.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

Correspondence, notes, pamphlets and specimens documenting Tuckerman's research as a botanist and collector of lichens. Correspondents include William G. Farlow, Charles Frost, Asa Gray, William Nylander, Henry Ravenel, and Charles J. Sprague. Lichenological manuscripts include botanical journals kept by Tuckerman on various expeditions in New England, the Bering Strait, and on the Missouri and Yellowstone exploring expedition.

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Search Terms

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Organization of the Collection

This collection is organized into four series:

• 1. Lichenological Manuscripts
• 2. Correspondence
• 3. Pamphlets
• 4. Lichenological Specimens

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Series 1: Lichenological Manuscripts of Edward Tuckerman

This series consists of Tuckerman's own scientific writings on lichens, including New England botanical journals, 1838-1840, and manuscripts recording botanical observations made in the Bering Strait, ca. 1875, and on the Missouri and Yellowstone exploring expedition, ca. 1880.

Series 2: Correspondence

The bulk of the collection consists of letters from botanists, biologists, and lichenologists. Among the 53 correspondents are these notable figures: William G. Farlow, Charles Frost, Asa Gray, W. Nylander, Henry Ravenel, and Charles J. Sprague. Arranged alphabetically by author and then chronologically within each folder.

Series 3: Pamphlets by or concerning Edward Tuckerman

This series comprises an incomplete compilation of Tuckerman's published writings as well as printed material about Tuckerman. Arranged chronologically.

Series 4: Lichenological Specimens

Lichenological Specimens: Two copies of lichenological specimens Lichenes: Americae Septentrionalis Exsiccati Fascicle V et VI. All materials are a gift of Mrs. Forbes Michie unless otherwise noted.