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Henry Harrisse Correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 0489

Scope and Content

The Henry Harrisse Correspondence primarily consists of letters and postcards from Henry Harrisse to Italian bookseller Ildebrando Rossi regarding maps and documents concerning early American history and exploration. The correspondence dates from 1884 to 1889 and is written primarily in French. There is also a folder containing handwritten summaries of the contents of the letters written in English. These were likely written after the collection was acquired at the University of Florida. Additionally, a printout of an article appearing in La Bibliofilía (1926) has been included. The article includes French transcriptions of some of the letters found in this collection and a brief biography of Ildebrando Rossi written in Italian.

Dates

  • Creation: 1884 - 1899

Creator

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Henry Harrisse was born in Paris on May 28, 1829. He came to the United States in the 1840s and taught at the University of South Carolina. He then became a professor of French at the University of North Carolina and began to study law. In 1857 he moved to Chicago to practice law and later moved to New York. While in New York, he met Samuel Barlow, the eminent attorney and Americana bibliophile, who stimulated his interest in the period of American discovery.

Harrisse’s

Extent

.21 Linear Feet (1 Box and 1 oversize folder)

Language of Materials

French

Abstract

Letters and postcards from French-American Historian Henry Harrisse to Italian bookseller Ildebrando Rossi regarding maps and documents concerning early American history and exploration. The correspondence dates from 1884 to 1899 and is written primarily in French.

Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Title
A Guide to the Henry Harrisse Correspondence
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Matt Kruse
Date
November 2018
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755