Charles Lanman's Collected Biographies of 19th-century Ohio Congressmen (SC-21)
Scope and Contents
The collection contains autobiographical letters written in the nineteenth century by United States congressmen from Ohio. Most were written to Charles Lanman in response to Lanman’s request for biographical information to compose his Dictionary of the United States Congress. These letters feature information such as the congressman’s birth date, education, profession, and positions held. Some are written as letters addressed to Lanman, while others respond concisely to Lanman’s request for information. Two other letters are simply samples of letters written by these congressmen. Additionally, the collection contains 1970s photocopies of the letters and information Lanman sent to the congressmen requesting their biographies, as well as photocopies of brief biographies of Lanman himself. Additionally, the collection contains an 1858 calotype photo of congressman Lewis David Campbell.
Dates
- Creation: 1831-1863
Creator
- Lanman, Charles, 1819-1895 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
Charles Lanman (1819-1895) was a writer, artist, and librarian. In the 1850s, he served as the personal secretary of politician Daniel Webster, and later published a biography of Webster in 1852. In the late 1850s, Lanman began researching for a comprehensive biographical dictionary of American congressmen. He sent a form letter to various congressmen, requesting them to respond with basic biographical information including their birth dates, and, essentially, a résumé of their education, profession, and positions held.
Lanman’s dictionary was issued in 1859, and republished in 1868. Though the first edition was published privately, the United States Congress took over publication of the book for its second edition, but the revised edition of the book did not end up selling well. Lanman continued to write, alongside jobs as a librarian and as secretary to the Japanese legation.
According to the U. S. Senate, Lanman’s Dictionary of the United States Congress was the precursor to current biographical dictionaries on members of Congress.
Extent
0.1 linear feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This is a collection of autobiographical letters written from various local Congressmen to Charles Lanman.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by document type. Letters written by congressmen appear first in the collection. These are arranged alphabetically by the congressman’s last name. Next are photocopies of Lanman’s inquiry letter to the congressmen. Third are biographical entries about Lanman. The photograph comes last.
Custodial History
These materials were purchased from Maury A. Bromson Associates, Inc., a Boston-based manuscripts and rare books seller. Bromson was working to connect the letters the congressmen had written Lanman to archival institutions in the regions the congressmen had lived.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials in this collection were purchased by Special Collections and Archives, Wright State University Libraries, from Maury A. Bromson in September 1976.
Bibliography
Processing Information
Letters are contained in mylar sleeves. Though some letters are folded within their sleeves, the entirety of the letter’s text is visible through the sleeve (i.e. the interiors of the letters are blank).
Typed biographical notes by Maury Bromson, previously listed as part of the research collection, were deemed to be outside of the collection’s scope, and were removed to the collection file in April 2021.
Subject
- Lanman, Charles, 1819-1895 -- Sources (Person)
- Allen, William, 1827-1881 (Person)
- Corwin, Moses B. (Moses Bledso), 1790-1872 (Person)
- Harlan, Aaron, 1802-1868 (Person)
- McKinney, John Franklin, 1827-1903 (Person)
- McMahon, John A., 1833-1923 (Person)
- Nichols, Matthias H., 1824-1862 (Person)
- Davis, Lewis -- Photographs (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Charles Lanman's Collected Biographies of 19th-century Ohio Congressmen (SC-21)
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Megan O'Connor
- Date
- 2022 Jan 25
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021 Apr: Megan O'Connor revised and updated finding aid
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Wright State University Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton OH 45435-0001 USA
937-775-2092
library-archives@wright.edu
