Henry Carvill Lewis papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0223

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

The Henry Carvill Lewis papers consist of sixty-seven items which mark a small period of the life and work of Lewis. The papers date fromm 1885 to 1900, with the bulk of papers dating from 1885 to 1900.

Most of the papers are canceled checks written by Lewis between 1885 and 1886 for a variety of services and cash, or bills and receipts for services. The majority of the bills are for personal goods or services received from florists, book dealers, photographers, hotels, and magazine publishers. Several Philadelphia tax bills and a citation from the Philadelphia Department for Public Works, specifying the need for sidewalk and curb repairs at a High Street residence owned by the Lewis family, complete the section of bills.

The remainder of the collection includes one letter to Henry Carvill Lewis from John Frederick Lewis, with an enclosed statement of income; a letter from an unidentified individual written to William Bullock Clark; a copy of a legal document regarding the estate of Lewis; and a reprint of the Popular Science Monthly article, “Sketch of Henry Carvill Lewis.”

Dates

Creation: 1885–1900
Creation: Majority of material found within 1885–1888

Creator

Lewis, Henry Carvill, 1853-1888 (Person)

Language of Materials

Materials entirely in English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, http://www.lib.udel.edu/cgi-bin/askspec.cgi

Biographical Note

Henry Carvill Lewis was a geologist and educator and member of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Henry Carvill Lewis was born on November 16, 1853, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of F. Mortimer Lewis. As a child he displayed an interest in natural science and scientific research. His father cultivated that interest by providing him with a laboratory in which to experiment. Henry Carvill Lewis was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with the highest honors in 1873. Having pursued classical studies as an undergraduate, his three years of post-graduate study were devoted to natural sciences. Following his post-graduate work, Lewis divided his time between work in the fields of geology and astronomy.

In 1879 Lewis joined the Geological Survey of Pennsylvania as a volunteer. His work for the Geological Survey included investigating the surface geology of Southern Pennsylvania, with particular attention to glacial evidence. He served with the Geological Survey through 1884. Lewis was elected Professor of Mineralogy in the Academy of Natural Sciences (Pennsylvania) in 1880 and as a Professor of Geology at Haverford College in 1883. He held both posts until the time of his death. Between 1885 and 1887, Lewis traveled to Europe to conduct petrologic studies, working during the winters in Heidelberg, Germany, and in the summers in England, Wales, Ireland, Switzerland, and Norway. The focus of these studies was European glacial deposits.

Henry Carvill Lewis died on July 21, 1888, in Manchester, England, having contracted typhoid fever on the voyage to England. He was survived by his wife and a daughter.

“Sketch of Henry Carvill Lewis,” reprint from Popular Science Monthly (1889 July).

Extent

.3 linear foot (67 items)

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains materials belonging to American geologist and educator Henry Carvill Lewis (1853–1888). Most of the papers are canceled checks written by Lewis between 1885 and 1886 for a variety of services and cash, or bills and receipts for services.