Guide to Samuel F.B. Morse Papers MC 10
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY, 10012
(212) 998-2641
university-archives@nyu.edu
New York University Archives
Collection processed by Bayrd Still and Tom Frusciano. Electronic version prepared by Jackie Rider.
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit on January 26, 2011
Descriptive Summary
| Creator: | Still, Bayrd |
|---|---|
| Title: | Samuel F.B. Morse Papers |
| Dates [inclusive]: | 1838-1984, undated |
| Quantity: | 0.5 linear feet |
| Location: | New York University Archives |
| Call Phrase: | MC 10 |
Biographical/Historical note
Samuel F.B. Morse was born in Charlestown, Mass., April 27, 1791. He began his association with the University of the City of New York (now New York University) at age 41. By this time he had an established reputation as an artist. Morse founded the National Academy of Design and presided over it since its inception in 1826. He lectured widely on art from 1826 to 1829. Morse left for Europe in 1829 and returned to New York in October, 1832. Within days he was appointed Chair of Sculpture and Painting at the University.
When the University Building on Washington Square opened in 1835, Morse rented space there for lodgings and to house a studio and laboratory for his experiments in photography and telegraphy. Morse left the University Building in 1841 but continued his association as professor of fine arts until his retirement in 1871. Although Morse's connection with the University has been described as "nominal," he maintained close contact with certain faculty members and emphasized his professorial connection. He died April 2, 1872, in New York.
Scope and Contents
The Samuel F.B. Morse Collection contains inventories of letters from and about Morse; biographical summaries; papers relating to his career as an artist; his association with the University of the City of New York (now New York University); the invention of the telegraph and exhibitions thereof; and his experiments with photography. The collection also includes information on his will and his funeral; the Morse Plaque, which was placed on Main Building at NYU; the centennial celebration of his invention of the telegraph in 1944; the Morse Medal; and information concerning the Morse Telegraph Club, Inc.
The collection comprises one document box of material that serves as the primary reference file for the Archives staff on Morse. Additional material on Morse in the New York University Archives consists of nine letters in the Chancellors' Records, 1827-1885 (RG 3.0.1), newspaper reports on an address to the University alumni in 1853, and monographs about Morse.
The Samuel F.B. Morse Collection includes an essay on Morse and his association with New York University by Gary Reynolds, former curator of the Grey Art Gallery at NYU, that appeared in the catalog prepared for the Samuel F.B. Morse exhibition at New York University, September 14 to October 23, 1982; a folder listing of the Morse Collection; and a bibliography of works on Morse in the New York University Archives.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged at the folder level by subject.
Access Points
Subject Names
- Jones, Theodore Francis, 1885-
- Morse, Edward L.
- Morse, Herbert C.
- Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872
- Nally, Edward Julian, 1859-1953
Document Type
- Biographies.
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Memorabilia.
- photoprints.
Subject Organizations
- Morse Society.
- National Academy of Design (U.S.).
- New York University. Dept. of Fine Arts. Sculpture and Painting..
- New York University. Faculty. 19th century.
- NewYork University. School of Design..
- University of the City of New York.
Subject Topics
- Art -- Study and teaching.
- Education -x Study and Teaching -- United States.
- Inventions
- Photography.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research without restrictions.
Preferred Citation
Publishes citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known), Samuel F.B. Morse Papers; MC 10, box number, folder number, New York University Archives, New York University Libraries.
Separated Materials
NYU's Fales Library contains 24 letters written by Morse between 1822 and 1870 (see Folder 1 of Morse Collection for inventory).
Container List
Inventory
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| Container 1 | Container 2 | Title | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box: 1 | Folder : 1 | Inventories of Morse letters and paintings at NYU |
1972-1983 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 2 | Biographical summaries and notes |
1901-1972 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 3 | Morse as artist |
1932-1984 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 4 | Morse's association with the University of the City of New York (now New York University) |
1838-1984 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 5 | Invention of the telegraph and exhibitions thereof |
1838-1965 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 6 | Morse's experiments with photography |
1840-1980 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 7 | Will and report of funeral--
New York Times clipping |
1872 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 8 | Morse family: letter, Edward L. Morse to Miss [?] Solomons |
1903 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 9 | Morse Chair of Fine Arts at NYU: miseellaneous notes and Council minutes (excerpts) |
1932-1935, 1983 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 10 | Morse Plaque or "tablet" on Main Building at NYU |
1932-1935, 1983 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 11 | Proposal of Morse celebration |
1936 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 12 | E.J. Nally collection of Morse memorabilia |
1941 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 13 | Centennial celebration of 1844 demonstration of telegraph, May 14, 1944 |
1944 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 14 | Correspondence of Theodore F. Jones (historian of NYU) re Morse |
1929-1946 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 15 | Samuel F.B. Morse Medal |
undated | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 16 | Morse Telegraph Club, Inc. |
1942-1982 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 17 | Locust Grove: Young-Morse historic site |
1982 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 18 | Morse Society: correspondence with Herbert C Morse II |
1983 | |
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