Collection ID: 12916473 X92 An
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Anderson, Alexander, 1775-1870
Extent:
0.42 linear feet and 3 volumes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Alexander Anderson Diary; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Background

Scope and Content:

Anderson's connections to Columbia are many. He received an M.D. from Columbia's College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1796, engraved Columbia's commencement ticket in 1794, and a bookplate for the College Library. As noted in his diary, he began sketching the design for the bookplate on March 14, 1795, delivered the finished work to President Johnson on March 25th, and was, after some effort on his part, paid £2, 8s on May 7th.

Biographical / Historical:

Alexander Anderson has long been considered the father of wood engraving in America, being the first in this country to adopt the technique developed in England by Thomas Bewick. Wood engraving produces a finer image than the standard woodcut by working on the denser end-grain section of the wood. Anderson acknowledged his debt to Bewick in 1804 by creating an American edition of Bewick's A General History of Quadrupeds (1790) with his own re-engraved blocks, adding "some American animals not hitherto described.".

Acquisition information:
Transfer from the John B. Pine Papers #3001F by BRC Letters from 1911/1912 in the Collection File
Processing information:

Local identifier (call number) changed from MS#1861 to X92 An. kws 2022-12-13

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Alexander Anderson Diary; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th St.
New York, NY 10027, United States
Link to repository site
CONTACT:
(212) 854-5590
rbml@library.columbia.edu