Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Cope (Edward Drinker) Collection
LA.2019.0911
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library
Title: Edward Drinker Cope Collection
Identifier/Call Number: LA.2019.0911
Physical Description:
.25 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1863-1897
Abstract: The Edward Drinker Cope Collection, 1863-1897 consists of booklets, pamphlets and newspaper clippings about paleontologist
Edward D. Cope. The collection also includes Cope's passport, issued in 1863 and used during his travels in Europe between
1863-1864.
Container: 181
Container: Valentien #1
Container: 8
The collection consists of one file containing booklets, pamphlets and newspaper clippings about Edward D. Cope. Among these
biographical publications is an 1897 pamphlet written by Henry Fairfield Osborne, author of the biography, Cope: Master Naturalist,
published in 1931. The collection also contains Cope's U.S. Passport, issued in April, 1863, bearing entry stamps from his
travels in Europe between 1863-1864, and a guidebook of Vienna, inscribed by Cope with his name and the year 1863.
Edward Drinker Cope (1840-1897) was a 19th century scientist, distinguished in several fields. He is most notable, however,
for his contributions to paleontology, zoology, and the comparative anatomy and taxonomy of vertebrate animals. He authored
more than 1300 scientific papers, and he discovered and described over 600 new species.
Cope was born July 28, 1840 to affluent Quaker parents. He attended the University of Pennsylvania for a time in 1861, although
he never graduated. In 1863-1864, during the American Civil War, Cope was sent by his father on a visit to Europe to avoid
being drafted into the conflict. During his travels, he met with many prominent scientists while visiting museums and scientific
societies in France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Austria, Italy and Eastern Europe.
When he returned to Philadelphia in 1864, he taught zoology at Haverford College until 1867. In the late 1860s he began taking
regular trips to the western United States to conduct field research. He was increasingly prolific throughout much of the
1870s, when he spent summers conducting field work and winters writing up his findings. During 1871 field work in Kansas,
Cope was accompanied by fossil-collector Charles Sternberg, who worked with Cope several times in the 1870s. Sternberg later
held the honorary title of Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
In 1884, Cope served as curator of the National Museum in Washington, D.C., and in 1886 Cope returned to teaching at the University
of Pennsylvania, succeeding his former teacher, Dr. Joseph Leidy, as Professor of Zoology in 1889. He also served as the president
of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1896. Cope died in Philadelphia on April 12, 1897, at the age
of 56.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment. Contact the Research Library Director, San Diego Natural History Museum.
Copyright may be reserved. Consult the San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library Director for more information.
[Identification of item], Edward Drinker Cope Collection (LA 2019.0911). Research Library, San Diego Natural History Museum.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Paleontology--West (U.S.)
Scientists--United States--Biography
Passports--United States
United States. Department of State
Cope, E. D., Edward Drinker, 1840-1897
Seward, William H. (William Henry), 1801-1872