Finding Aid for the Edward Drinker Cope Collection, 1863-1897 LA.2019.0911
Finding aid prepared by Sarah Thornton
San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library
9/11/2019
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
library@sdnhm.org
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
Scope and Contents
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.
Biographical / Historical
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.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment. Contact the Research Library Director, San Diego Natural History Museum.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright may be reserved. Consult the San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library Director for more information.
Preferred Citation
[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
Box 181
Publication: "Wegweiser von Wien und vollständiges Häuser-und Strassen-Schema" [Guide to Vienna with house and street directory],
booklet, in German
1863
Scope and Contents
A street directory and guide book for Vienna. Inscribed by Cope with his name and the date, with notations and drawings on
the back cover. Front cover "Edward D Cope / Wien 1863". Includes map of Wien, with drawings and notes on fold out map.
Box 181
Publication: "Addresses in memory of Edward Drinker Cope"
1897
Scope and Contents
"Delivered at the meeting in the hall of the American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia for promoting useful knowledge."
Includes portrait of Cope and a short biography. Addresses by Dr. Theodore Gill, Prof. Henry F. Osborn, and Prof. William
B. Scott.
Box 181
Publication: "Syllabus of Lectures on Geology and Paleontology by E.D. Cope, A.M., Ph.D."
1891
Scope and Contents
Published in Philadelphia by Ferris Brothers. Inscribed "July 8, 1891" on cover, with inscriptions inside front cover.
Box 181
Envelope inscribed: "Notices of Prof. Cope / For Mrs. Gimmel," newspaper clippings
1897
Scope and Contents
Six articles published between April and June of 1897, clipped from the Philadelphia Bulletin, the Philadelphia Press, the
Philadelphia Telegraph, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. The articles discuss Cope's life, death, funeral and his collections.
Box 181
Pamphlet: "Edward D. Cope. 1840-1897. By Henry Fairfield Osborn"
1897
Scope and Contents
Reprinted from Science, May 7, 1897. Biography of Cope with portrait inserts.
Box 181
Pamphlet: "In Memoriam. Edward Drinker Cope."
1897
Scope and Contents
Section on Cope printed in The American Naturalist, May, 1897, pp. 410-419. Includes a biography by J.S. Kingsley, with reproduction
of portrait painted by George W. Pettit and of plaster bust by Eugene Castello.
Box 181
Pamphlet: "Biography of Prof. E.D. Cope"
1884
Scope and Contents
From the Germantown Independent, August 30th, 1884. Biography of Cope, including a portrait. Includes inscriptions by unknown
person.
case Valentien #1, Drawer 8
U.S. Passport: Edward Drinker Cope
1863
Scope and Contents
Issued 2 April, 1863, and signed by Secretary of State William H. Seward. Includes physical description of Cope. With entry
stamps from Genoa, Livorno, Maddalena, Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, Baden-Baden, Berlin, and Salzburg, 1863-1864. Verso is inscribed
with brief scientific or field notes in Cope's handwriting.
