Table of Contents
- Collection Summary
- Biographical Note
- Scope and Content Note
- Subject Headings
- Related Material
- Administrative Information
- Access and Use
- Encoding Information
- Series List
- Container List
Collection Summary
Repository: | Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries |
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Creator: | Lossing, Benson J. (Benson John), 1813-1891 |
Title: | Benson J. Lossing Papers |
Dates: | 1861-1891 |
Quantity: | 2 cubic feet (8 boxes) |
Abstract: | Correspondence concerning Vassar College activities, speeches, and engagements with Lyman Abbott, Nathan Bishop, Stephan M. Buckingham, Charles S. Farrar, Milo P. Jewett, Maria Mitchell, John H. Raymond, Lucy M. Salmon, James Monroe Taylor, Matthew Vassar, and Henry Van Ingen, with some family correspondence. Other items include his notes from a trip to Washington, D.C. in 1861, and miscellaneous programs. |
Biographical Note
Benson John Lossing, LL.D. (1813-1891) was born and raised in Dutchess County, New York. A prominent engraver, illustrator, and historian, Lossing became one of the original trustees of Vassar College in 1861. He was an active member of the Board of Trustees until his death in 1891, taking stands on such issues as the incorporation of the word "Female" in Vassar Female College. His historical works include The Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution, The American Centenary, and Vassar College and Its Founder. Lossing made most of the engravings in his various works himself, although in later years he was assisted by his daughter, Helen Lossing. Lossing was married twice, first to Alice Barritt, niece of his former employer and partner; and then to Helen Sweet, who died in 1912.
Source: Paine, Nathaniel. A Biographical Notice of Benson John Lossing, LL.D.. Worcester, MA: Worcester Society of Antiquity, 1892.
TopScope and Content Note
The Lossing Papers consist mainly of correspondence, sketches by Lossing, and memorabilia. The correspondence is divided into three sections, including correspondence regarding Vassar College and correspondence to others and from others. The bulk of the collection was purchased by Vassar College in 1948 from H. Armour Smith of the Hudson River Museum of Yonkers. Additional items from Lossing's estate were donated by Richard Chamberlain in 1976.
TopAccess and Use
Access
This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional restrictions.
Restrictions on Use
Permission to quote (publish) from unpublished or previously published material must be obtained as described in the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library.
Related Material
- James Monroe Taylor Papers
- Separated Materials: Letters from the Benson J. Lossing Papers were removed from the collection during the in the 1980s. Four letters from Benson Lossing to John Howard Raymond and one letter to his wife, Cornelia E. Raymond were moved to the John Howard Raymond Papers (Box 4). One letter to Cornelia Morse Raymond were moved to the Cornelia Morse Raymond Papers (Box 1). Two letters to James Monroe Taylor were moved to the James Monroe Taylor Papers (Box 7). Two letters to Cyrus Swan may have been moved as well but the collection is unprocessed and the letters are not easily identified.
Subject Headings
Names:
- Abbott, Lyman, 1835-1922
- Bishop, Nathan, 1808-1880
- Buckingham, Stephen M.
- Farrar, Charles S. (Charles Samuel), 1826-1903
- Jewett, Milo P.
- Lossing family
- Mitchell, Maria, 1818-1889
- Raymond, John H. (John Howard), 1814-1878
- Salmon, Lucy Maynard, 1853-1927
- Taylor, James Monroe, 1848-1916
- Van Ingen, Henry
- Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Organizations:
- Vassar College
Subjects:
- Authors
- Editors
- Family--New York (State)
- Women's colleges--New York (State)--Poughkeepsie
- Women--Education
- Wood-engraving
Places:
- Washington (D.C.)--Description
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Benson J. Lossing Papers, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.
Processing Information
Original processing date unknown. Guide created Febrary 1997. Updated by Elizabeth Clarke, April 2007. Updated by Laura Streett, October 2014.
Acquisition Information
Purchased from H. Armour Smith in 1948. Other materials donated by Richard Chamberlain in 1976.
Runge note donated in 2001(M2014-014).
Greenleaf correspondence purchased in 2009 (M2009-007).
Series List
Series I. Correspondence (Boxes 1-3) |
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Series II. Correspondence Regarding Vassar College (Box 4) |
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Series III. Correspondence to Others from Others (Box 4) |
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Series IV. Vassar College Board of Trustees (Box 4) |
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Series V. Manuscripts and Notes by Benson Lossing (Box 5) |
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Series VI. Sketches by Benson Lossing (Boxes 5 and 8) |
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Series VII. Photographs (Boxes 6 and 8) |
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Series VIII. Memorabilia (Boxes 6-8) |
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Container List
Return to the Table of Contents
Details
Correspondence concerning Vassar College activities, speeches, and engagements with Lyman Abbott, Nathan Bishop, Stephan M. Buckingham, Charles S. Farrar, Milo P. Jewett, Maria Mitchell, John H. Raymond, Lucy M. Salmon, James Monroe Taylor, Matthew Vassar, and Henry Van Ingen, with some family correspondence. Other items include his notes from a trip to Washington, D.C. in 1861, and miscellaneous programs.