John Maclean Letters and Papers 1750-1890

Summary

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Overview

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Abstract

Consists of nine letters by John Maclean, Princeton's first professor of chemistry, as well as a manuscript containing biographical details of Maclean's life.

Description

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Description

The collection consists of nine letters by Maclean, as well as a manuscript containing biographical details of Maclean's life and an extract of a letter of introduction by Dr. Miller of Glasgow to Dr. Caspar Wistar of Philadelphia on Maclean's behalf. Recipients of the letters are Benjamin Silliman (6), the first lecturer at Yale in chemistry for whom Maclean served as mentor in the teaching of chemistry, Samuel Stanhope Smith (1) and Ashbel Green (1), the seventh and eighth presidents of Princeton, and Major B. Walker (1). The letter to Ashbel Green concerns the student rebellion and suspensions in 1807. Also present is correspondence between John Grier Hibben and Mrs. Henry Fairfield Osborn about the collection.

Collection Creator Biography

Born in Scotland and educated to become a surgeon like his father, Maclean came to this country in 1795 and, on the advice of Benjamin Rush, established himself in Princeton in the practice of "physic" and surgery. In October of that year, he was appointed Princeton's first professor of chemistry. His eldest son became the University's tenth president in 1854.

Collection History

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Acquisition

Gift of Archie L. McNeal and J.A. Farrington.

Custodial History

This collection was formed as a result of a departmental practice of combining into one collection manuscript material of various accessions relating to a particular author.

Processing Information

Folder inventory added by Nicholas Williams '2015 in 2012.

Access and Use

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Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research use.

One oversized folder is stored in an oversized box containing oversized material from other collections as well.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

John Maclean Letters and Papers; 1750-1890, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Find More

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Topics

• American history
• Princeton University

Subject Terms

• Chemistry
• Faculty
• New Jersey
• Presidents
• Princeton
• Princeton University
• Student suspension
• Study and teaching

Related Material

Other Princeton material related to Maclean is housed at the University's Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library.

Contents and Arrangement

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Request Checked Items

	Title	Date	Container
	Letter from John Maclean to Ashbel Green Regarding Student Rebellion	1807	Box 1, Folder 1
	Letters from John Maclean to Benjamin Silliman	1803-1811	Box 1, Folder 2
	Letter from John Maclean to Samuel Smith	1801	Box 1, Folder 3
	Letter from John Maclean to Benjamin Walker	1812	Box 1, Folder 4
	Letter from John Maclean to Joshua Wallace (Photostat)	1809	Box 1, Folder 5
	Extract of a Letter from Dr. Miller to Caspar Wistar, Introducing John Maclean	1795	Box 1, Folder 6
	Biographical Notes About John Maclean	Undated	Box 1, Folder 7
	Diploma for Princeton Theological Seminary for John Maclean, Jr. and Unidentified Paper	1870	Oversize 1