Summary
Overview
Barringer, Daniel Moreau, 1860-1928.
1817-1979 (mostly 1900-1979)
57 linear feet, 55 archival boxes, 33 record center cartons, 16 volumes, 1 rolled map
Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
One Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA
Abstract
Consists of over 100 cartons and boxes containing correspondence, legal documents, photographs, printed matter, and other material, which
document both the careers and personal lives of Princeton graduates Daniel Moreau Barringer and his son, Brandon Barringer. Much of the material
about Daniel Moreau Barringer focuses on the Meteor Crater in Arizona, which he spent a large part of his career studying and promoting.
Description
Description
The collection consists of material from Daniel Moreau Barringer (Princeton University Class of 1879) and his son, Brandon Barringer (Princeton
University Class of 1921). Material regarding the careers of the two men includes correspondence, documents, ledgers, photographs, maps, and
printed matter. A large section of the material focuses on the Arizona Meteor Crater, the studying of which Daniel Moreau Barringer devoted much
of his time and career. The collection also contains material relating to Brandon Barringer's careers both in finance and in the Army Air Force
Office of Statistical Control. In addition to providing insight into their careers, the collection documents their personal lives through
correspondence with family and friends, as well as their shared interests in science through organizational and institutional activities.
Collection Creator
Biography
Daniel Moreau Barringer (1860-1928) is perhaps best known for his work with the Meteor Crater in Arizona. After graduating from Princeton University
in 1879 and then from law school at University of Pennsylvania in 1882, Barringer began to study geology and minerology, first at Harvard University
and then at the University of Virginia. In the early 1890s Barringer put his geology and minerology skills to work as he entered the mining
business. It was after his mining career took off that he became aware of the crater in Arizona that would later make him famous. Before Barringer
stepped in, the Meteor Crater was known as "Coon Mountain." Barringer proposed the theory that Coon Mountain was actually caused by the collision of
meteoric material, most likely a small comet, with the earth. After proposing his theory Barringer founded a variety of mining, exploration, and
iron companies in order to further explore the crater, which he studied in depth for a large portion of his remaining career. His theory has proven
to be correct.
Brandon Barringer (1899-1991) led a busy career as an investment advisor and Chartered Financial Analyst, working for many corporations and
institutions. After graduating from Princeton University in 1921, he joined the First Pennsylvania Company for Banking and Trusts, serving as Vice
President for Trust Investments from 1933 to his departure from the company in 1949. He then began a more concentrated association with the Curtis
Publishing Company, publishers of The Saturday Evening Post and other magazines. Barringer worked for Curtis until 1962, having served as a Director
and Treasurer. He also served as President of the Barringer Crater Company and the East Texas Iron Company, in addition to acting as a director of
the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company, Bantam Books, and the New York and Pennsylvania Company. He was a longtime member of the Finance
Committee of the Wellington Fund.
Brandon Barringer was also active in many civic and scientific institutions, often serving as a financial advisor, trustee or manager. These
organizations include the University of Pennsylvania Museum, Jefferson Medical College, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute, the
Nature Conservancy, The National Mental Health Association, the United Fund, and the Meteoritical Society, among others. He participated in
archaeological expeditions to Ireland and Libya, and maintained active interests in such subjects as economics, politics, geology, meteoritics, and
anthropology.
Collection History
Acquisition
The Daniel Moreau Barringer material was given by Brandon Barringer over a number of years, 1961-1973.
The Brandon Barringer material was given by the University of Wyoming in 2008.
Other accessions have been added to this collection over the years.
Processing Information
For the most part, the collection is arranged as it was received: unprocessed. The finding aid was written by Christine
Call in December 2008.
Bibliography
The Barringer Meteorite Crater website was consulted
during preparation of the biographical notes.
Access and Use
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research use.
Access Restrictions
Please consult with Rare Books and Special Collections about having the collection recalled to Firestone Library for your use. This process
normally requires 48-72 hours notice.
Use Restrictions
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when
Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate
University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection
and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Preferred Citation
Barringer Family Papers; 1817-1979 (mostly 1900-1979), Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
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