- Collection Overview
- Collection Description & Creator Information
- Access & Use
- Collection History
- Find Related Materials
Expanded View
Collection Overview
- Creator:
- Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931
- Collector:
- Princeton University. Library. Special Collections
- Title:
- Thomas A. Edison Collection
- Repository:
- Manuscripts Division
- Permanent URL:
- http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/jm214p14g
- Dates:
- 1880-1925
- Size:
- 1 box and 0.2 linear feet
- Storage Note:
- Firestone Library (mss): Box 1
- Language:
- English
Abstract
Consists primarily of correspondence, both original and photocopies, of Thomas A. Edison, the most influential American inventor of the twentieth century.
Collection Description & Creator Information
- Description:
The collection consists primarily of correspondence, both original and photocopies, of Edison. Correspondents include Pierre F. Cook, John G. Hibben, N. H. Holland, Robert Mountsier, and Gaston Tissandier. There is also an undated photograph of his laboratory.
- Arrangement
Arranged by accession number.
- Collection Creator Biography:
Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931
Thomas Alva Edison profoundly influenced modern life through such inventions as the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera. He was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production to the process of invention. During his lifetime, he acquired a record 1,093 patents; most of these inventions, however, were not completely original but, rather, improvements of earlier patents and works of his numerous employees. Edison also founded the journal Science, which in 1900 became the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences.
Collection History
- Acquisition:
Edison's correspondence with N. H. Holland (and related material) was a gift of William Morris. Various AM.
- Custodial History
The collection was formed as a result of a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.
- Appraisal
No appraisal information is available.
- Processing Information
Finding aid written by James Flannery on February 7, 2006. Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager '2015 in 2012.
Access & Use
- Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
- Conditions Governing Use
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. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
- Credit this material:
Thomas A. Edison Collection; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library
- Permanent URL:
- http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/jm214p14g
- Location:
-
Firestone LibraryOne Washington RoadPrinceton, NJ 08544, USA
- Storage Note:
- Firestone Library (mss): Box 1
Find More
- Subject Terms:
- Inventors--United States--Correspondence.
- Genre Terms:
- Correspondence -- 20th century
