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Collection Overview

Creator:
Barringer, Daniel Moreau, 1860-1928
Title:
Barringer Family Papers
Repository:
Manuscripts Division
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/2z10wq28b
Dates:
1817-1979 (mostly 1900-1979)
Size:
113 boxes and 1 folder
Storage Note:
ReCAP (scarcpxm): Boxes 1-2; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.6; 1.7; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; 1.11; 1.12; 1.13; 1.14; 1.15; 1.16; 1.17; 1.18; 1.19; 1.20; 1.21; 1.22; 1.23; 1.23a; 1.24; 1.25; 1.26; 1.27; 1.28; 1.29; 1.30; 1.31; 1.32; 1.33; 1.34; 1.35; 1.36; 1.37; 1.38; 1.39; 1.40; 1.41; 1.42; 1.43; 1.44; 1.45; 1.46; 1.47; 1.48; 1.49; 1.50; 1.51; 1.52; 1.53; 1.54; 1.55; 1.56; 1.57; 1.58; 1.59; 1.60; 1.61; 1.62; 1.63; 1.64; 1.65; 1.66; 1.67; 1.68; 1.69; 1.70; 1.71; 1.72; 1.73; 1.74; 1.75; 1.76; 1.77; 1.78; 1.79; 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5; 2.6; 2.7; 2.8; 2.9; 2.10; 2.11; 2.12; 2.13; 2.14; 2.15; 2.16; 2.17; 2.18; 2.19; 2.20; 2.21; 2.22; 2.23; 2.24; 2.25; 2.26; 2.27; 2.28; 2.29; 2.30; 2.31; 2.32; 2.33
Language:
English

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.

Collection Description & Creator Information

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:

Barringer, Daniel Moreau, 1860-1928

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.

Appraisal

No appraisal information is available.

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.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

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:

Barringer Family Papers; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/2z10wq28b
Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
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Storage Note:
ReCAP (scarcpxm): Boxes 1-2; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.6; 1.7; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; 1.11; 1.12; 1.13; 1.14; 1.15; 1.16; 1.17; 1.18; 1.19; 1.20; 1.21; 1.22; 1.23; 1.23a; 1.24; 1.25; 1.26; 1.27; 1.28; 1.29; 1.30; 1.31; 1.32; 1.33; 1.34; 1.35; 1.36; 1.37; 1.38; 1.39; 1.40; 1.41; 1.42; 1.43; 1.44; 1.45; 1.46; 1.47; 1.48; 1.49; 1.50; 1.51; 1.52; 1.53; 1.54; 1.55; 1.56; 1.57; 1.58; 1.59; 1.60; 1.61; 1.62; 1.63; 1.64; 1.65; 1.66; 1.67; 1.68; 1.69; 1.70; 1.71; 1.72; 1.73; 1.74; 1.75; 1.76; 1.77; 1.78; 1.79; 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5; 2.6; 2.7; 2.8; 2.9; 2.10; 2.11; 2.12; 2.13; 2.14; 2.15; 2.16; 2.17; 2.18; 2.19; 2.20; 2.21; 2.22; 2.23; 2.24; 2.25; 2.26; 2.27; 2.28; 2.29; 2.30; 2.31; 2.32; 2.33