Rosa Smith Eigenmann papers, 1880-1927
A Guide to her Papers at the Indiana University Archives
Processed by Portia Vescio.
Electronic finding aid
encoded by Beth Benda.
Summary Information
Repository
Indiana University Archives
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library E460
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-1127
Email: archives@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives
Creator
Eigenmann, Rosa Smith, 1858-1947.
TitleRosa Smith Eigenmann papers,1880-1927
Collection No.
C59
Extent
.2 cubic feet
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
The Rosa Smith Eigenmann papers comprise
0.2 cubic feet spanning 1880-1927. The collection of the internationally known
ichthyologist includes some of her correspondence, memorabilia, and research.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Advance notice is required.
Biographical Note
Rosa Smith Eigenmann was an internationally known ichthyologist and the first librarian
of the San Diego Society of Natural History. She wrote numerous articles of her studies
and was considered an authority on fish.
Rosa Smith was born in Monmouth, Illinois in 1858. She was invited to study at Indiana
University by David Starr Jordan and was a student from 1880-1882. Through Jordan she
met her future husband, Carl H. Eigenmann and the two married in 1887. Before going to
Harvard to study the Agassiz fish collections, the couple were curators at the
California Academy of Sciences at San Francisco. They also spent much time in South
America collecting and studying fresh water fish. Eigenmann did not let her gender
prevent her from accomplishing anything she set out to do. Some sources indicate she was
the first woman to enter Harvard; the first woman to be the president of the I.U.
chapter of Sigma Xi, an honorary science society; and the first woman to determine a new
species of fish.
Eigenmann died in 1947 after being ill for several months following a series of
operations on her eyes.
Arrangement
Organized in three series: Correspondence, Memorabilia, and Research.
Scope and Content Note
This collection is divided into three series: Correspondence, 1880-1927; Memorabilia,
1880-1886; and Research, 1880.
The Correspondence series is arranged alphabetically and consists mainly of the
correspondence of David Starr Jordan to Rosa Smith Eigenmann about professional and
personal interests. Also included are a letter from Carl H. Eigenmann and several
letters from family and friends.
The Memorabilia series contains items collected by Rosa Smith Eigenmann, including an
invitation to the IU Commencement in 1886.
The Research series contains two short articles written by Rosa Smith Eigenmann and
photographs of fish.
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Indexing Terms
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The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
IUCAT, the IU Libraries' online
catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by searching the
catalog using these terms.
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Separated Material
Photographs transferred to Archives Photograph Collection.
Related Material
For the papers of Rosa's husband, Carl Eigenmann, see IU Archives Collection C63.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Accession 9297.
Usage RestrictionsThe donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University.
For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.
The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for
non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility
for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials.
Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these
materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.
Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational
and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its
inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.
Preferred Citation
[Item], Rosa Smith Eigenmann papers, Collection C59, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Processing InformationProcessed by Portia Vescio.
Completed in 2000.
Series:
Correspondence, 1880-1927
Smithsonian Institution (Goodall Perkins, Sherman Baird),1880-1886
View item(s)
Series:
Memorabilia, 1880-1886
Box 1
Athenian Society Anniversary Invitation, 1881
View item(s)
Pacific Coast Steamship Company, Timetable, 1880
View item(s)
Series:
Research,1880,
undated
"Description of a scaly Blemmy found in algae
lined tide pools, Pacific ocean, San Diego Co., CA,"
March 6, 1880
View item(s)
"On the Occurrence of a Species of Cremnobates at
San Diego, CA,"
April 1880?
View item(s)