Harris, Townsend, 1804-1878

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Harris was born Oct. 3, 1804 in Sandy Hill, NY; at age 13 started work at a dry goods store in NYC; joined his father and brother in business importing china; elected as a Democrat to the Board of Education in 1846, where he successfully led the fight for a free college which later became the College of the City of New York; purchased a trading ship, sailed to California, and undertook voyages in the Pacific and Indian Oceans which ended in financial disaster; in 1855 he was appointed US Consul General to Japan; negotiated commercial treaties with Siam in 1857 and Japan in 1858; after the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, he resigned, returned to NYC, became a War Democrat, and joined the Union League Club; spent his remaining years concerned with temperance, Christian missions, and foreign affairs; he died on Feb. 25, 1878.

From the description of Papers, 1855-1892. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 39287188

Harris was a merchant, educator, politician, diplomat, and first U.S. Consul General to Japan (1855-1862). As President of the Board of Education of New York City, he was instrumental in obtaining the legislation and charter for the Free Academy of New York (later the City College of New York).

From the description of [Letters and papers of Townsend Harris]. 1855-1890, 1855-1862. (City College / CUNY). WorldCat record id: 19580394

Harris was President of the New York City Board of Education, 1846-1848, and Consul General to Japan, 1855-1861.

From the description of Papers, 1856-1978, 1885-1962 (bulk) (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155502840

Biography

Harris was born October 3, 1804 in Sandy Hill, New York; at age 13 started work at a dry goods store in New York City; joined his father and brother in business importing china; elected as a Democrat to the Board of Education in 1846, where he successfully led the fight for a free college which later became the College of the City of New York; purchased a trading ship, sailed to California, and undertook voyages in the Pacific and Indian Oceans which ended in financial disaster; in 1855 he was appointed U.S. Consul General to Japan; negotiated commercial treaties with Siam in 1857 and Japan in 1858; after the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, he resigned, returned to New York City, became a War Democrat, and joined the Union League Club; spent his remaining years concerned with temperance, Christian missions, and foreign affairs; he died on February 25, 1878.

From the guide to the Townsend Harris Papers, 1855-1892, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Papers, [ca. 1920]-1966. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Harris, Townsend, 1804-1878. [Letters and papers of Townsend Harris]. 1855-1890, 1855-1862. City College / CUNY
creatorOf Townsend Harris Papers, 1855-1892 University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
referencedIn 880-01 ["Shimoda monogatari" kankei shiryō = Research materials relating to the "Shimoda story" by Oliver Statler]. Princeton University, East Asian Library
referencedIn Morris, Roland S. (Roland Sletor), 1874-1945. Roland S. Morris papers, 1856-1988 (bulk 1915-1929) Princeton University Library
referencedIn General Records of the Department of State. 1763 - 2002. Notes from Japan Regarding the Treaty of Yedo National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Harris, Townsend, 1804-1878. 880-01 [Beikoku Gikai Toshokan Sakanishi shiryō. Unpublished letters of Townsend Harris (draft)]. Library of Congress, RCCD CJK
referencedIn Thomas Allibone and Catherine Ann Drinker Janvier papers, 1856-1908 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Janvier, Thomas A. (Thomas Allibone), 1849-1913. Thomas Allibone and Catherine Ann Drinker Janvier papers, 1856-1908. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Harris, Townsend, 1804-1878. Papers, 1855-1892. University of California, Los Angeles
creatorOf Papers, 1856-1978, 1885-1962 (bulk) New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Hall, Francis, 1822-1881. [Journal commenced at Kanagawa, Japan, Nov. 1, 1859 ...]. Cleveland Public Library, Main Library
referencedIn Japanese manuscript collection 1832-1861 Japanese manuscript William L. Clements Library
creatorOf de la Corte, Don Felipe,. Correspondence on the U.S.S. Fenimore Cooper's surveying expedition, 1852-1860. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Alcock, Rutherford, Sir, 1809-1897. person
associatedWith Bowring, John, 1792-1872. person
associatedWith Bridgman, E. C. (Elijah Coleman), 1801-1861. person
associatedWith Cass, Lewis, 1782-1866. person
associatedWith Cosenza, Mario Emilio, 1880-1966. person
associatedWith Donker Curtius, Jan Hendrick. person
associatedWith Dorr, Eben May. person
associatedWith Drinker, Sandwith. person
associatedWith Hall, Francis, 1822-1881. person
associatedWith Heusken, Henry C. J. person
associatedWith Janvier, Catharine A. (Catharine Ann), 1841-1923. person
associatedWith Janvier, Thomas A. (Thomas Allibone), 1849-1913. person
associatedWith Japanese Manuscript Collection (early Shōwa era) (Library of Congress) corporateBody
associatedWith Marcy, William L. (William Learned), 1787-1857. person
associatedWith Masahiro, Abe Ise-No-Kami. person
associatedWith Masayoshi, Hotta-Bitchu-No-Kami. person
associatedWith Morris, Roland S. (Roland Sletor), 1874-1945. person
associatedWith Rice, E. E. (Elisha E.) person
associatedWith Sakanishi, Shiho, 1896-1976. person
associatedWith Tadakata, Matsudaira Iga-No-Kami. person
associatedWith Tattnall, Josiah. person
associatedWith United States. Consulate (Japan) corporateBody
associatedWith Walsh, John G. person
associatedWith William L. Clements Library corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Japan
United States
Japan--Shimoda
Japan
United States
Japan
United States
United States
Subject
Consuls
Consuls
Consuls
Diplomatic and consular service, American
Diplomatic and consular service, American
Memorials
Townsend Harris Memorial (Shimoda, Japan)
Occupation
Diplomats
Educators
Activity

Person

Birth 1804-10-04

Death 1878-02-25

Americans

English,

Japanese

Information

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