Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910

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Civil engineer and aviation pioneer.

From the description of Octave Chanute papers, 1807-1955 (bulk 1860-1910). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70980023

A native of Paris, Chanute emigrated from France to the U.S. with his parents in 1838. He worked as an engineer, primarily in constructing railroads and railroad bridges, but is best remembered as a pioneer in aerial navigation and glider flight, and wrote two influential books on flight.

From the description of Papers, 1904. (Indiana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 38266082

American civil engineer and noted aerial navigator. Pioneer in the engineering problems of flight.

From the description of Letter, 1892. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122608774

Biographical Note

  • 1832, Feb. 18: Born, Paris, France
  • 1838: Immigrated with parents to the United States
  • 1849: Began training as a railroad civil engineer
  • 1853 - 1863 : Civil engineer, various Western railroads
  • 1857: Married Annie James
  • 1863 - 1867 : Chief engineer, Chicago & Alton Railroad
  • 1867 - 1868 : Planned and superintended construction of the first bridge across the Missouri River
  • 1867 - 1873 : Chief engineer of several railroads in Kansas
  • 1873 - 1883 : Chief engineer, Erie Railroad; consultant on construction of iron railroad bridges
  • 1889: Began study of aerodynamic theory
  • 1893: President, Chicago Tie Preserving Co.
  • 1894: Published Progress in Flying Machines (New York: The American Engineer and Railroad Journal. 308 pp.)
  • 1896 - 1897 : Experimented with gliders and designed biplane glider of exceptional stability
  • 1901: Visited camp of Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, N.C., to observe and assist in glider experiments
  • 1910, Nov. 23: Died, Chicago, Ill.

From the guide to the Octave Chanute Papers, 1807-1955, (bulk 1860-1910), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Lilienthal, Otto. Clippings and Photographs on the Lilienthal Flyer, 1893-1900 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Chanute, Octave. Letters, 1880-1898 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Phillips, Horatio. Letter : West Barnham, Sussex, to Octave Chanute, 1909 Aug. 25. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Herring, Augustus Moore, 1867-1926. Research notes concerning Augustus Moore Herring, [ca. 1964]. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright Papers, 1809-1979, (bulk 1900-1948) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Lamson, Charles Henry, 1847-1896. C.H. Lamson's experiments on kite flying : scrapbook, 1896-1898. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Obermayer, Albert, Concerning the Effect of the Wind Upon Slightly Arched Surfaces, 1896-1897 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Delaurier, E.T. Aérien et moteur à feu : description et dessins. Scrapbook, 1892-1893 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Philips, Horatio. Letter to Octave Chanute, August 25, 1909 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Obermayer, Albert, b. 1844. Concerning the effect of the wind upon slightly arched surfaces : manuscript, 1896-1897. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Chanute, Octave. Clippings on Aeronautics, 1878-1923 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Octave Chanute Papers, 1807-1955, (bulk 1860-1910) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Abbott Lawrence Rotch papers, 1876?-1912. Houghton Library
referencedIn Delaurier, E. T. Aérien et moteur à feu : description et dessins : scrapbook, 1892-1893. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Chanute, Octave. Collected Papers on Civil Engineering and Aeronautics, 1874-1910 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Lilienthal, Otto, 1848-1896. Clippings and photographs on the Lilienthal flyer : scrapbook, 1893-1900. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Kress, Wilhelm. The Aeroplane and its Stability During Flight, 1895 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Kress, Wilhelm, 1836-1913. The aeroplane and its stability during flight : manuscript, 1895 / by W. Kress. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Letters and photographs, 1880-1898. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Phillips, Horatio. Letter : West Barnham, Sussex, to Octave Chanute, 1909 Aug. 25. Texas Christian University
referencedIn Huffaker, Edward C. Experiments with Gliding Models Conducted by E.C. Huffaker for Mr. O. Chanute, C.E, 1899 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Mouillard-Chanute letters (in French), 1890-1897. Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Correspondence of Octave Chanute, 1888-1910. Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
referencedIn Jervis, John B. (John Bloomfield), 1795-1885. The Croton Aqueduct : newspaper clipping, [187-]. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910,. Godfrey Lowell Cabot photographs, ca. 1878-1962. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Koch, Gustav. Papers on Aerial Navigation, 1894-1897 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Correspondence of Octave Chanute, letters to Wilbur and Orville Wright, 1900-1910. Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
referencedIn Huffaker, E. C. Experiments with gliding models conducted by E.C. Huffaker for Mr. O. Chanute, C.E. : holograph, 1899. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Balloons in the recent war : manuscript, [ca. 1899]. Texas Christian University
referencedIn Chalmers, Charles H. The helicopter : typescripts, 1908. Texas Christian University
referencedIn Langley, S. P. (Samuel Pierpont), 1834-1906. The Langley Aerodrome : scrapbook : 1891-1906. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Moedebeck, Hermann W. L. (Hermann Wilhelm Ludwig), 1857-1910. Papers on aeronautics : scrapbook, 1895-1897. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Pearl Young's research papers on Octave Chanute, Louis P. Mouillard and early aviators 1903-1979. Denver Public Library, Central Library
referencedIn Louis-Pierre Mouillard Papers, 1833-1987, (bulk 1870-1916) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Institute of Aerospace Sciences Archives, 1783-1962 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Moedebeck, Hermann W. L. (Hermann Wilhelm Ludwig), 1857-1897. Papers on aeronautics, manuscript, 1885-1910. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Elizabeth Hiatt Gregory Collection of Material About American Aviation, 1900-1945 University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
referencedIn Huffaker, Edward C. The kite : its mechanism and equilibrium : manuscript, 1896. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Huffaker, Edward C. The kite : its mechanism and equilibrium : manuscript, 1896. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Collected papers on civil engineering and aeronautics, 1874-1910. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Koch, Gustav, b. 1843. Papers on aerial navigation : manuscript, 1894-1897. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Chalmers, Charles H. The Helicopter, 1908, Crerar Ms 165 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Chalmers, Charles H. The helicopter : typescripts, 1908. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910,. Clippings on aeronautics : scrapbook, 1878-1923. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Abbott Lawrence Rotch Papers, 1896-1912, (bulk 1903-1910) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory. Records of the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory, 1885-1939 (bulk). Harvard University Archives.
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Clippings and pamphlets on Galveston Harbor : manuscript, 1872-1886. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Huffaker, Edward C. The Kite : Its Mechanism and Equilibrium, 1896 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Hildebrandt, A. (Alfred), b. 1870. Papers of A. Hildebrandt, 1826-1940. Library of Congress
referencedIn Delaurier, E. T. Aérien et moteur à feu : description et dessins : scrapbook, 1892-1893. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Lamson, Charles Henry. C. H. Lamson's Experiments on Kite Flying, 1896-1898 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Letter, 1892. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Langley, S.P. The Langley Aerodrome, 1891-1906 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Kress, Wilhelm, 1836-1913. The aeroplane and its stability during flight : manuscript, 1895 / by W. Kress. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Research Notes Concerning Augustus Moore Herring, circa 1964 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Balloons in the recent war : manuscript, [ca. 1899]. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Huffaker, Edward Chalmers. Edward Chalmers Huffaker papers, 1880-1986, undated. East Tennessee State University, TET
creatorOf Lilienthal, Otto, 1848-1896. Papers on aeronautics : scrapbook, 1848-1896. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Papers, 1904. Indiana Historical Society Library
creatorOf Pilcher, Percy. Materials for the study of aeronautical experiments : scrapbook, 1895-1899. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Tissandier Collection on the History of Aeronautics, 1539-1929, (bulk 1780-1920) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Huffaker, Edward C. Experiments with gliding models conducted by E.C. Huffaker for Mr. O. Chanute, C.E. : manuscript, 1899. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910. Letters [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Jervis, John B. The Croton Aqueduct, 1870s Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Lilienthal, Otto, 1848-1896. Papers on aeronautics : scrapbook, 1848-1896. Texas Christian University
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correspondedWith Ader, Clément, 1841-1925 person
associatedWith Aero Club of America. corporateBody
associatedWith American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. corporateBody
correspondedWith Avery, William A. person
correspondedWith Baden-Powell, Baden Fletcher Smyth, 1860-1937 person
correspondedWith Bell, Alexander Graham, 1847-1922 person
associatedWith Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory. corporateBody
associatedWith Brayton, George Bailey, 1830-1892. person
correspondedWith Cabot, Samuel, 1850-1906 person
associatedWith Chalmers, Charles H. person
associatedWith Chalmers, Charles H. person
associatedWith Crerar Manuscript Collection (University of Chicago. Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Delaurier, E. T person
associatedWith Delaurier, E. T. person
associatedWith Dupuis-Delcourt, 1802-1864 person
associatedWith Erie Railroad Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Gregory, Elizabeth Hiatt, b. 1872- person
correspondedWith Hargrave, Lawrence, 1850-1916 person
associatedWith Herring, Augustus Moore, 1867-1926. person
associatedWith Hildebrandt, A. (Alfred), b. 1870. person
associatedWith Holland, Sidney person
associatedWith Huffaker, E. C. person
associatedWith Huffaker, Edward C. person
associatedWith Huffaker, Edward Chalmers. person
associatedWith Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences (U.S.). Aeronautical Archives. corporateBody
associatedWith Jefferson College (Convent, La.) corporateBody
associatedWith Jervis, John B. (John Bloomfield), 1795-1885. person
associatedWith Koch, Gustav, b. 1843. person
associatedWith Kress, Wilhelm, 1836-1913. person
associatedWith Lamson, Charles Henry, 1847-1896. person
associatedWith Langley, S. P. (Samuel Pierpont), 1834-1906. person
associatedWith Library of Congress, corporateBody
associatedWith Lilienthal, Otto, 1848-1896. person
correspondedWith Maxim, Hiram S. (Hiram Stevens), 1840-1916 person
associatedWith Meier, E. D. person
associatedWith Meier, E. D. person
associatedWith Moedebeck, Hermann W. L. (Hermann Wilhelm Ludwig), 1857-1897. person
associatedWith Moedebeck, Hermann W. L. (Hermann Wilhelm Ludwig), 1857-1910. person
correspondedWith Montgomery, John J. (John Joseph), 1858-1911 person
correspondedWith Mouillard, Louis-Pierre, 1834-1897 person
correspondedWith Moy, Thomas person
associatedWith Niehaus, Earl F. person
associatedWith Niehaus, Earl F. Earl F. Niehaus thesis. 1955. person
associatedWith Obermayer, Albert, b. 1844. person
associatedWith Parson, John B. person
associatedWith Parson, John B. person
associatedWith Phillips, Horatio person
associatedWith Phillips, Horatio. person
correspondedWith Pilcher, Percy person
associatedWith Pilcher, Percy. person
correspondedWith Rotch, Abbott Lawrence, 1861-1912. person
correspondedWith Spratt, G. A. (George Alexander), 1880-1934 person
associatedWith Stetson, Amos S. person
associatedWith Stetson, Amos S. person
associatedWith Tissandier, Albert, 1839-1906 person
associatedWith Tissandier, Gaston, 1843-1899. person
associatedWith Tissandier, Paul, 1881- Tissandier collection on the history of aeronautics. 1539-1929 person
associatedWith University of Chicago. Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Walker, J. Brisben. person
correspondedWith Wright, Orville, 1871-1948 person
correspondedWith Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912 person
correspondedWith Zahm, Albert Francis, 1862 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Missouri River
United States
Kansas--Abilene
Illinois--Chicago
New York (State)--New York
Subject
Aerodynamics
Aeronautical engineers
Aeronautics
Aeronautics
Aeronautics
Aeronautics, Military
Air pilots
Airships
Balloons
Bridges
Bridges
Bridges
Civil engineering
Diesel motor
Engines
Steam engines
Flight
Flight
Gliders (Aeronautics)
Internal combustion engines, Spark ignition
Kites
Navigation (Aeronautics)
Railroad engineering
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads, Elevated
Railroads, Elevated
Railroad ties
Spanish
Stockyards
Stockyards
Occupation
Aircraft pilots
Aviators
Civil engineers
Collector
Compilers
Photographers
Activity

Person

Birth 1832-02-18

Death 1910-11-23

Americans

English

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