David Rittenhouse Papers 1774-1932

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David Rittenhouse Papers 1774-1932

http://www.amphilsoc.org/mole/view?docId=ead/Mss.SMs.Coll.11-ead.xml

David Rittenhouse (1732-1796) was one of the most prominent American men of science of the 18th Century. A skilled instrument maker, Rittenhouse was the an astronomer, playing a major role in recording the 1769 Transit of Venus, among many accomplishments. Rittenhouse also conducted important survey work for the state of Pennsylvania, establishing the state’s western border, as well as overseeing the completion of the Mason-Dixon survey. In addition to his scientific endeavors, Rittenhouse’s work for American independence places him among the important founding fathers. Subordinating his scientific interests for the greater good of Pennsylvania during the American Revolution, Rittenhouse served as a member of both the Pennsylvania Assembly and the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, and held powerful positions on the Pennsylvania Council of Safety and the subsequent Committee on Safety. Rittenhouse also served as the first director of the United States’ Mint, at the behest of President George Washington. Rittenhouse was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1768 and played a major role in placing the Society on the scientific map. He held many positions in the Society, including serving as its President from 1791 until his death in 1796. The Rittenhouse papers span 1774 to 1932, and consist of 61 items, over 0.25 linear feet. The collection is comprised mainly of correspondence, but also includes receipts, genealogies and broadsides.

0.25 Linear feet

American Philosophical Society

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SNAC Resource ID: 6632543

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Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus Conrad, 1750-1801

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Madison, James, 1751-1836

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Rittenhouse, H.

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Sergeant, John, 1779-1852

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Pennsylvania congressman. From the description of Testimonial : Philadelphia, 1835 Oct. 9. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122316936 From the description of ALS : tp S. W. Wager, 1808 Oct. 21. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122586017 From the description of ALS : Philadelphia, to John D. Steele, 1840 Oct. 31. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122475392 From the description of ALS (copy): Phila...

Barton family.

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Washington, George, 1732-1799

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George Washington (b. Feb. 22, 1732, Westmoreland County, Va.-d. Dec. 14, 1799, Mount Vernon, VA) was the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. Washington came from a family of farmers and landowners. He had little education but showed an aptitude for mathematics. He used this talent to become a surveyor. At 15, Washington took a job as assistant surveyor on a team sent to map the Shenandoah Valley in western Virginia. In his early 20s, Washington joined the Virgin...

Fox, Edward

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Epithet: Governor of the Leeward Isles British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000215.0x00001a Epithet: Bishop of Hereford British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000815.0x0002cc ...

Dobson, Thomas, 1751-1823

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Publisher, bookseller and author. Thomas Dobson was born in Scotland, emigrated to America in the Spring of 1784, and settled in Philadelphia. He published the first comprehensive encyclopedia produced in the United States. From the description of Thomas Dobson letter, [manuscript], 1806 November 6. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 318652146 Bookseller in Philadelphia. From the description of Receipt, 1808 Apr. 18, Philadelphia, to William Wallis Woodwar...

Barton, Thomas Pennant, 1803-1869

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Rittenhouse family.

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Rittenhouse, David, 1732-1796

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6zc83ch (person)

David Rittenhouse was a maker of clocks and astronomical instruments in Norriton (Norristown) and Philadelphia, Penn. From the description of Tall case brass dial clock, ca. 1770-1780. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 668311544 From the description of Tall case brass dial clock, ca. 1765-1775. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 668311425 From the description of Brass dial wall clock, ca. 1774. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 668311652 ...

Stiles, Ezra, 1727-1795

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Congregational clergyman and librarian, of Newport, R.I.; and president of Yale University, New Haven, Conn. From the description of Ezra Stiles papers, 1682-1795. (New Haven Colony Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 368232945 Ezra Stiles, president of Yale College from 1778 to 1795. From the description of Ezra Stiles papers, [ca. 1727-1795]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 81484808 From the description of Ezra Stiles papers, [ca. 1727-1795...

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Barton, Benjamin Smith, 1766-1815

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Benjamin Smith was a Philadelphia physician and naturalist. From the description of Correspondence, 1786-1815. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122380112 Benjamin Smith Barton was a Philadelphia physician and naturalist. From the description of A comparative vocabulary of Indian languages, [n.d.]. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122523582 From the description of Volumes, 1791-1812 (bulk). (Americ...