Leander McCormick Observatory papers, 1870-1928 | WorldCat.org (original) (raw)

Summary:The collection contains correspondence concerning the selection of the University of Virginia over Washington and Lee as the site for an observatory, the building of the observatory at Virginia, fundraising, the establishment of astronomy scholarships and a major gift by William H. Vanderbilt . Of interest is an 1879 letter about Monticello as a possible telescope site, an 1870 letter from Frank L. Anderson at Washington and Lee announcing the death of Robert E. Lee, and detailed letters of advice on research to be conducted at the University from Joseph Henry of the Smithsonian, 1870, 1871