Overview
William Henry Pickering (1858-1938) was an American astronomer. He was an enthusiastic explorer, charged with expeditions to view solar eclipses and with establishing observatories for Harvard University in Peru, Arizona, and Jamaica. The collection contains a mix of personal, family, and astronomical materials including letters, notes, data, drawings, and photographs.
Dates
- Creation: 1870-1907
Creator
Access
Open for research.
Extent
2 cubic feet (3 folders and 9 boxes)The collection contains a mix of personal, family, and astronomical materials including letters, notes, data, drawings, and photographs.
History/Biographical Note
William Henry Pickering (1858-1938) was an American astronomer and the brother of his fellow astronomer, Edward Charles Pickering.
William Henry Pickering was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was an Assistant Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University from 1889-1924. He was known for his energy and zeal. An enthusiastic explorer, he was charged with expeditions to view solar eclipses and with establishing observatories for Harvard University it Arequipa, Peru, Flagstaff, Arizona, and Mandeville, Jamaica. He retired from Harvard in 1924, at which time the Mandeville observatory became affiliated with him personally, rather than with Harvard.
Acquisition information
Transfers from the Harvard College Observatory, 1940-1953.
Online access
Some material in this collection has been digitized and is available online. Links accompany descriptions.
Bibliography
- Martz, E. P., Jr.
Professor William Henry Pickering, an appreciation.
Popular Astronomy, (June-July, 1938) Vol. XLVI, No. 6, pp. [298]-310.
Inventory update
This document last updated 2019 September 25.
Processing Information
Material was first described in the Harvard University Archives shelflist in the mid-20th century.
This inventory created by Kate Bowers in March 2014 from shelflist information. Material not examined.
Creator
- Title
- Pickering, William H. (William Henry), 1858- Papers of William Henry Pickering, 1870-1907: an inventory
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hua09014
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461
archives_reference@harvard.edu