Benjamin Henry Latrobe collection
Abstract
This collection is comprised of Benjamin Henry Latrobe's 23 journals written in ink script, with some sketches, describing his activities in Maryland, Virginia, New York, Louisiana, and Washington, D.C. from 1796-1820 as well as 19 bound volumes of letterbooks containing primarily business information from 1803-1817.
Dates
- 1796-1820
Creator
- Latrobe, Benjamin Henry, 1764-1820 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Public use restricted to microfiche. See the two volume set "The Guide and Index to the Microfiche Edition of The Papers of Benjamin Henry Latrobe."
Besides Latrobe's journals and letterbooks, the microfiche edition also contains materials from other MCHC library and museum collections including manuscript documents and printed works; sketchbooks; and architectural and engineering drawings.
Conditions Governing Use
The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.
Biographical Note
Benjamin Henry Boneval Latrobe (1764-1820) was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, Great Britain, and at the age of twelve, traveled to Germany to study. He later joined the Royal Prussian Army and traveled extensively around the continent. Latrobe married Lydia Sellon Latrobe (1760-1793) in 1790. The couple had two children: Lydia Sellon Boneval Latrobe (1791-1878) and Henry Sellon Boneval Latrobe (1793-1817). She died in childbirth. Latrobe suffered a breakdown after this tragedy and emigrated to the United States, arriving in early 1796. He went on to become one of the most important architects in American history, and designed many notable buildings, including the Baltimore Basilica, Baltimore Exchange, United States Capitol Building, and the National Bank of Philadelphia, among others.
During his time in the United States, Latrobe lived in Richmond, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans. He remarried in 1800 to Mary Elizabeth Hazelhurst (1771-1841) and the couple had three children: Juliana Elizabeth Boneval Latrobe (1801-1801), John Hazelhurst Boneval Latrobe (1803-1891), and Benjamin Henry Latrobe, Jr. (1806-1878). Like their father, several of Latrobe's children were also major contributors to architecture, engineering, and art. Latrobe succumbed to Yellow Fever in 1820 and is buried in Saint Louis Cemetery Number One in New Orleans.
Extent
5 Linear Feet (1 box and 19 volumes)
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Aileen Ford Latrobe, wife of Ferdinand C. Latrobe II, in 1958-1960.
General
Benjamin H. Latrobe's 14 sketchbooks--of watercolors, wash, pen and ink, and pencil--and the Susquehanna River Survey Map were transferred to the collection of the MCHC Museum Department.
Scope and Contents
Journals
The Journals series is comprised of 23 journals. They contain Latrobe's descriptions and views of politics, society, manners, art, natural science, geology, and geography written primarily during his residence in Virginia, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and News Orleans. Among the journals are two field books written between August and November 1801 when Latrobe was one of the commissioners of the Susquehanna River Survey.
There are several historically missing journals. For the Virginia years seven of sixteen journals and one of two known journal appendixes are missing. For the period 1818-1820 one of eight journals is missing.
Letterbooks
The Letterbooks series is comprised of 19 bound volumes, written between 1803 September and 1817 December. They contain approximately 5,700 letters written by Latrobe with a polygraph, a copying device he obtained from Charles Willson Peale. Among the noteworthy figures he addressed are Aaron Burr, Henry Clay, Archbishop John Carroll, Robert Fulton, Albert Gallatin, Robert Goodloe Harper, Thomas Jefferson, Nathaniel Macon, James Madison, Dolley Madison, James Monroe, Charles Willson Peale, and William Loughton Smith.
The sequence of letters follows an approximate chronological order. However, Latrobe frequently misdated his letters, especially at the beginning of each year. For example several of the 1806 letterbooks are mistakenly dated 1805. The majority of the letterbook items are exact copies of originals sent to the designated recipient. Some of the letters, though, were probably never sent and others are draft copies which were revised before mailing.
Creator
- Latrobe, Benjamin Henry, 1764-1820 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Benjamin Henry Latrobe collection
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- Sandra Glascock
- Date
- 2021-12
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750
specialcollections@mdhistory.org