James Merrill Safford Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection on James M. Safford includes biographical information, field notes on his geological work within the state of Tennessee, map etchings, financial expenses, and a diary. Also included are transcriptions and research on Safford.
This collection consists of three series:
I. Originals by James M. Safford
II. Transcriptions of Safford Originals (mostly completed by Phyllis Scudder Marsh in 1965 and Dr. Richard Stearns later in the 1990s-2000s)
III. Notes and Research on Safford
Dates
- Creation: 1850 - 1995
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1889 - 1893
Conditions Governing Access
The physical materials from this collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Vanderbilt’s Special Collections and University Archives. Materials should be requested two to three days in advance to facilitate easier access. Contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an appointment.
Biographical / Historical
James Merrill Safford (1822-1907), an Ohio native attended Ohio University and Yale. He was famous for geological investigations of Tennessee, taught chemistry and biology, as well as geology. During his 52-year career, he was employed by Cumberland University, the University of Nashville, and Vanderbilt University. He also held the position of State Geologist of Tennessee. His professional contributions mainly consisted of survey work in geology throughout Tennessee. Later he mainly applied geology to health, agriculture, and resource development. His classic book and map, The Geology of Tennessee, appeared in 1869.
Full Extent
1.05 Linear Feet (2 letter Hollingers, 1 legal half-Hollinger)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection on James M. Safford includes biographical information, field notes on his geological work within the state of Tennessee, map etchings, financial expenses, and a diary. Also included are transcriptions and research on Safford.
Accruals
A number of additions were added to this collection in 2005 by Dr. Richard Stearns. These additions were integrated into the collection in May 2019.
Processing Information
This collection was revised by Curator Zach Johnson in May 2019.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the James Merrill Safford Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Zach Johnson
- Date
- revised May 2019
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu
About this Site
This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.
Requesting Materials
Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.