Information

Smithsonian Institution Libraries

Number 95

Spring 2007

Smithsoniana!

A new scholarly biography of James Smithson brings attention to his 

personal library at the Smithsonian Libraries page 4
Smithsonian Institution Libraries Information Spring 2007

from the director

This issue describes the collections of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, both in their artistic 

beauty and in their value for the research performed on the 

vast specimen and artifact collections of the National Museum of Natural History. As the repository for the personal 

library of James Smithson, the Cullman Library played 

a key role in the development of 

Heather Ewing’s new defi nitive biography of the Institution’s founder. 

Ewing paged through each volume, 

noting Smithson’s marks and marginal comments, the names of those 

who gave him the books, their dates 

of acquisition, and their contents to 

infer information about his life and 

times. It is one of the best explorations of an entire library as an 

artifact that I’ve encountered.

Ewing’s work stimulated our 

staff to compare the Smithson library with inventory lists to 

determine if we had all the volumes that were so carefully 

packed and carried across the ocean in 1838, along with the 

bequest’s gold coins and Smithson’s other personal goods. 

A few are missing and we’ve started tracking them down.

Our Museum Studies and Reference Library also has a 

special collection of Smithsoniana, books and journals that 

were published by or about the Institution. You can fi nd out 

more about Smithson and the Institution’s founding from 

our online exhibition From Smithson to Smithsonian: The 

Birth of an Institution (www.sil.si.edu/Exhibitions/Smithson-to-Smithsonian), as well as the website of the Smithsonian Institution Archives (www.siarchives.si.edu). Don’t 

miss it! It’s a great story.

Nancy E. Gwinn

2

Image credits:

Cover Andre Jacques Garnerin. Air ballon [sic] & parachute. [Sommers 

 Town, Eng., 1802.] Frontispiece.

William Bullock. A descriptive catalogue of the exhibition, 

 entitled Ancient and modern Mexico...at Egyptian Hall, 

 Piccadilly, [1824].) Frontispiece.

Page 5, 6 Insects: Jakob Sturm. Verzeichniss meiner Insecten-Sammlung,

 (1796).

Joseph F. Cullman 3rd 

Library of Natural History

One of two rare-book rooms in the 

Smithsonian Libraries’ Special Collections Department, the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History is 

a brand new facility in the National 

Museum of Natural History. It allows 

the Libraries to merge 12 separate 

rare-book collections in a space convenient to researchers and appropriate for the security and preservation 

of the books. 

Opened in 2003 the library is named 

in honor of Joseph F. Cullman 3rd, formerly of New York City. A long-term 

supporter of the Smithsonian, he and 

his wife Joan established two endowments for the natural history rare-book 

collections before their deaths in 2004: 

one for the operations of the Cullman 

Library (acquisitions, cataloging, staff 

travel & training, etc.), and another for 

book preservation and conservation.

The Cullman Library holds approximately 12,000 volumes published before 1840 in the continued on page 3

Smithsoniana

John Gould. The Birds of New Guinea and the Adjacent Papua Islands, 1875-8
Smithsonian Institution Libraries Information Spring 2007

continued from page 2 fi elds of botany and 

horticulture; zoology, paleontology; mineral 

and earth sciences; and anthropology. The publications of seventeenth- through nineteenthcentury voyages of exploration are a special 

strength, as is the history of museums and scientifi c collecting. All collections are cataloged 

and searchable in the Libraries’ online catalog 

SIRIS at www.siris.si.edu.

The rare natural history collections originated with James Smithson’s own library on mineralogy at the Institution’s founding (see related article) and grew over the decades through 

governmental transfers, international exchanges with other scientifi c institutions, purchases, 

and most particularly through gifts from curators and researchers at the National Museum of 

Natural History, as well as from private collectors and other benefactors. As a result, holdings 

are unusually deep and extensive in support of 

the museum’s research in taxonomy and systematics–the identifi cation and classifi cation of 

species–which provides the basis for a variety 

of other sciences, including medical drug research, forestry and fi sheries management, and 

endangered-species conservation.

This technical and dry-sounding subject is 

belied by the glorious nature of the books themselves. From the era of the hand-press and bespoke bindings, the books are themselves historical artifacts. And 

inside the leather-bound volumes are beautiful hand-colored folio engravings of butterfl ies, shells, birds, fl owers, 

insects, fi shes, and other creatures. Striking portraits of Native Americans bring past history to life, and lush landscapes or harsh, lonely seascapes illustrate the travels of explorers and collectors in areas of the world far away 

in both time and place.

Curator of Natural History Rare Books Leslie Overstreet and Library Technician Daria Wingreen-Mason manage the collection, making the books available to researchers directly in the reading room and through reference 

assistance. In addition, the Libraries shares the collection by means of digital editions and images on the Libraries’ 

website, in exhibitions, and featured in public programs.

For more information: www.sil.si.edu/libraries/cullman, or contact staff directly at 202.633.1184, or by e-mail to 

overstreetL@si.edu.

3

Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History

library focus

François-Nicolas Martinet. Ornithologie [=Histoire des Oiseaux Peints dans Tous Leurs Aspects Apparents et 

Sensibles] [Ornithology], 1773-1792
Smithsonian Institution Libraries Information Spring 2007

collections

4

A new scholarly biography of James 

Smithson by historian Heather Ewing (The Lost 

World of James Smithson: Science, Revolution, 

and the Founding of the Smithsonian, London: 

Bloomsbury Press, 2007) makes extensive use 

of Smithson’s books to identify and analyze 

his scientific research, collegial networks, and 

personal interests. From inscriptions and annotations in the texts Ewing draws informed 

and intelligent deductions about Smithson’s 

life and career, which are otherwise so poorly 

documented. 

Her book has prompted the installation 

of a small exhibition on Smithson in the 

Smithsonian Castle building (through the end 

of September), which includes two books 

from his library. It will also be the subject of 

a Smithsonian Material Culture Forum this 

winter, at which Curator of Natural History 

Rare Books Leslie Overstreet will give a talk 

on intriguing bibliographical aspects of James 

Smithson’s books.

Scholarly Biography Brings 

Attention to Smithson

The Smithsonian Institution owes 

its existence to an English gentleman-scientist named James Smithson 

who lived from 1765 to 1829 and 

bequeathed his entire estate to the 

United States of America, including his 

personal property. Tragically almost 

all of Smithson’s papers and scientific 

manuscripts were destroyed by a fire in 

the central portion of the Smithsonian 

building in 1865. One of the few things 

that survived, in the western wing of 

the building, was his library. It has 

been a special collection in the care 

of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries since the 

1970s. 

S m i t h s o n ’ s 

library consists of 

115 titles, totalling about 250 

individual volumes. Although 

there is a wide 

variety of books 

(including a family cookbook, auction catalogs, and 

volumes on travel 

and history), over 

half of the titles 

are on science, 

primarily chemistry and mineralogy. A graduate of 

Oxford University 

and a member of the Royal Society from the age of 

22, Smithson was a serious though amateur scientist who quickly became known and valued for his 

chemical analyses of minerals, which he published 

in the Society’s Philosophical Transactions and 

other journals. His work and travels brought him 

into contact with all of the premier scientists of the 

period: Sir Joseph Banks, Humphrey Davy, Antoine 

Lavoisier, and many others. Numerous books in 

his library were inscribed to him by their authors. 

F Leslie Overstreet

James Smithson’s Library

James Smithson

Ernest Ingersoll. Hand-book to the National Museum, 

under direction of the Smithsonian Institution, 1886

The Smithson Letter
Smithsonian Institution Libraries Information Spring 2007

In years past, the Smithsonian 

Institution Libraries has partnered 

with the National Museums of 

American History, Air and Space, 

the American Indian and others to 

host its annual Spencer Baird Society Dinner. The event is a means 

of raising both awareness and 

funds for the Libraries and this 

year’s dinner hopes to accomplish 

both in a big way.

This fall, the Libraries will partner with the National Zoological 

Park and have asked television personality, Jeff 

Corwin of Animal 

Planet, to be the 

guest speaker.

Proceeds from this 

year’s Baird Society 

Dinner will benefi t the 

Libraries’ wildlife conservation materials.

The dinner will be held September 28th, 

but details are still being fi nalized. 

Visit http://www.escapetothewildside.org/ for more 

details...

5

A Walk on the 

Wild Side...

outreach

Carl Linnaeus (also 

known as Carl von Linné), 

a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, was 

born on May 23, 1707. By 

developing systems for 

naming and classifying 

species, he made a monumental contribution to 

science.

Throughout the 1700s, 

voyages of exploration 

brought huge numbers 

of plants and animals 

back to Europe from 

Asia, Africa, and the 

Americas. Chaos loomed 

for naturalists trying to 

understand and identify 

these finds and to communicate their discoveries 

to others. Linnaeus came 

to the rescue, laying the 

foundations of modern 

biological nomenclature 

(scientific names) and 

systematics (the classification of species into related 

groups). Most important 

was his system of assigning a twoword name, derived from Latin or 

Greek, to every species of animal 

and plant. (For example, the word 

for human being changes from one 

language to another, but every 

scientist around the world understands the species name Homo 

sapiens.) Linnaeus’s work earned 

him recognition as the “father of 

modern taxonomy” (the identification and naming of species).

Linnaeus died in 1778, but the 

work of taxonomy and systematics continues today at the National 

Museum of Natural History—and 

still relies upon Linnaeus’s classic 

works. Many are in the collection of 

the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of 

Natural History.

Happy Birthday, Linnaeus!

Carl Linnaeus

Zoo Praha [Prague Zoo], 1958
Smithsonian Institution Libraries Information Spring 2007

When Pam Braden walks into a room, you notice her. The tall blonde and newest 

member of the Smithsonian Libraries Board exudes confidence and enthusiasm. She 

describes herself as adventurous and “a bit of a gambler” but also focused and goaloriented, and these days she is focused on sharing her knowledge of the Libraries with 

others. “I think the Libraries are a national treasure...the materials capture who we are 

and how we came to be and I want the opportunity to help others become more aware 

of this invaluable collection.” 

A political science graduate of the University of Akron, Pam is founder and president 

of Gryphon Technologies, a company that focuses on systems engineering and integration in support of the U.S. Navy. Gryphon, which has over 300 employees, was recently 

named one of five finalists for the award Government Contractor of the Year.

Pam learned about the board through her close friend and mentor Mike Gooden who has been a board member 

for the past six years. She says Mike has been a major influence in her life. “When he spoke about the Libraries’ 

collection with such passion, I had to see the items for myself. I loved seeing an actual letter from Galileo, notes 

from Copernicus, the personal papers of James Smithson and original Audubon prints!”

Pam is currently serving on the board’s development committee and working to secure sponsors for the Libraries’ 

annual Spencer Baird Society Dinner which will take 

place this year at the National Zoo on September 28th. 

“This is the first event that the Libraries and the zoo 

have hosted together. I understand that the zoo’s new Asia 

Trail is amazing and I am excited to walk it and see the 

animals and talk to their keepers and curators.”

T h o s e 

who know 

Pam are not 

surprised to 

learn that 

she is as passionate about her 

hobbies as she is 

her business and 

charitable endeavors. She has successfully reached 

the summit of 

Mt. Kilimanjaro, 

gone ice skating in Siberia 

and toured the 

Panama Canal. F 

Catherine Fraser

6

New Board Member Thrilled to Serve

Most visitors to the Smithsonian’s 

19 museums and research centers are 

not aware of the extent curators rely 

on Smithsonian Libraries resources 

in order to help make exhibits both 

educational and engaging. In the Libraries’ stacks and online materials, 

researchers often find the information 

they need to make exhibits come alive 

for visitors.

As donors become aware of the role 

the Libaries plays in the success of 

Smithsonian endeavors, they are offering financial support for Libaries 

operations. If you would like to help 

the Libraries grow its collection, learn 

more about the Libraries’ board or the 

upcoming Spencer Baird Society Dinner, please contact the Office of Development at 202.633.2875.

Support for the 

Libraries Grows

giving to the libraries

Pam Braden

Mark Catesby. The natural history of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama 

Islands, (London, 1731-1743)
Smithsonian Institution Libraries Information Spring 2007 7

At the Smithsonian Libraries, Gwen was 

instrumental in building a brand-new 

fund-raising program that included establishment of the 

Libraries Board, launching 

of the Spencer Baird Society, 

and implementation of a capital campaign.

During her tenure, SIL raised 

over $6.9 million, including 

endowment funds, the principal of which has now exceeded $5 million. 

She also planned and carried 

out Libraries Board meetings 

and managed Board member 

trips to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in the 

Republic of Panama and the 

Smithsonian Environmental 

Research Center in Edgewater, Md. She conducted tours, 

arranged programs, and used 

her extensive contacts to help 

engage prospective donors 

and friends in the life of the 

Smithsonian.

Her family and friends are 

creating an endowment in 

her memory to strengthen 

the Libraries collection. To 

contribute to the Gwendolen Rochester Leighty Memorial Endowment, contact 

the Development Office at 

202.633.2875.

Gwendolen Rochester Leighty 

Memorial Endowment

Gwendolen Rochester 

Leighty, 49, passed away on 

November 6, 2005, after a 

four-year battle against cancer. 

Gwen became Development 

Officer for the Smithsonian 

Institution Libraries in January 

1994. She previously served 

in the Smithsonian Office of 

Development and in the early 

1980s as a management intern 

and later as Outreach Program 

Coordinator at the National 

Museum of American History.

Gwen’s was a high-energy, ebullient personality that 

charged the atmosphere—a joie 

de vivre that refused to countenance obstacles or negativism. She nurtured an extensive 

group of friends, colleagues, 

and donors. Never content to 

sit still, she vigorously contributed to every organization 

and cause with which she was 

connected.

Her colleagues will remember her incredible optimism 

and unwavering enthusiasm 

for promoting the Libraries 

and its staff. She was a ready 

volunteer for any program and 

liked nothing better than to 

plan staff activities. Staff frequently enjoyed the song lyrics she supplied to celebrate 

any occasion. 

Gwen taught us courage and 

how to be cheerful and smile in 

adversity. F

Gwendolen Rochester Leighty

Gwendolen 

Rochester 

Leighty 

(1956-2005)

Center: With 

former Libraries 

Board member 

Brian Heidtke

E.A. Séguy. Papillons, 1925
new, ongoing & upcoming

Smithsonian Institution Libraries

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in this issue

2 From the Director

3 Library Focus

4 Collections

5 Outreach

6, 7 Giving to the 

 Libraries

To be added to the mailing list, 

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digital format, please contact:

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SAVE THE DATE!

8th Annual Baird Society Dinner

 Smithsonian National Zoological Park, September 28, 2007

 http://www.escapetothewildside.org/

From the Digital Library

Art & Artist Files in the Smithsonian Libraries’ Collections

 http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/art-design/artandartistfiles/

By Aeroplane to Pygmyland: Revisiting the 1926 Dutch and American 

 Expedition to New Guinea

 http://www.sil.si.edu/expeditions/1926/index.cfm

Smithsonian Contributions and Studies Series

 http://www.sil.si.edu/smithsoniancontributions/

INFORMATION is published quarterly to inform users and benefactors about 

services, programs and issues affecting the Libraries.

Designer/Editor: Elizabeth Periale

Happy Anniversary Smithsonian Institution Libraries...

The Smithsonian Institution Libraries will celebrate 40 years of service to researchers and the public in 2008. A year 

of special activities is being planned in conjunction with the Libraries’ 40th anniversary. Stay tuned for details!