Alexander Jackson Davis papers

Home

Search Browse About

Items Collections Divisions

Digital Collections Using Images Using Data

Navigation About Filters

This collection is also available in Archives & Manuscripts
View In Archives »

Collection Data

Description: Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892), the American architect, started working as a draftsman for Josiah C. Brady and Ithiel Town in New York City. He became Town's partner in 1829 and they collaborated on public structures, including the New York Customs House (1832) and various state capitols. When Davis went into business on his own, he continued to design public buildings but concentrated on designs for large country and suburban houses. Collection consists of the papers of Alexander Jackson Davis and his son Joseph Beale Davis. A.J. Davis papers contain correspondence, accounts, legal papers, lectures, writings, architectural specifications, drawings and engravings, diary, scrapbooks, catalog of his library, and miscellaneous materials. Bulk of the correspondence consists of letters, 1829-1890, to Davis concerning architectural projects and other business and personal matters. Writings and notes of Davis include diary, 1827-1853, and lectures with related materials. Scrapbooks contain engravings and woodcuts from books, drawings and watercolors of architectural details by Davis, and clippings. Also, architectural specifications, drawings and engravings for his designs. J.B. Davis papers include correspondence, mostly letters, 1895-1937, to Davis; materials related to the Davis and Beale families; biographical notes; and other materials, such as photographs, engravings and clippings.
Names: Davis, Alexander Jackson, 1803-1892 (Creator); Allen, John (Contributor); Cooke-Davis, Philip St. George (Contributor); Dakin, James H. (Contributor); Davis, Joseph Beale (Creator); Eddy, James, 1806-1888 (Contributor); Hunt, Francis Key (Contributor); Jones, George, d. 1878 (Contributor); Morehead, John Motley, 1796-1866 (Contributor); Swain, David L. (David Lowry), 1801-1868 (Contributor); Town, Ithiel, 1784-1844 (Contributor); Beal family (Contributor); Byrd family (Contributor); Davis family (Contributor); Nicholson family (Contributor); Town and Davis (Firm) (Contributor)
Dates / Origin: Date Created: 1791 - 1937
Library locations: Manuscripts and Archives Division; Shelf locator: MssCol 734
Topics: Architects; Architecture -- Designs and plans; Architecture -- United States; Architecture, Domestic -- United States; Art, Egyptian; Art, Gothic; Art, Greek; Art, Roman; Gothic revival (Architecture) -- United States; Historic buildings -- Designs and plans -- United States; Public buildings -- United States
Genres: Drawings; Diaries; Architectural drawings; Maps; Photographs; Scrapbooks; Correspondence; Documents; Records (Documents)
Notes: Biographical/historical: Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892), the American architect, started working as a draftsman for Josiah C. Brady and Ithiel Town in New York City. He became Town's partner in 1829 and they collaborated on public structures, including the New York Customs House (1832) and various state capitols. When Davis went into business on his own, he continued to design public buildings but concentrated on designs for large country and suburban houses.; Content: Collection consists of the papers of Alexander Jackson Davis and his son Joseph Beale Davis.; Ownership: 1941 Davis, Joseph Beale; Swann Gallery Purchase
Physical Description: Extent: 3 linear feet (8 boxes, 8 v.)
Type of Resource: Text; Still image; Cartographic
Identifiers: NYPL catalog ID (B-number): b11822956; MSS Unit ID: 734; RLIN/OCLC: NYPW93-A179; Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 4dc136b0-b094-0136-8240-6bc0ef4ecdd6

2 results found

The New York Public Library

Digital Collections

Alexander Jackson Davis papers

Collection Data

name

collection

genre

division

type

Date Range