Robert Peter papers

Abstract

The Robert Peter papers (dated 1828-1942, bulk 1854-1905; 2.7 cubic feet; 5 boxes) consist of correspondence, financial material, notes, laboratory notebooks, and catalogs, which document Peter's work with geological surveys in Arkansas, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Robert Peter papers
Date
1828-1942 (inclusive)
Bulk, 1854-1905 (bulk)
Creator
Peter, Robert, 1805-1894
Extent
2.7 Cubic feet
Subjects
Botany--Kentucky--Lexington.
Botany--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.
Catalogs.
Chemistry, Analytic.
Chemists.
Geochemistry.
Geological maps.
Geology--Arkansas--Surveys.
Geology--Indiana--Surveys.
Journals (notebooks)
Land use surveys.
Physicians
Plants--Catalogs.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into four series: Arkansas Geological Survey, Correspondence and financial, Kentucky Geological Survey, and Notes and assorted.
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Desirae Carron
Preferred Citation
47M68: [identification of item], Robert Peter papers, 1828-1942, bulk 1854-1905, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Chemist, physician, teacher. Robert Peter was born in England but emigrated to America in 1817. He lived for a time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After attending the Rensselaer School, in Troy, New York and lecturing on chemistry at Western University of Pennsylvania, Peter moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where he became a professor of chemistry at Transylvania University. He also studied medicine at Transylvania, and received his medical degree in 1834. He only practiced medicine for a short while, but served on the medical faculties of Transylvania and of the Kentucky School of Medicine in Louisville. Peter supervised military hospitals in Lexington during the Civil War and later served as a professor of chemistry at what is now the University of Kentucky. He also served as chemist for two geological surveys of Kentucky and one each of Arkansas and Indiana.
Scope and Content
The Robert Peter papers (dated 1828-1942, bulk 1854-1905; 2.7 cubic feet; 5 boxes) consist of correspondence, financial material, notes, laboratory notebooks, and catalogs, which document Peter's work with geological surveys in Arkansas, Indiana, and Kentucky. The bulk of the collection consists of Peter's laboratory notebooks relating to the three geological surveys. The loose notes concern chemical analyses made by Peter. People included in the correspondence and financial material include John B. Bowman, Henry Clay Hart, Laban Johnson Bradford, John Mason Brown, Thomas C. Coleman, George Gibbs, William A. Hickman, John Davies Jackson, David Dale Owen, John Robert Procter, and Nathaniel Southgate Shaler. Additional items of interest include catalogues of plants Peter identified in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1828-1833) and in the Lexington, Kentucky, area (1833-1835).

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.

Contents of the Collection

Arkansas Geological Survey, 1859-1860

Scope and Contents note

The series contains information about the Arkansas Geological Survey.

, 1859-1860

  • Box 1, Folder 3
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Analysis of Soils, laboratory notebook, v.1, 1859-1860

  • Box 1, Folder 4
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Laboratory notebook, v.2, 1859-1860

  • Box 1, Folder 5
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Laboratory notebook, v.3, 1859-1860

  • Box 1, Folder 6
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Laboratory notebook v.4, 1859-1860

  • Box 1, Folder 7
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Correspondence and financial material, 1854-1905

Scope and Contents note

The series contains letters and financial material.

, 1854-1884

  • Box 1, Folder 1
To top

, 1885-1905

  • Box 1, Folder 2
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Kentucky Geological Survey, 1854-1905

Scope and Contents note

The series contains information about the Kentucky Geological Survey.

Notes on first and second series, 1884, undated

  • Box 2, Folder 2
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First series, laboratory notebook, v.1, 1854-1860

  • Box 2, Folder 3
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First series, v.2, 1854-1860

  • Box 2, Folder 4
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First series, laboratory notebook, v.3, 1854-1860

  • Box 2, Folder 5
To top

First series, laboratory notebook, v.4, 1854-1860

  • Box 3, Folder 1
To top

First series, laboratory notebook, v.5, 1854-1860

  • Box 3, Folder 2
To top

First series, laboratory notebook, v.6, 1854-1860

  • Box 3, Folder 3
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First series, laboratory notebook, v.7, 1854-1860

  • Box 3, Folder 4
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First series, laboratory notebook, v.8, 1854-1860

  • Box 3, Folder 5
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First series, laboratory notebook, v.9, 1854-1860

  • Box 3, Folder 6
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Second series, laboratory notebook, v.1, 1873-1905

  • Box 4, Folder 1
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Second series, laboratory notebook, v.2, 1873-1905

  • Box 4, Folder 2
To top

Second series, laboratory notebook, v.3, 1873-1905

  • Box 4, Folder 3
To top

Second series, laboratory notebook, v.4, 1873-1905

  • Box 4, Folder 4
To top

Second series, laboratory notebook, v.5, 1873-1905

  • Box 4, Folder 5
To top

Second series, laboratory notebook, v.6, 1873-1905

  • Box 5, Folder 1
To top

Second series, laboratory notebook, v.7, 1873-1905

  • Box 5, Folder 2
To top

Second series, laboratory notebook, v.8, 1873-1905

  • Box 5, Folder 3
To top

Second series, laboratory notebook, v.9, 1873-1905

  • Box 5, Folder 4
To top

Second series, laboratory notebook, v.10, 1873-1905

  • Box 6, Folder 1
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Second series, laboratory notebook, v.11, 1873-1905

  • Box 6, Folder 2
To top

Ohio County, Plats, two volumes, undated

  • Box 6, Folder 3
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Notes and assorted, 1828-1942

Scope and Contents note

The series contains miscellaneous material such as loose notes and papers. Additionally, the series contains Peter's botanical catalogs and his Indiana Geological survey laboratory notebook.

Botanical Journal, v.1 - Catalogue of Plants about Pittsburg, PA, 1828 - 1833 - Catalogue of Plants of Kentucky, 1833 - 1835 - Additional unknown information added by A.M. Peter, 1942 July., 1828-1942

  • Box 1, Folder 8
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Indiana Geological Survey, laboratory notebook, v.1, 1860-1869

  • Box 2, Folder 1
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Miscellaneous notes, 1855-1859

  • Box 6, Folder 4
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Miscellaneous notes, 1860-1870

  • Box 6, Folder 5
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Miscellaneous pieces, 1839-1891

  • Box 6, Folder 6
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Transylvania University, miscellaneous notes, undated

  • Box 6, Folder 7
To top

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.