Personal Papers
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7070, Charles Rau Papers
Charles Rau (1826-1887), archeologist, was born in Belgium and attended the University of Heidelberg. In 1848, Rau emigrated to the United States, where he taught foreign languages at schools in Illinois and New York City. While teaching, he conducted anthropological research on aboriginal Americans. Rau was appointed Resident Collaborator in Ethnology, United States National Museum (USNM) in 1875, and was given the responsibility for setting up the Smithsonian Institution's anthropological exhibits at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. From 1881 until his death, Rau was Curator of the Department of Archeology, USNM. Rau wrote articles and books on native Americans and on archeology in general, and many of his works were printed in Smithsonian publications.
These papers consist of correspondence from Joseph Henry, Spencer Fullerton Baird, and scientific organizations, colleges, and libraries concerning archeological specimens and Rau's articles sent to the Smithsonian for publication; membership certificates; acknowledgment for books sent; formal death notices; a memorandum of agreement between Rau and Harper and Brothers; and statutes of two European anthropological organizations. Oversize material consists of certificates, a pencil drawing, and two Asian documents.
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