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Edward Fontaine Biographical Sketch of Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar

 Collection
Identifier: MS 194
Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a biographical sketch of Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar written by his secretary, Edward Fontaine.

Dates

  • 1857

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Edward Fontaine Biographical Sketch of Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

Biographical / Historical

Edward Fontaine (1814-1884) was a minister, an amateur naturalist, and the great-grandson of Patrick Henry. He was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was admitted to the ministry in 1838. He relinquished his ministry in 1840 and became private secretary to Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar from May to October 1841. He again served as minister and taught school sporadically for the next few years. In 1859, he moved to Mississippi and served in the Mississippi Army during the Civil War. He was a member of both the Maryland and New Orleans Academies of Science. He delivered speeches and wrote papers about his scientific interests. His lectures included “How the World was Peopled,” “Winds of the Gulf States,” and “A Lectures on the Peculiarities of the Physical Geography of the Mississippi River and its Delta.” He remained in Mississippi until his death in 1884.

Lamar served as President of the Republic of Texas from December 1838 until December 1841. Originally opposed to U.S. annexation, he planned a comprehensive system of education, and began successful negotiations for recognition by France, England, and Holland. Furthermore, he founded the city of Austin in 1840. He was, however, unable to solve the financial problems of Texas and he failed to gain Mexico’s recognition of the republic’s independence.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

This collection contains a biographical sketch of Mirabeau Bonparte Lamar written by his secretary, Edward Fontaine. Lamar served as President of the Republic of Texas from 1838 until 1841. Originally opposed to U.S. annexation, he planned a comprehensive system of education; began successful negotiations for recognition by France, England, and Holland; and founded the city of Austin in 1840.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased on May 21, 1971.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Edward Fontaine Biographical Sketch of Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar, 1857
Status
Completed
Date
2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892