Summary Information
Francis A. Stout Scrapbooks
1885-1892
- Stout, Francis A., 1833-1892
AGSL Manuscript Collection 34
3.5 cubic ft. (5 boxes)
UW-Milwaukee Libraries, American Geographical Society Library (Map)
Scrapbooks of Francis Stout, a wealthy New Yorker and
philanthropist, who was involved in numerous organizations and causes. The
scrapbooks pertain to the various aspects of creating the Nicaragua
Canal.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-agsl-agslmss0034 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Francis Aquila Stout was born in New York City on October 21, 1833. He studied
engineering and law, but never formerly entered a profession. After receiving a
large inheritance, Stout focused his energies on various scientific and charitable
pursuits. He became a member of the American Geographical Society in 1860, and was
later a Vice President from 1872 to 1892. Stout was also a member of several other
clubs, including the Century Association, Knickerbocker Club, and the Union League.
He helped initiate a new topographical survey for the state of New York in 1875 as
well. Stout died on July 18, 1892.
One of Stout's interests was the creation of an interoceanic canal in Central
America, particularly the construction of a shipping route that would make world
shipping easier. He became president of the Nicaragua Canal Construction Company
from its inception in 1887. Another company, the Maritime Canal Company of
Nicaragua, was incorporated in 1889 and had the rights to build a canal. The
Maritime Company made a contract with the Construction Company to begin work on the
canal. However, the Panic of 1893 caused the Maritime Company to go into bankruptcy
before the project could be completed.
Scope and Content Note
The collection is comprised of five scrapbooks, all dealing with the construction of
the Nicaragua Canal. Most of the scrapbooks contain clippings, usually from New York
newspapers, but there are also clippings from newspapers from elsewhere in the U.S.,
as well as a few from Europe. There are also some clippings related to the Panama
Canal and Ferdinand de Lesseps. In addition to clippings, the scrapbooks also
contain materials from other publications, such as magazine and journal articles,
reports from various canal organizations, some of which include maps, and reprints
of Congressional hearings. Occasional mailings and correspondence related to the
Nicaragua Canal Construction Company are included in some of the books as well.
Preferred Citation
Citation Guide for Primary Sources
Related Material in the UWM Libraries
Administrative/Restriction Information
There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to
all members of the public in accordance with state law.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel,
privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection
(Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).
These scrapbooks were donated to the American Geographical Society of New York by
Mrs. Francis Stout in June 1896.
The American Geographical Society of New York donated these scrapbooks to the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries in 1978 as part of its entire map
and library collections.
Bob Jaeger processed the collection in August 2015.
Contents List
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Scrapbooks
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Box
1
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Volume 1, clippings, 1885-1888
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Box
2
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Volume 2, clippings and mailings, 1888-1889
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Box
3
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Volume 3, clippings, reports, and mailings,
1889-1891
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Box
4
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Volume 4, clippings and reports, 1890-1892
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Box
5
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Volume 5, clippings, reports, and Congressional hearings,
1891-1892
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