Finding Aids

Crawford H. Greenewalt (1902-1993) was an executive with the DuPont Company and president of the firm from 1948 to 1962. He had a passion for the natural sciences, and combined his love of ornithology with photography. He was especially known for his high-speed photographs of hummingbirds. His ornithological interests included bird songs, the radiance of hummingbird feathers, and the evolution of shapes and sizes of birds in relation to their flight abilities. Greenewalt's personal papers are primarily focused on his retirement years and his avocational interests. The papers document Greenewalt's political activities in the Republican National Committee and include exchanges with many of the leading political and business figures of the day. Of particular significance are the papers describing Greenewalt's work in photography and ornithology, beginning in 1948. These materials trace his research interests in the hummingbird and bird flight and his trips to places like Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, the Antilles, New Guinea, and the Galapagos Islands in order to observe and photograph birds in their natural habitats. Other files describe Greenewalt's work on the visiting committee at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1965-1987), which evaluated the school's academic programs.

H. Rodney Sharp (1880-1968) was a historic preservationist and husband of Isabella du Pont Sharp (1882-1946), a descendent of the founders of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company. The collection contains typed transcripts of letters written by Sharp while the Sharp family, friends, and children's nurses traveled around the world.

Isabella du Pont Sharp (1882-1946) was a descendent of the founders of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company. The collection contains typed transcripts of letters written by Sharp to her sister, Margaretta du Pont Carpenter (1884-1973) while the Sharp family, friends, and children's nurses traveled around the world. The letters are filled with details about traveling, sightseeing, hotels, shopping, meals, and clothing.

Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739-1817) was a French political economist, writer, publisher, and public administrator. Françoise Robin du Pont (1748-1841) was the second wife of du Pont de Nemours. The collection contains photocopies of letters of both du Pont de Nemours. His letter regards obtaining a "safe conduct" passport while heading a scientific expedition being sent to North America by the Institute National. Her letters are with a Bergen Point, New Jersey former neighbor, C. Preudhomme, and his son.

Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739-1817) was a French political economist, writer, publisher, and public administrator. The collection contains a letter he wrote to a colleague concerning his proposed voyage to America.