Wallace Goold Levinson Collection

The Wallace Goold Levinson Collection is comprised of a typewritten and handwritten manuscript detailing the history of the Brooklyn Institute and related research materials. Wallace Goold Levinson compiled and wrote the history between 18994 and 1922, though the manuscript appears to have been written in 1919.

The original manuscript was left in original order, though it does contain what appears to be several copies, or drafts. The original manuscript covers the history of the Brooklyn Institute from 1823-1865. There is an emphasis on the Natural History Department, which reflects Levinson's interest and involvement with the Brooklyn Institute. Topics include: A sketch of the early history, reminiscences of the Brooklyn Institute and some early collector, a paper read by Levinson before the Department of Mineralology, and the English Sparrow. Photographs of founding members, officers of the Institute, and what the Institute looked like were kept in the manuscript's order to provide context. Photographs and brief biographical remarks are present for the following individuals: Wallace Goold Levinson; John Allan (1776-1863); Robert Bach; George Bradford Brainerd; Dr. Oliver Hull; Samuel Ward; Elias Lewis; John McGeorge (1801-1870); Robert Nichols; Colonel Nicholas Pike; Charles S. Stone; Peter G. Taylor; F.G. Tucker; and Alfred Young. Copy negatives that were made at a later date were housed with the original photographs as well.

Additionally, there is a small amount of research material and biographical material on Wallace Goold Levinson including an obituary.