Archive Record
Metadata
Catalog Number |
MSNC00011 |
Filing Title |
Bain (Harry Foster) papers |
Collection |
Harry Foster Bain papers |
Dates of Creation |
1868-1970 |
Extent |
8 boxes |
Creator |
Bain, Harry Foster |
Scope & Content |
Mining engineer and consulting geologist; director of U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1921-1924; born in Seymour, Indiana; died in New York, New York. H. Foster Bain, a native of Indiana, became a renowned mining engineer and consulting geologist to major companies and governments around the world during a lengthy career. Receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1897, several years followed when he was active in geological surveys in Iowa, Colorado, and Illinois. Bain was editor of the "Mining and Scientific Press" from 1909 to 1915 and editor of the "Mining Magazine" during 1915 and 1916. He conducted mining explorations in the Far East for the next four years before becoming Assistant Director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1918. He was Director of the Bureau from 1921 to 1924, leaving that post to pursue consulting in Argentina, Canada, Mexico, and the Philippine Islands. The collection consists chiefly of letters written by Bain to his wife, Mary Wright Bain, with a small amount from her and their daughter, Margaret Tanner Beaver, and others. Bain's letters detail his many trips to foreign lands and experiences as a tourist. Some discuss social functions at the White House during the Hoover and Roosevelt administrations, but there is very little discussion of the "Teapot Dome Scandals" of the Harding administration, during Bain's tenure with the Bureau of Mines. Also included is a manuscript for a book describing his 1916 tour of Africa; an 1868 diary kept by William H. Bain, grandfather to H. Foster; W. H. Bain correspondence (1873); and a large box of photographs of the Bain family and countries they visited. Subjects: Bain family. Bain, Mary Wright, 1879-1969 -- Correspondence. Bain, William H., fl. 1868-1873. White House (Washington, D.C.) United States. Bureau of Mines. Mining engineers -- United States -- Correspondence. Voyages and travel. Africa -- Description and travel. Washington (D.C.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century. Photographs -- Nevada -- Reno. Diaries -- Nevada -- Reno. Geologists -- United States. |
Admin/Biographical History |
Mining engineer and consulting geologist; director of U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1921-1924; born in Seymour, Indiana; died in New York, New York. |
Language of Material |
English |