Dec
01

December 1, 1848

The first volume of Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge is published and distributed: ‘Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, comprising the results of Extensive Original Surveys and Explorations,” by E. G. Squier and E. H. Davis. It is illustrated by 48 lithographic plates and 207 wood engravings. The manuscript was submitted to Secretary Joseph Henry on May 15, 1847, who then requested that members of the American Ethnological Society review it. They quickly sent a favorable review. Henry reports that the publication quality of the volume compares with any publication ever issued from the American press and decides against copyrighting this or any Smithsonian publications. The first volume of Contributions will be distributed to learned societies in approximately 25 foreign countries.

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Posted: 1 December 2010
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.