W.R. Grace & Co. records, 1828-1986, bulk 1861-1960

Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1414
Bib ID:
4078823 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
W.R. Grace & Co.
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
90 linear feet (167 boxes)
Language(s):
English .
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection has no restrictions.

The following boxes are located off-site: 1-164. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Description

Summary

The records of W.R. Grace & Co. cover the rise of the Grace shipping business from 1864 until World War II. The early correspondence concerns all aspects of the shipping business in New York and South America, mining interests in Peru and Chile, the railroad in Costa Rica, the inter-ocean canal planned for Nicaragua, and political interests throughout Central and South America. There are letter books, correspondence, and scrapbooks of clippings for all aspects of W.R. Grace's career. There are minute books and other documents for more than 50 subsidiary companies owned by W.R. Grace & Co. or by family members. The papers of Joseph Peter Grace (1872-1950) continue the business, family, and philanthropic activities until 1942. There are also 20 reels of motion picture film about the Grace Co. South American interests in the 1950s.

This wide-ranging collection of correspondence, administrative records, motion pictures, scrapbooks, and other materials details the development of the W.R. Grace & Co. shipping business as well as more than fifty other companies owned by the company or the Grace family. Apart from merchant and trade activities, prominent topics covered in the collection include mining, railroads, the construction of a trans-Isthmian canal, and South American, Central American, and United States politics.

Arrangement

Selected materials cataloged, remainder arranged. Cataloged correspondence, A-Z; Boxes 1-8: Unbound correspondence & documents, 1861-1918; Boxes 9-97: Letterbooks, contract books, etc., 1864-1917; Boxes 98-103: Nicaragua Canal, 1897-1900; Boxes 104-122: Scrapbooks, 1884-1920; Boxes 123-146: Subsidiary companies, Minute books, etc., 1869-1939; Boxes 147-153: Joseph Peter Grace, Correspondence & documents, 1919-1942; Boxes 154-155: Printed books & atlases; Boxes 156-157: Photographs; Box 158-162: Misc. & additions; 35 Oversize items.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection has no restrictions.

The following boxes are located off-site: 1-164. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); W.R. Grace & Co. records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Alternate Form Available

Microfilm available.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--W.R. Grace & Co. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1980. Accession number--M-80.

Historical Report, 1963-1972: Source of acquisition--Harper Collins. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--12/14/1990. Accession number--M-90-12-14.

Gift of W.R. Grace & Co., 1980 & 1985.

Gift of Harper Collins, 1990.

Publications About Described Materials

Clayton, Lawrence A. GRACE: W.R. GRACE & CO. THE FORMATIVE YEARS, 1850-1930. (Ottawa, Ill.: Jameson Books, c1985) 403 p.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 06/--/1989.

Historical Report, 1963-1972 Processed HR 08/20/1992.

Revision Description

2009-07-07 File created.

2014-02-07 XML document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

2024-05-31 Series VII et seq renumbered because of two series VIIs. kws

Biographical / Historical

William Russell Grace (1832-1904) and Michael Paul Grace (1842-1920) emigrated from Ireland during the 1850s and set up in business respectively in New York and Callao, Peru as ship's chandlers (boat supplies). They soon developed into shipping brokers and later owned their own fleet, the beginning of the present-day Grace Line. Grace companies were established in San Francisco and London. W.R. Grace was active in New York City politics (Mayor, 1881-1882, and 1885-1886), banking and insurance, real estate interests, and Catholic charities.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Accounts CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Agreements CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Annual reports CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Articles of incorporation CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Atlases CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Balance sheets CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Bills (financial) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Bills (legislative records) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Bylaws (administrative records) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Clippings (Information Artifacts) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Contracts CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Financial records CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Genealogies (histories) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Insurance policies CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Leases CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Ledgers (account books) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Letterpress copybooks CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Lists (document genres) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Maps (documents) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Memorandums CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Mortgages CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Obituaries CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Payrolls CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Pedigrees CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Personnel records CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Photographs CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Profit and loss statements CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Receipts (financial records) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Reports CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Tables CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
indexes (reference sources) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
minutes (administrative records) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
Alexander, James W. (James Waddell), 1839-1915 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Astor, John Jacob, 1864-1912 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Barlow, Samuel L. M. (Samuel Latham Mitchill), 1826-1889 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Bryce, Grace & Co CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Catholic Church -- Charities CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Cerro de Pasco Mining Syndicate CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Chapman, John Jay, 1862-1933 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Corrigan, Michael Augustine, 1839-1902 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Cortelyou, George B (George Bruce), 1862-1940 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Coudert, Frederic R (Frederic René), 1832-1903 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Daly, Joseph Francis, 1840-1916 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Dana, Richard Henry, 1851-1931 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Davis, J. C. Bancroft (John Chandler Bancroft), 1822-1907 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Davis, Noah, 1818-1902 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Dodge, W. E. (William Earl), 1832-1903 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Douglas, Robert M (Robert Martin), 1849-1917 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Eyre, Edward, 1851-1937 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Fish, Hamilton, 1808-1893 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Fish, Stuyvesant, 1851-1923 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Frye, William P (William Pierce), 1831-1911 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Gorman, Arthur P (Arthur Pue), 1839-1906 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Grace, Joseph Peter, 1872-1950 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Grace, Michael Paul, 1842-1920 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Grace, William Russell, 1832-1904 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Guardia, Tomás, 1831-1882 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Hallock, Charles, 1834-1917 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Harding, B. L CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Havemeyer, William Frederick, 1850-1913 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Hay, John, 1838-1905 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Holt, Henry, 1840-1926 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Hornblower, William B (William Butler), 1851-1914 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Ingersoll-Rand Company CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Jarvis, Thomas Jordan, 1836-1915 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Lamont, Daniel Scott, 1851-1905 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Loomis, Francis B (Francis Butler), 1861-1948 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
McCall, John A (John Augustine), 1849-1906 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
McClellan, George B (George Brinton), 1865-1940 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
McKinley, William, 1843-1901 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Milliken, Seth Mellen, 1836-1920 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Mills, Darius O. (Darius Ogden), 1825-1910 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Montt, Pedro CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Morgan, J. Pierpont (John Pierpont), 1837-1913 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Palmer, William Jackson, 1836-1909 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Pan American-Grace Airways CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Peruvian Corporation, Limited CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Phelan, James D (James Duval), 1861-1930 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Porter, David D. (David Dixon), 1813-1891 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Porter, John Addison, 1856-1900 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Prado, Mariano Ignacio, 1826-1901 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Quincy, Josiah, 1859-1919 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Robinson, Tracy, 1833-1915 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Rogers, Henry Huttleston, 1840-1909 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Sargent, A. A (Aaron Augustus), 1827-1887 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Saunders, W. L. (William Lawrence), 1856-1931 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Shearman, Thomas G (Thomas Gaskell), 1834-1900 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Sherman, J. S (James Schoolcraft), 1855-1912 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Stickney, Albert, 1839-1908 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Straus, Isidor, 1845-1912 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Straus, Oscar S (Oscar Solomon), 1850-1926 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Strobel, Edward Henry, 1855-1908 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Ward, William Lukens, 1856-1933 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Warner, John DeWitt, 1851-1925 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Watts, Frederick, 1801-1889 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Wheeler, Benjamin Ide, 1854-1927 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Williams, George Fred, 1852-1932 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Woodward, James T., -1910 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Yglesias Castro, Rafael, 1861-1924 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Zelaya, José Santos, 1853-1919 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Place
Callao (Callao, Peru) -- Commerce CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Costa Rica -- Commerce CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
London (England) -- Commerce CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
New York (N.Y.) -- Commerce CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
New York (N.Y.) -- Politics and government -- To 1898 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Nicaragua Canal (Nicaragua) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Commerce CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
South America -- Commerce CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
United States -- Emigration and immigration -- Ireland CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
United States -- Emigration and immigration -- Ireland CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
Banks and banking -- New York (State) -- New York CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Businessmen CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Canals -- Nicaragua CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Canals, Interoceanic CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Capitalists and financiers CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Charities CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Chief executive officers CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Deeds CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Executives CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Families -- New York (State) -- New York CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Families -- Peru -- Callao CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Industries -- Chile CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Industries -- Peru CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Insurance -- New York (State) -- New York CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Mayors CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Mines and mineral resources -- Chile CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Mines and mineral resources -- Peru CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Motion pictures CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Powers of attorney CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Railroads -- Costa Rica CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Real property -- New York (State) -- New York CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Scrapbooks CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Ship brokers CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Ship chandlers CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Shipping -- England CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Shipping -- South America CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Shipping -- United States CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Ships -- Equipment and supplies CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID