Paul Tulane papers, 1791-1974 | Louisiana Research Collection

By Jazmin Smith

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Collection Overview

Title: Paul Tulane papers, 1791-1974

Predominant Dates:1801-1887

ID: LaRC/Manuscripts Collection 49

Primary Creator: Tulane, Paul, 1801-1887.

Extent: 5.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged by topic, then chronologically. It consists of 5 boxes. It is 3 linear feet.

Subjects: New Orleans (La.) -- Commerce., New Orleans (La.) -- History., Philanthropists -- United States., Tulane, Paul, 1801-1887., Tulane family., Tulane University.

Forms of Material: Biographies., Correspondence., Financial records., Genealogies., Legal documents., Photographs., Property records.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection consists of the personal and business papers of Paul Tulane, the nineteenth-century American businessman and philanthropist. Included are legal and financial papers, inventories of his real estate holdings, promissory notes, social and business correspondence, genealogical information relating to the Tulane family, newspaper clippings, memorabilia, portraits, photographs and negatives.

Biographical Note

Paul Tulane was born on May 6, 1801, of French parents, near Princeton, New Jersey. In 1822, he travelled to New Orleans to follow job opportunies, and conducted commercial business throughout the southern states. By 1827, he established the firm of Paul Tulane and Company in New Orleans, which engaged in retail and wholesale trade of dry goods and clothing. He amassed a fortune in commerce as well as investing in real estate in both Louisiana and New Jersey, anticipating the disruption of the Civil War. After residing in New Orleans for fifty one years, Paul Tulane retired from business, returning to Princeton, where he lived austerely until his death on March 27, 1887. He is remembered primarily for being a philanthropist, having given generously to a variety of religious, charitable, and educational organizations. The predominant recipient of his generosity was the University of Louisiana, founded in 1834 in New Orleans, which was later renamed Tulane University.

Subject/Index Terms

New Orleans (La.) -- Commerce.
New Orleans (La.) -- History.
Philanthropists -- United States.
Tulane, Paul, 1801-1887.
Tulane family.
Tulane University.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Alternate Extent Statement: 3 linear feet

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. No known restrictions.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Acquisition Source: Various donors.

Preferred Citation: Paul Tulane papers, Manuscripts Collection 49, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: Original finding aid prepared by Jeanine A. Eckholdt. First created in Archon on 5/6/2010. Updated with creator and subject headings on 7/23/2010.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid information entered by LAC Group in 2011. Revised by LAC Group 10/19/11.

Other Note: OCLC Number: 639335235

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Correspondence, genealogy and biographical material, newspaper clippings, and portraits and photographs],
[Box 2: Legal records],
[Box 3: Legal and financial records and other papers],
[Box 4: Volumes, [1796-1842], undated, [1874-1891]],
[Box 5: Other papers],
[All]

Box 4: Volumes, [1796-1842], undated, [1874-1891]

The section of volumes includes an account and letterbook of Louis Tulane in which he maintained records in French and English of merchandise shipped to relatives in the United States and of copies of letters he wrote, many of which were to his son, Paul. (1796-1842). In addition there is an arithmetic exercise book reputed to belong to Paul Tulane, but with the notation, "by James Little" appearing several times throughout the book (undated), a ledger containing lists of stocks, bonds, mortgages, deeds held by Paul Tulane (undated), and a ledger of Paul M. Tulane and George O. Vanderbilt, containing a list of Tulane's notes and mortgages and itemized list of his household effects. (1874-1891).

Folder 1: Volumes, [1796-1842], undated, [1874-1891]
Folder 2: Volumes, [1796-1842], undated, [1874-1891]
Folder 3: Volumes, [1796-1842], undated, [1874-1891]
Folder 4: Volumes, [1796-1842], undated, [1874-1891]

Tulane University Special Collections