Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1863-1934 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
21 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Agnes Chamberlin was born in Coburg, Ont., in 1833. In 1863, she began to paint studies of wild flowers to illustrate a projected book by Catherine Parr Traill on Canadian flora. Her book Canadian Wild Flowers was first published in 1868, and was eventually published in three more editions (two in 1869, and one in 1895). Nine more of her paintings were reproduced as illustrations for C.P. Traill's work, Studies of Plant Life in Canada, published in 1885. Chamberlin died in 1913.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
This collection was transferred from the University of Toronto's Botany Department to the Rare Books Department in 1966.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection includes original paintings of Canadian flora and mushrooms by Chamberlin, and subscription books for her book Canadian Wild Flowers (1868 and 1869 editions). Most of the paintings have not been reproduced. It also contains original paintings and photographs of Canadian flora and other subjects by Chamberlin's daughter, Geraldine Moodie, an album of pressed plants by Moodie, and an album of pressed ferns by Catherine Parr Trail.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Material may be requested in person at the Fisher Library Reference Desk, or in advance using our online stack retrieval request form: https://aeon.library.utoronto.ca.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
View online at https://collections.library.utoronto.ca/view/chamberlin:root.
Related units of description
View the Agnes Chamberlin digital collection at https://fishercollections.library.utoronto.ca/chamberlin_about.