[Henry Coppée]
Photograph
Unidentified
Maker
[Henry Coppée]
ca. 1848
Daguerreotype
Image: 4 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. (11.4 × 8.9 cm) (1/2 plate)
Case: 6 × 4 3/4 × 1 in. (15.2 × 12.1 × 2.5 cm)
Purchase
1969.0201.0047
Inscriptions Entry 55 in Mackay's notebook (located in library): Beautiful large daguerreotype of Henry Coppée. (Capt. U.S.A.) (Oct. 13, 1821- Mar. 21, 1895.) French descent, born in Savannah, Ga. Went to Yale. Grad. of West Point in 1845. Became Capt. for gallant services in Mex. War. This beautiful photo taken about 1848 at close of Mexican War when he married Julia DeWitt, and returned to West Point as instructor of French. Resigned from army 1855. Became Prof. of Eng. & Hist. at univ. of Penn. where he taught for 11 yrs, Belonged to several famous societies, among them the Wistar Association, and wrote many famous books. Loyal to North during Civil War. In 1866 became 1st Pres. of New Lehigh Univ. Resigned for a period to concentrate on writing but Lehigh Pres. again in 1893 & served till death, 1895. Was famous soldier, educator, & writer. Wrote many textbooks & works of History, literature, military tactics, poets, etc. Was strikingly handsome & young man, and during latter years very impressive with his white hair and flowing beard. Possessed unusual charm. Was devout Christian & churchman. At time of death was regular of Smithsonian Institution. During period spent at Univ. of Penn. Coppée belonged to Wistar association (Program of Events for 1859-60 found in Daguerreotype.) This was social & educational association named after great-uncle of Isaac J. Wistar, famous Civil War general. He founded association while medical prof. at univ. of Penn. His nephew endowed it after his death, and maintained the Wistar Institute and Museum at univ. of Penn. (From Scribner’s Dict. Of Amer. Biography)
