Charles Finney Cox papers

Charles Finney Cox (1846-1912) was one of the incorporators of the New York Botanical Garden as named in its 1891 charter granted by the New York State Legislature. Subscription to the guarantee fund required by this charter was successfully accomplished largely through his efforts. An active advocate for the establishment of the Garden, he was appointed one of the original members of the Board of Managers, and served as Treasurer of the Board from 1899 until his death.

Born on Staten Island, he attended the College of the City of New York and received an A.B. degree from Oberlin College. He would later receive honorary degrees from both Oberlin and Lafayette Colleges. Having no scientific background, he had a keen interest in all areas of the natural sciences. He was an active member of many scientific associations and societies. He served as President of the New York Microscopical Society in 1888, the Council of the Scientific Alliance of New York from 1891-1906, and of the New York Academy of Sciences in 1908 and 1909. Greatly interested in microscopy and microbiology, he served as Chairman of the Charity Organization Society's Committee on the Prevention of Tuberculosis. He donated his collection of microscopes to the Garden. Cox's brother, Jacob Dolson Cox, served as Secretary of War under the Grant Administration and later as Governor of Ohio. The Cox brothers shared an interest in microphotography and examples of their work are included in this collection. Cox's other interests include faith healing, a subject upon which he lectured, and magic and the occult. In November 1907, he sold a portion of his valuable library of books on magic and the occult through the Sotheby Wilkinson & Hodge auctioneers.