W. R. Grace & Co. Records 1828-1986, bulk 1861-1960.
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Creator:
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W.R. Grace & Co. |
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Phys. Desc:
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90 linear ft. ( 167 boxes) |
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Call Number:
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MS#1414 |
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Location:
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Rare Book & Manuscript Library |
| Full CLIO record >> |
Biographical Note
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.
Scope and Contents
The records of the W.R. Grace & Co. cover the rise of the Grace shipping business form 1864 until the 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.
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