Adney, Edwin Tappan

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1868 - 1950

Biography

Edwin Tappan Adney was born in 1868 in Athens, Ohio. In 1897, he became a correspondent for "Harper's Weekly," who sent him to the Klondike to report on the Gold Rush. He stayed in Alaska for a year and published his account "The Klondike Stampede" in 1900. While in the Yukon, he became acquainted with the merchant and trader, John J. Healy. Later Adney represented Healy in New York in an attempt to gain financial backing for the Alaska Northern Railroad. The plan was to build a railroad across Alaska to Port Clarence; and to make connections, via tunnel and bridge, with the Trans-Siberian Railroad. The railroad venture failed, and Adney became a Canadian citizen in Montreal. After serving as a lieutenant in the Canadian Army, he became a consultant for Indian Lore at McGill University. Adney died in 1950.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Edwin Adney papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss-1

Stefansson Mss-1

Date(s): 1897 to 1950

Scope and Contents

The papers of Edwin Tappan Adney contain correspondence, business records, notes and sketches on the Yukon, clippings, maps and a scrapbook chronicling his attempt to establish the Alaska Northern Railroad. An uncompleted biography of merchant and trader John J. Healy in manuscript form is also included.