David Brainard papers

The papers of David Legge Brainard consist of diaries, correspondence, photographs, clippings, and other material documenting Brainard's life. Some of the material documents his service as first sargeant and supply chief on the Lady Franklin Bay Expedtion of 1881-1884; the remainder documents his personal life and his career as an officer in the United States Army. Of note is a diary and record of stores Brainard kept during the final months of the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition.

The expedition, commanded by Lieutenant Adolphus W. Greely and commonly known as the Greely (Arctic) Expedition, was dispatched by the U.S. Army to establish one of the circumpolar weather stations planned by the International Polar Conferences of 1879 and 1880. Greely's station was at Fort Conger on Ellsmere Island. Brainard, along with Lieutenant James B. Lockwood and Frederik T. Christiansen, broke the record for "Farthest North" while on the expedition. The expedition ended in disaster after relief ships were unable to reach the party during the summers of 1882 and 1883. Brainard was one of six men who survived.