Bacon cipher collection

id
589
origination
N/A
date statement
1893-1948
key date
1893
identifier (local_mss)
176
org unit
Manuscripts and Archives Division
call number
MssCol 176
b-number
b11628269
total components
33
total series
0
max depth
2
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2013-04-01 14:58:57 UTC
updated
2026-08-14 02:04:46 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"MssCol 176", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"176", "type"=>"local_mss"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Bacon cipher collection"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1893-1948", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1893/1948"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"30 linear feet (30 boxes, 3 packages)"}], "supress_display"=>true}
date_inclusive_start
1893
date_inclusive_end
1948
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>The Bacon cipher theory was formulated by individuals who sought to translate codes alleged to exist in the writings of Sir Francis Bacon. Two separate codes, the \"Word Cipher\" discovered by Orville W. Owen and the \"Biliteral Cipher\" discovered by Elizabeth W. Gallup, purport to contain secret messages revealing that Bacon was the son of an undisclosed marriage between Queen Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester. In addition, the deciphered messages state that Bacon was the author of works usually attributed to Shakespeare, Robert Burton, Marlowe, and others. George Fabyan, a Chicago businessman, purchased the rights to Owen's work, hired Mrs. Gallup, and established the Riverbank Laboratory in Geneva, Illinois in order to study the codes. Fabyan published studies of cryptography and sold guides to teach the public how to decipher Bacon's code.</p>", "supress_display"=>true}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The bulk of the collection consists of transcriptions and notes used in deciphering the codes; publications by Owen, Gallup and the Riverbank Laboratory; articles on the Bacon controversy; and clippings. The Riverbank records contain transcriptions, clippings, legal documents, correspondence, student portfolios and lesson plans, publications, and reproductions used for these publications. Owen and Gallup materials include transcriptions along with lectures, articles and clippings. Also, slips for a concordance to Robert Burton's work, The Anatomy of Melancholy.</p>", "supress_display"=>true}
acqinfo
{"accession_number"=>"MSS 60M91"}
{"date"=>"11/11/60", "source"=>"Curtis, Josephine C", "method"=>"Gift", "value"=>"Gift, Curtis, Josephine C, 11/11/60"}
{"extent"=>"13 o"}
keydate
1893
prefercite
{"value"=>"Bacon cipher collection, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library"}
extent_statement
30 linear feet (30 boxes, 3 packages)
abstract
{"value"=>"The Bacon cipher theory was formulated by individuals who sought to translate codes alleged to exist in the writings of Sir Francis Bacon. Two separate codes, the \"Word Cipher\" discovered by Orville W. Owen and the \"Biliteral Cipher\" discovered by Elizabeth W. Gallup, purport to contain secret messages revealing that Bacon was the son of an undisclosed marriage between Queen Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester. In addition, the deciphered messages state that Bacon was the author of works usually attributed to Shakespeare, Robert Burton, Marlowe, and others. George Fabyan, a Chicago businessman, purchased the rights to Owen's work, hired Mrs. Gallup, and established the Riverbank Laboratory in Geneva, Illinois in order to study the codes. Fabyan published studies of cryptography and sold guides to teach the public how to decipher Bacon's code. The bulk of the collection consists of transcriptions and notes used in deciphering the codes; publications by Owen, Gallup and the Riverbank Laboratory; articles on the Bacon controversy; and clippings. The Riverbank records contain transcriptions, clippings, legal documents, correspondence, student portfolios and lesson plans, publications, and reproductions used for these publications. Owen and Gallup materials include transcriptions along with lectures, articles and clippings. Also, slips for a concordance to Robert Burton's work, The Anatomy of Melancholy.", "generated"=>true}
date_start
1893
date_end
1948

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https://nyplorg-data-archives.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/collection/pdf_finding_aid/baconcipher.pdf

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