The naturalist Spencer Fullerton Baird worked as Assistant Secretary and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1850 until his death in 1887. A prolific collector and writer, Baird made important contributions to American ornithology, mammalogy, and herpetology, completing three monumental works, The Mammals of North America (Philadelphia, 1859), Birds of North America (Philadelphia, 1860), written with John Cassin, and History of North American Birds (Boston, 1874-1884), 5 vols., with Brewer and Robert Ridgway. The Baird Collection includes twelve letters written by Baird to the Boston printing firm, Welch, Bigelow and Co., all regarding editorial details in printing of the History of North American Birds.