The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1831

The second volume of the American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge (1831).

This is a fascinating compilation of astronomical observations, historical information, and meteorological estimations published in Boston by Gray and Bowen in 1831. It is the second volume of the American Almanac and Repository, issued under various editors until the early 1860s.

The contents of the book are organized into two parts. The first presents a wealth of information regarding the February 12th solar eclipse, including a fold-out map of the United States that shows its course from the border with Mexico to Nova Scotia. The second part, emphasizing civics, can perhaps best be described by the Preface;

“The Second Part of the present volume is particularly characterized by containing a view of the general and state governments, the constitution of the United States, the executive government, the national legislature and judiciary, outlines of the constitutions of the several states, and complete lists of their governors from the first organization of the respective governments.”

Similar details are also provided for many of the world’s leading nations. The almanac concludes with a 4-page celebration of Temperance Societies across America and a calendar of important events of 1830 (up to November). There are numerous contemporary news articles and excerpts (up to 1835) tucked into various pages of the volume, including a $35 reward for a lost horse & gig.