DRAPER, John W.

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Petition of the Medical Faculty of the University of the City of New-York, to the Honorable the Senate and Assembly of the State of New-York, for the Legalization of Anatomy. First edition, presentation copy linking two influential New York scientific and civic figures, inscribed by the author at the head of the front wrapper, "Peter Cooper Esq., with Dr Draper's respects". The two men were co-founders of the American Photographical Society in 1859, and Draper was the guest speaker at the ribbon-cutting of Cooper's philanthropic school, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.The faculty of the University of the City of New York was a driving force behind the legalization of anatomy, to provide much-needed cadavers for research and to quash the black market for illegally excavated bodies, and the legislation, known as the "Bone Bill", was narrowly passed in 1854. John W. Draper (1811-1882) taught chemistry, physiology, and natural philosophy at the university from 1838 to 1882, serving as faculty president from 1850 to 1873. "One of the most gifted experimenters of the last century" (Trombino, p. 565) and a civic leader, Draper also pioneered scientific photography, serving as the first president of the American Photographical Society and taking the first known picture of the moon.During his eventful life, Peter Cooper made breakthroughs in many different scientific fields, designing and driving America's first steam-powered locomotive, inventing the condensed

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