The original manuscript is in the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress where it was deposited by a member of the family in 1921. Much credit is due to Mrs. Minta Hull, the Admiral's great granddaughter, for her enthusiasm and untiring efforts through the years to ready a publishable manuscript and to seek publication. Upon Mrs. Hull's death the work she had done on the Autobiography and materials she had assembled came into possession of her close friend, Mrs. Evelyn S. Taber-Holt of Columbia, South Carolina.
Mrs. Taber-Holt shared Mrs. Hull's ardent desire to see the Autobiography published. In 1969 she solicited the support of Allan Nevins, distinguished historian and member of the Secretary of the Navy's Advisory Committee on Naval History. Dr. Nevins, recognizing the historical significance of the Autobiography, endorsed the project, and brought it to the attention of Rear Admiral Ernest McNeill Eller, USN (Ret.), then Director of Naval History. Admiral Eller was in full agreement with Dr. Nevins' evaluation. He acquired the Wilkes materials held by Mrs. Taber-Holt with the understanding that as time, resources and staffing permitted, every effort would be made to publish the Autobiography.
Dr. David B. Tyler, author of an excellent book, The Wilkes Expedition, kindly consented to participate in the editorial preparation of the manuscript and he made major contributions. The other co-editors, William James Morgan, Joye Leonhart and Mary Loughlin were regular staff members in the Historical Research Branch of the Naval History Division. They undertook this difficult assignment as additional duty in the midst of already imposing publication responsibilities including the multi-volume Naval Documents of the American Revolution.
To bring a work of this nature to completion requires the assistance, knowledge and cooperation of many individuals and institutions. Within the Naval History Division, and while assigned to the Historical Research Branch, Lieutenant Mary Walsh, USN, and Dr. Robert Scheina did excellent work on the Autobiography. As always, the deep knowledge and helpfulness of Miss Barbara Lynch, Navy Department Library, were invaluable. Mrs. Agnes Hoover and Mr. Charles Haberlein, of the Naval History Division's Curator Branch, provided advice and support in the search for illustrations. Particular recognition is due to Mr. Frank J. Coulter, Jr., a graduate student, employed part time in the Historical Research Branch. His search for obscure data, transcription, proofing and work on the epilogue, chronology and index were outstanding.
We are grateful to members of the Wilkes family for their aid in our quest for elusive family pictures. These included Vice Admiral W. R. Smedberg, III, USN (Ret.), Mrs. Stanley Black, Jr. and Captain Charles Wilkes Styer, USN (Ret.). A special note of thanks goes to Mr. Gilbert Wilkes, III, who kindly welcomed two staff members into his home to examine and photograph items from his extensive private collection.
The various libraries and depositories we turned to with rewarding
