William Sansom Vaux

William Sansom Vaux (May 19, 1811 – May 5, 1882) was an American mineralogist. He served as vice-president of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia from 1864 to 1882 and as president of the Zoological Society of Philadelphia. His mineral and archaeological collections were bequeathed to the Academy of Natural Sciences after his death.

Early life Vaux was born on May 19, 1811, in Philadelphia to George and Eliza H. Vaux. His ancestors were early Quaker settlers of the Province of Pennsylvania and amassed great wealth through their businesses. Vaux left the Quaker religion at a young age and joined the Episcopal Church. He inherited his parents wealth after their deaths and never engaged in business. His inheritance allowed him to dedicate his time toward the study of science and mineralogy in particular.

Career He became a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences in 1834, and served in various capacities,

In 1859, he purchased the James McBride collection of archaeological surveys, field notes and drawings of artifacts at a public auction.

Personal life

Vaux was married but his wife died several years before him. They had one son together, however he died at an early age. Vaux became infirm toward the end of his life from a disease contracted from travelling in Rome. He died on May 5, 1882, of a tumor-like growth in his abdomen

Legacy He bequeathed his mineral and archaeological collections to the Academy of Natural Sciences, along with his library and an endowment for their preservation. His collection of James McBride's archaeological surveys, field notes, and surveys has been on loan indefinitely since 1960 from the Academy of Natural Sciences to the Ohio Historical Society. by John Kirk Townsend.

In 1986, his great-nephews donated his collection of Roman glass to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.