Thomas Addis Emmet (1826-1919)
M.D., Gynaecologist & Collector of Americana, of New York City & Virginia
He was a renowned surgeon and a leading collector of American Revolutionary manuscripts, frequently dealing through Walter Romeyn Benjamin. In 1887, he paid $700 for the only known existing letter signed by Thomas Lynch. Four years later, Benjamin assisted him in selling it to Augustin Daly for $4,000, but shortly afterwards Emmet regretted the sale and Benjamin succeeded in negotiating its return in exchange for a document signed by Lynch and two autographs by Button Gwinnett. In 1896, his entire collection was purchased by John S. Kennedy and presented to the Lenox Library which later became part of the New York Public Library. In 1929, the Lynch letter was valued at $100,000. He lived between 95 Madison Avenue, New York, and kept a winter home at Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia.
