2021-08-25 Guide to the Francis Dana Coman and John "Jack" Coman Family Papers, 1885-circa 1953 SPEC.PA.56.0208 Finding aid prepared by Karen Glenn; Audrey Wimbiscus; David Mezick Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2018 January; 2021 August; 2025 April This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2025-04-24T10:04-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Francis Dana Coman and John "Jack" Coman Family Papers SPEC.PA.56.0208 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.49 Cubic feet 1885-circa 1953 Dr. Francis Dana Coman served as Private First Class in the United States Army in France during World War I and the medical officer for the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition (1928-1930). John "Jack" Frederick Coman (1885-1954) was Francis Dana Coman’s older brother. Francis Dana Coman and John "Jack" Coman Family Papers, dated 1885-circa 1953, contain materials that were created, received, and/or collected by members of the Coman family, including materials that relate to Dana’s military service and career in the polar regions. Materials include photographs, correspondence, press clippings, awards, booklets, compasses, a Bible, and a pin. (1) 2.5” letter document box; (1) flat box English Coman, Francis D., 1895-1952 Coman, John Frederick, 1885-1954 Arrangement of Materials

The Francis Dana Coman and John "Jack" Coman Family Papers are arranged in two series:

Series 1: Francis Dana Coman Papers Series 2: Coman Family Papers

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.2015.0002: Robert B. Stephenson, 2015 January; Accession No. PA.2025.0008: Robert B. Stephenson, 2021 April; Accession No. PA.2025.0009: Robert B. Stephenson, 2021 May

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Francis Dana Coman and John "Jack" Coman Family Papers, SPEC.PA.56.0208, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron research, but may be used only in the University Archives Reading Room. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: David Mezick, 2025 April; Finding aid written by: Karen Glenn, 2018 January; Audrey Wimbiscus, 2021 August; David Mezick, 2025 April

 Biographical Note

Dr. Francis Dana Coman (1895-1952) served as Private First Class in the United States Army in France during World War I. He graduated from Harvard University in 1920, and Johns Hopkins Medical School in 1924. Dana then accompanied the Byrd Antarctic Expedition of 1928-1930 to Antarctica, where he served as the medical officer. He also served as the medical officer during Lincoln Ellsworth's second expedition to Antarctica in 1934-1935. Dana died while serving on a mission at the Canadian-United States Test and Development Station at Fort Churchill in Manitoba, Canada. Mount Coman in Antarctica was named after him.

Other members of the Coman family include France Dana Coman’s parents Frederick Henry Coman (1859–1927) and Evelyn Evangeline Dana Coman (1855–1927), his older brothers John "Jack" Frederick Coman (1885-1954) and Reverend Alfred Potter Coman (1893–1981).

 Scope and Contents

Francis Dana Coman and John "Jack" Coman Family Papers, dated 1885-circa 1953, contain materials that were created, received, and/or collected by members of the Coman family, including Francis Dana Coman and John “Jack” Frederick Coman. Several items relate to Francis Dana Coman's military service and career in the polar regions. Included are photographs, correspondence, press clippings, awards, booklets, compasses, a Bible, and a pin.

 Byrd Antarctic Expedition (1st: 1928-1930) Coman (Family) Coman, Francis D., 1895-1952 Coman, John Frederick, 1885-1954 United States. Army Antarctica--Discovery and exploration--American--20th century Bibles Black-and-white prints (photographs) Brothers--Family relationships--20th century Compasses (direction indicators) Families--Correspondence--20th century Medals Medicine--Practice--Polar regions--20th century Physicians--Polar regions--20th century Soldiers--American--France World War, 1914-1918--France Francis Dana Coman Papers Series 1 1917-1952 Scope and Contents

The Francis Dana Coman Papers series contains materials dated 1917-1952 that were created, received, and/or collected by Francis Dana Coman. Most of the materials relate to his military service and career in the polar regions. Included are correspondence, photographs, awards, compasses, and a bible. Materials are arranged in chronological order with items from the same date arranged alphabetically by title.

 American Field Service wallet 1 1 1917-1918 Croix de Guerre medal 2 1 1917-1918 Compasses 2 2-3 1917-1935 Coman (Francis Dana) correspondence to Jack Coman 1 2 1919 February 27 First Byrd Antarctic Expedition Bible 2 4 1928 Coman (Francis Dana) correspondence to John F. Coman during the First Byrd Antarctic Expedition 1 3 1928 September-1930 January First Byrd Antarctic Expedition postcard sent to John F. Coman 1 4 1928 September 17 Coman (Francis Dana) photographs 1 5 1931, undated Office of the Quartermaster General Certificate of Appreciation 1 6 1945 December 31 Coman (Francis Dana) newspaper clippings 1 7 1947 February 22, 1952 January 30 Coman (Francis Dana) correspondence to Jack and Molly Coman 1 8 1947 March-1952 January Hudson Bay, Canada photographs 1 9 circa 1952 Correspondence, press releases, and funeral program related to Francis Dana Coman's death 1 10 1952 January-March Coman Family Papers Series 2 1885-circa 1953 Scope and Contents

The Coman Family Papers series contains materials dated 1885-circa 1953 that were created, received, and/or collected by members of the Coman family, mainly John “Jack” Frederick Coman. Included are photographs, correspondence, booklets, and a pin. Materials are arranged in chronological order with undated material at the end.

 Coman (Frederick Henry) correspondence 1 11 1885 July 28, 1886 April 19 Coman (John Frederick) first grade class portrait photograph 1 12 1891 October 15 Coman (John Frederick) correspondence 1 13 1894 June 2 "The Calendar" Old Central School graduation booklet 1 14 1914 Polar explorers photographs including some inscribed to Jack Coman 1 15 circa 1930 Coman (John Frederick) clippings 1 16 1938, circa 1953 "The Dana Saga: Three Centuries of the Dana Family in Cambridge" by H. W. L. Dana 1 17 1941 Shield with lion rampant pin 2 5 undated