French botanist and explorer in America, assistant to his father André Michaux, nurseryman of New Jersey and South Carolina. In 1806 Francois began his study of North American trees to be published in Paris a few years later. It was illustrated by A. J. Redouté and Bessa in stipple engraving. Later an English edition, North American Sylva was published in this country, illustrated by the same copper plates, which Wm. Maclure had purchased. Francois' interest in the American Philosophical Society was shown in his bequest of a Michaux Fund which was utilized in part to create the Michaux Memorial Grove of oaks in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.

The papers consist of 31 “Proof Prints of Michaux's Arbres Forestiers de l'Amerique”, 1810-13, an original drawing of the Norway Maple and a specimen packet cover which accompanied Michaux' herbarium specimens, of 1785-87.