Versatile American naturalist, who published on plants, mammals, reptiles, insects, crustaceans and birds. Became a U. S. Army officer, reaching the rank of Major and usually distinguished from other naturalists of the same surname, by the use of that title. Was one of the founders of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York, member of the American Philosophical Society and Vice-President of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. He was the father of the coleopterist, John Lawrence LeConte, and warm friend of John Abbot, Lewis David von Schweinitz and John Torrey.

This collection consists of photographic copies of original botanical drawings, manuscript notes and pencil drawings found in the von Schweinitz papers at the Academy.