This page outlines where to locate music manuscripts, correspondence, and other biographical materials by and related to Leopold and his wife, Helene Damrosch (née von Heimburg), in the Music Division's collections. Researchers should take note that although Leopold's correspondence and music manuscripts can be found primarily in the Damrosch–Tee Van and Mannes–Damrosch collections, published music scores as well as a number of letters and other music manuscripts are individually cataloged.

Leopold Damrosch (1832–1885) emigrated with his wife, Helene von Heimburg (1835–1904), and children to New York City in 1871. The Arion Society of New York, a German-American music society, had invited him to lead their vocal ensemble, and Leopold soon rose to prominence in his adopted home. In May of that year, he debuted as violin soloist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61, with his own cadenza.

Leopold succeeded Carl Bergmann as conductor of the New York Philharmonic in 1876, but his artistic vision—centered on programming German composers like Richard Wagner—clashed with the Philharmonic's leadership. He founded the New York Symphony Society in 1877, after having founded the Oratorio Society of New York in 1873. In 1884 he became the chief conductor of the Metropolitan Opera and began a run of all-German operas, including Wagner's Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Die Walküre, and Beethoven's Fidelio—all relatively unknown to American audiences at the time. Leopold conducted every performance except those during the last week when he became ill. He died soon after.

Throughout his life, Leopold remained a close friend and correspondent of Franz Liszt, but nearly all of Leopold's letters from the composer were lost in a fire at the Metropolitan opera in 1887 (they were stored there at the time). Liszt dedicated his Le triomphe funèbre du "Tasse" to Leopold, and the Music Division holds that manuscript.

The Music Division holds one letter, cataloged separately and described in the tabs below, from Leopold to Liszt from 1880.

Leopold Damrosch's wife Helene was a gifted opera singer. Her correspondence as well as translations into English of her husband's correspondence can also be found primarily in the Damrosch–Tee Van collection.