 Despite his torpor , Edward proceeded with his tour of Europe , and met with some of the most highly esteemed scientists of the world during his travels through France , Germany , Great Britain , Ireland , Austria , Italy , and Eastern Europe , most likely with introductory letters from Leidy and Spencer Baird . In the winter of 1863 , Edward met Othniel Charles Marsh while in Berlin . Marsh , age 32 , was attending the University of Berlin . He held two university degrees in comparison to Edward 's lack of formal schooling past 16 , but Edward had written 37 scientific papers in comparison to Marsh 's two published works . While they would later become rivals , on meeting , the two men appeared to take a liking to each other . Marsh led Edward on a tour of the city , and they stayed together for days . After Edward left Berlin , the two maintained correspondence , exchanging manuscripts , fossils , and photographs . Edward burned many of his journals and letters from Europe upon his return to the United States . Friends intervened and stopped Cope from destroying some of his drawings and notes , in what author Url Lanham deemed a " partial suicide " . 
