Bonner, James F., 1910-1996 (Molecular Biologist)

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1910 - 1996

Biographical/Historical

Background: Caltech professor of biology, 1938-1981; instructor, 1936-38; research assistant, 1935-36; Caltech alumnus (PhD, 1934).

Biographical/Historical

Description: Bonner is best known for his work on how plant and, later, animal genes are switched on and off. In the 1930s he and his colleagues performed classic experiments on the timing of flowering, showing that some plants needed a long night to flower and that a flash of light in the dark cycle could derail the entire process. He was also important for moving science from the laboratory into public forums, writing and speaking on issues such as world resources and how molecular biology could improve people's lives.

Biographical/Historical

Collection Notes: Oral History, 1980. This 69-page oral history is the result of two interviews. It covers Bonner's life and work. Bonner also took part in a joint interview with three other members of the Biology Division.

Papers. This collection is currently unprocessed.

Photo of James Bonner (PhotoNet). Finding aid: none.

Restrictions: Limited access to unprocessed papers.

Found in 27 Collections and/or Records:

All You Wanted To Ask About Genes & Chromosomes ...

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1986-00064

Dates: 1980-10-08

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

Alumni Seminar Day 1974

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1987-00044

Dates: 1974-05-18

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

Alumni Seminar Day 1974

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 2000-00037

Dates: 1974-05-18

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

Biologists View Of Life

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1986-00060

Dates: 1976-03-10

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

Biologists View Of Life

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 2002-00075

Dates: 1976-03-10

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

Biology Division 50th Anniversary Symposium--Reunion Dinner

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1995-00039

Dates: 1978-11-02

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

Biology Oral History: Joint Interview, 1978-11-06 - 1978-11-06

Item

Scope and Contents ABSTRACT; In this 1978 informal conversation, the partcipants recall the early days of biology at Caltech under its first chairman, Thomas Hunt Morgan, including recollections of Theodosius Dobzhansky. Poulson, a professor of biology at Yale, and Caltech professor of biology Bonner describe their undergraduate and graduate education at Caltech in the early 1930s in chemistry, biology, and physics, including a botany course taught by Emerson, professor of biology emeritus. Memories of...

Dates: 1978-11-06 - 1978-11-06

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections / Caltech Oral History Interviews / Uncategorized Items

James Bonner Papers

Collection

Identifier: 10155-MS

Abstract

The papers of James Frederick Bonner (1910 – 1996), Caltech alumnus (PhD, 1934) and professor of biology, 1938-1981. His papers include a large correspondence section with colleagues and organizations worldwide, as well as writings and talks, papers about his consultancy activities, scientific and technical files and biographical material.

Dates: 1940-1996

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

Cloning

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1986-00057

Dates: 1979-05-12

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

Designer Genes On The Farm

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1986-00058

Dates: 1985-05-18

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

How To Succeed At Caltech ...

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1986-00061

Dates: 1967-09-22

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

How To Succeed At Caltech ...

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1999-00051

Dates: 1967-09-22

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

In The Footprints Of Future Man

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1986-00063

Dates: 1976-10-06

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

In the Footprints of Future Men

Digital Record

Identifier: 2022-01-25-000009

Dates: 1976-10-06

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

In the Footprints of Future Men, 1976-10-06

Item

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection is arranged by chronological order. This series started in 1922, but the first recording dates back to 1971 and since it is still ongoing, the collection continues to grow, with about 9 new lectures per academic year.These lectures feature speakers from Caltech and JPL, spotlighting a small selection of the pioneering research conducted in the fields of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Engineering and Applied Science,...

Dates: 1976-10-06

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections / Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series / Audio

James Bonner

File — Box Z4: Series II

Identifier: Z04

Dates: 19th century to present

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections / California Institute of Technology Historical Files / Series II: California Institute of Technology / Individuals

James Bonner Dinner

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 1986-00059

Dates: 1975-12-08

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

James Bonner Dinner

Unprocessed Material

Identifier: 2002-00074

Dates: 1975-12-08

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections

James Bonner Oral History Interview with Graham Berry, 1980-03-13 - 1980-03-14

Item

Scope and Contents ABSTRACT: Interview in 1980 with professor of biology James Bonner begins with his recollections of growing up in an academic family. In 1929, his father, a physical chemist at the University of Utah, was a visitor at Caltech, where Bonner enrolled as a junior. Recalls course work with X-ray crystallographer Roscoe G. Dickinson and activities of Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering under Arthur Amos Noyes; humanities courses with William B. Munro; physics with Earnest Watson,...

Dates: 1980-03-13 - 1980-03-14

Found in: California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections / Caltech Oral History Interviews / Uncategorized Items

James Bonner Oral History Interview with Graham Berry [sound recording], 1980-03-13 - 1980-03-14

Item

Scope and Contents Interview in 1980 with professor of biology James Bonner begins with his recollections of growing up in an academic family. In 1929, his father, a physical chemist at the University of Utah, was a visitor at Caltech, where Bonner enrolled as a junior. Recalls course work with X-ray crystallographer Roscoe G. Dickinson and activities of Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering under Arthur Amos Noyes; humanities courses with William B. Munro; physics with Earnest Watson, William V....

Dates: 1980-03-13 - 1980-03-14