Manuscript Collection

Abstract

Edward Cecil "Ned" Barrett was for many years the only business officer of the California Institute of Technology and of its forerunner institution, Throop University/Polytechnic Institute. The collection contains historical and administrative documents relating to the early years of Caltech and Throop, as well as correspondence of Caltech's founders and early leaders, including A. A. Noyes, James A. B. Scherer, Arthur Fleming, George Ellery Hale, and Robert A. Millikan.

Abstract

Harry Bateman was a mathematical physicist and professor of physics, mathematics and aeronautics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech, originally Throop College), 1917-1946. The collection includes his manuscripts on binomial coefficients, notes on integrals and related material (much of which was later published by Arthur Erdélyi); and a small amount of personal correspondence. Also included are teaching materials and reprints.

Abstract George Wells Beadle served as Chairman of the Biology Division at the California Institute of Technology (1946-1961); President of the University of Chicago (1961-1968); recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Nobel Prize in Physiology for his studies in genetics (1958); member of councils and boards both in government and the private sector; awarded honorary degrees from many universities, including Yale (1947), Oxford (1959), Brown (1964) and The University of Michigan...

Abstract The Arnold Beckman materials are primarily printed matter relating to Beckman's philanthropy, including newspaper clippings, photos, albums and scrapbooks. There are also two archival boxes of biographical newspaper clippings from the 1950s through 1989. Although there is only a small amount of correspondence (less than one archival box), many of the correspondents are noteworthy figures, including several politicians. The three storage cartons contain photo albums and scrapbooks. The...

Abstract

Eric Temple Bell was professor mathematics at Caltech from 1926 to 1953. He was a specialist in the theory of numbers. He also distinguished himself as a writer of science fiction under the name of John Taine, and also as the author of non-fiction and poetry. His papers include literary and scientific manuscripts; correspondence, largely with publishers; and some reprints of his own scientific publications.

Abstract Seymour Benzer (1921-2007) first came to Caltech in 1949. He held the James G. Boswell Professorship of Neuroscience from 1975 to 1993. A selection of his correspondence, research notes, technical files, reprints, manuscripts and writings form the collection known as the Seymour Benzer Papers in the Archives of the California Institute of Technology. Benzer was awarded the Crafoord Prize in 1993 for his pioneering genetical and neuropsychological studies on behavioral mutants in the fruit...

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.

Scope and Content

The Henry Borsook papers consist of correspondence, manuscripts, and notes from his time as professor of biochemistry.

Abstract Ira Sprague Bowen (1898-1973) Astrophysicist; Director, Mt. Wilson Observatory, 1946-1964; Professor of Physics, Caltech 1926-45. Much of his physics research was concerned with studies of spectral lines and spectroscopy; in the 1930s his interests turned more to astronomy and astrophysics and he devised many new instruments and techniques for observational astronomy. Papers include correspondence (ca. 1933-47), notebooks (many from his years at University of Chicago, 1916-21), articles,...

Abstract Norman H. Brooks, Caltech James Irvine Professor of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Emeritus; Member of National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, taught at Caltech for over forty years. Brooks retired from teaching in 1995. The Norman H. Brooks papers illustrate Brooks' contributions to the field of fluid turbulence and diffusion and environmental fluid mechanics, particularly ocean pollution control and consist of reports, research, historical documents from...

Abstract The personal and organizational correspondence, working papers, notebooks, and manuscripts of John P. Buwalda (1886-1954) form the the bulk of the collection known as the John P. and Imra Wann Buwalda Papers in the Archives of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The writings of Imra Wann Buwalda, wife of John P. Buwalda, on the history of Caltech, the subject of earthquakes, and miscellaneous family and professional papers connected to her work as a policewoman form a subgroup...

Scope and Contents

The California Graduate School of Design (1937-41) and the California Institute of Technology Industrial Design Section (1941-49) papers contain student files, correspondence, and documents regarding the formation and operation of the two schools.