Samuel Devons papers, 1959-2004
Collection context
- Creator:
- Devons, Samuel
- Abstract:
- This collection comprises the papers of noted physicist and historian Samuel Devons (1914-2006). It includes Devons's detailed analysis of his scientific findings, articles, essays, personal and professional correspondence, photographs, and memorabilia. Other subject files, reflecting his interest in film, Sir Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Alessandro Volta, and promoting interactions among current and former university faculty during his academic tenure.
- Extent:
- 66.5 linear feet 44 record cartons, 1 document box
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
This collection is comprised of the papers of noted physicist and historian Samuel Devons (1914-2006). It includes Devons's detailed analysis of his scientific findings, articles, essays, personal and professional correspondence, photographs, and memorabilia. Other subject files reflect his interest in film, Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Alessandro Volta, and promoting interactions among current and former university faculty during his academic tenure. The Devons Papers are arranged in four series.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Samuel Devons was a renowned nuclear physicist, academic, and historian. Born in Bangor, Great Britain, on September 30, 1914, Devons enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge University at the age of 16. After graduating in 1935, he continued his studies there, earning a doctorate in 1939. During World War II, Devons served as a British intelligence officer in Germany working on defense projects before accepting a series of professorial appointments at Cambridge University, Imperial College, and the Universities of London and Manchester. In 1960, he moved to the United States to teach at Columbia University where he served as chairman of the Physics department from 1963-1967. An acclaimed scholar of physics, he specialized in the works of Franklin, Rabi, Volta, Rutherford, and Newton.
During the 1980s, Devons organized and served as president of the Joseph Priestley Society at Columbia. The group was created to promote collaborative interactions between high school science teachers and university faculty. Devons retired in 1984 but remained actively involved with the university, serving as Emeritus Professor and was widely recognized as the macebearer for its annual Commencement ceremonies. In the late 1990s, he founded the Emeritus Professors in Columbia (EPIC), which was devoted to fostering open dialogue and communication among current and former faculty members as an alternative to increasing administrative centralization.
Devons died of congestive heart failure at the age of 92 on December 6, 2006 in Manhattan.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
Materials related to students or containing student grades are restricted for 75 years from date of creation.
All original copies of audio / moving image media are closed until reformatting.
- Terms of access:
-
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Samuel Devons Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu