I. I. Rabi papers, 1908-1998, bulk circa 1940s-1980s

Creator:: Rabi, I. I (Isidor Isaac), 1898-1988
Extent:: 24.5 linear feet (12 record storage cartons, 4 manuscript boxes, 6 oversize flat boxes, 1 scroll box, and 1 map case folder)
Language:: English .
Scope and content:: The bulk of the collection relates to awards, honorary degrees, and other honors bestowed on I. I. Rabi during the latter half of his career. It contains correspondence, manuscript drafts, pamphlets, lectures, articles, interviews, reports, panel discussions, transcripts, books, and conference materials about Rabi's work. Includes photographs, VHS recordings, audiocassettes, scrapbooks, and press clippings related to his career. Subjects include science, atomic energy and weapons, peace, education, NATO, history, government, world affairs, and honors. Also includes awards, honorary degrees, certificates, medals, and other memorabilia. In addition, correspondence regarding his estate, the awards established in his honor, and related memorials. These were the materials that I.I. Rabi's widow, Helen Newmark Rabi, did not donate to the Library of Congress but kept as her own mementos.
Biographical / historical:: Isidor Isaac Rabi (1898-1988) was an American physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1944 for his discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance, which is used in magnetic resonance imaging. He was also one of the first scientists in the United States to work on the cavity magnetron, which is used in microwave radar and microwave ovens. He was the first professor at Columbia University in New York to attain the rank of University Professor in 1964. During World War II, Rabi took part in development of the atomic bomb. After the war he promoted peace and the limiting of nuclear weapons. He also played a significant role in establishing major research laboratories in Brookhaven and at CERN. Isidor Isaac Rabi married Helen Newmark in 1926; the couple had two daughters.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Nancy Rabi Lichtenstein, 2005, and Chauncey G. Olinger, Jr., 2021.

Processing information:

Collection-level record describing unprocessed material made public in summer 2018 as part of the Hidden Collections initiative.

Assessed October 2022 by Celeste Brewer. Loose materials were foldered and a box level inventory was created. Collection can be made available without further intervention.

There is no Box 13 in this collection. Those materals are stored in mapcase 13-J-5.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Physical location:

Boxes 1-8 and 15-22 are located at ReCAP. Boxes 9-12, 14, and 23 are located on site. There is no Box 13 in this collection; those materials are located in map case 13-J-5.

Related material:

I.I. Rabi papers, 1899-1989: The bulk of Rabi's papers, located at the Library of Congress.

Location of originals:

The contents of Boxes 15-20 are all photocopies that appear to have been made at the same time. The location of the originals is not documented, but they are likely among Rabi's papers at the Library of Congress.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Material is unprocessed, but can be made available without further review. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Boxes 1-8 and 15-22 are 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.

All original copies of audio and moving image media are closed until reformatting. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized. Email rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

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); I. I. Rabi Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
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

Collection