Louis Planck Hammett papers, 1921-1986
Summary Information
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#0549
- Bib ID:
- 4078526 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Hammett, Louis P. (Louis Plack), 1894-1987
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 3 linear feet (6 boxes 1 oversize folder)
- Language(s):
- English .
- Access:
- You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
-
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.
This collection has no restrictions.
Description
Scope and Content
Correspondence, manuscripts, documents, memorabilia, clippings, printed materials, and cassette tapes. Hammett's correspondence covers his retirement years, 1961-1986 and deals with translations and revised editions of his major works: Solutions of Electrolytes (1929), Physical Oraganic Chemistry (1940), and Introduction to the Study of Physical Chemistry (1952); congratulatory letters to Hammett upon his receiving various awards, including a letter from John F. Kennedy; congratulatory letters from Hammett to colleagues on their work; and correspondence with younger chemists about their research. Two letters from James B. Conant from 1947 constitute the only early correspondence. Manuscripts are comprised of Hammett's lectures and speeches given before meetings of scientists, 1961-1970; an oral history of Hammett by the American Institute of Physics (1978); papers given by various chemists at the Symposium on the History of Physical Organic Chemistry in 1983. There are also 10 cassette recordings of the above symposium.
Subject files contain correspondence, documents, and clippings dealing with Hammett's professional associations, plus a file of clippings on nuclear disarmament. Printed materials are reprints of Hammett's articles from scientific journals, 1921-1966, including the 1937 article in which he first described his formula for determining chemical reaction rates, known as the "Hammett Equation." Memorabilia contains certificates, awards, and an honorary degree from Columbia University. Also included are Hammett's notes and manuscript for his 1970 book, Physical Organic Chemistry.
Arrangement
Material is divided into five series.
- Series I: Correspondence
- Series II: Subject Files
- Series III: Manuscripts
- Series IV: Printed Material
- Series V: Memorabilia
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
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.
This collection has no restrictions.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Single photocopies 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); Louis Planck Hammett papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Ownership and Custodial History
Transfer from the Chemistry Department, 1987.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Source of acquisition--Chemistry Department. Method of acquisition--Transfer; Date of acquisition--07/24/87. Accession number--M-87-07-24.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Processed 03/31/88.
Revision Description
2009-06-26 File created.
2013-04-02 xml document instance created by Carrie Hintz
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
Biographical sketch
Louis Planck Hammett, 1894-1987 (Ph.D. 1923, Columbia), professor at Columbia University, 1920-1961; Mitchell Professor of Chemistry Emeritus, 1961-1987. Hammett taught graduate and undergraduate courses in Quantitative Analysis, Physical Chemistry, and Physical Organic Chemistry. Hammett's chief research interests lay in the application of the quantitative methods of physical chemistry to the problems of theoretical organic chemistry.
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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