Bergen Davis papers, 1898-1960
Summary Information
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#0327
- Bib ID:
- 4078681 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Davis, Bergen, 1869-1958
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 1.83 linear feet (2 manuscript boxes and one record carton)
- 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.
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The following boxes are located offsite: Boxes 2-3. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least two business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Description
Summary
Professional papers of Davis, including correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, memorabilia, and printed materials. The correspondence consists chiefly of Davis' typescript carbons of his letters to Columbia colleagues, other physicists, and other individuals at various manufacturers of equipment. The topics covered deal with Columbia students, faculty, course and research work, and his life long interest in the study of x-rays. The majority of these files cover the years 1914 to 1921 and 1932 to 1936. The cataloged letters include one each from Michael I. Pupin, Isidor I. Rabi, and Robert Simpson Woodward, one lengthy letter from Davis, and ten letters from Nicholas M. Butler. Also included are letters from Marie Clark Davis relating to the research of Lucy J. Hayner and Harold Webb for Webb's biography of Davis that appeared in the National Academy of Sciences' BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS (v. 34, 1960) along with extensive notes, bibliographies and manuscript and typescript versions of Webb's article. There are also manuscripts, typescripts, and notes by Davis relating to his research and writings, photographs of Davis and of his x-ray spectograph, and clippings and memorabilia of his life and work.
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Series III: Addition, 1901-1955
The records in this series were transferred from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library to the University Archives in 1997. In Fall 2020, they were reunited with the rest of the collection. These records include photographs, articles, correspondence, and writings by Prof. Davis.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series.
- Series I: Correspondence, 1914-1954
- Series II: Documents and Photographs
- Series III: Addition, 1901-1955
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
Rbml Advance Appointment
The following boxes are located offsite: Boxes 2-3. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least two 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
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); Bergen Davis 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
Gift of the Columbia University Physics Department, 1978; transferred from the Pegram Papers, 1979.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Source of acquisition--Physics Department. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1978. Accession number--M-78.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 06/--/89.
Revision Description
2012-05-22 xml document instance created by Judi Zupnick
2019-05-20 EAD was imported Spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
2020-10-29 Added Series III. Addition, formerly part of the University Archives' Department of Physics records (UA# 0021).
Biographical Note
Professor of Physics, Columbia University, 1903-1939 (Columbia University A.M., 1900; Ph.D., 1901; D.D. Sc., 1929). Married Marie Clark in 1927.
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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