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.

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

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.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into two series.

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

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 / Historical

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.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Photographs CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
Butler, Nicholas Murray, 1862-1947 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Columbia University -- Faculty CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Columbia University -- Students CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Hayner, Lucy Julia, 1898-1971 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Pegram, George Braxton, 1876-1958 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Pupin, Michael, 1858-1935 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Rabi, I. I (Isidor Isaac), 1898-1988 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Webb, H. B (Harold B.) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Woodward, Robert Simpson, 1849-1924 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
Physics -- Study and teaching CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
X-rays -- Research CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID