Lynn Thorndike papers, 1902-1963

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

• Series I: Texts in the History of Natural and Occult Sciences
• Series II: Books

Description

Summary

Papers of Thorndike, consisting of correspondence, mansucripts, diaries, notes, photocopies of medieval scientific manuscripts, glass slides, books, pamphlets, and reprints. The correspondence relates to his scholarly research and publication in the field of the history of medieval science. Also, some family and personal correspondence. One half of the collection consists of photostatic copies of manuscripts Thorndike indexed in his major work, A CATALOGUE OF INCIPITS OF MEDIAEVAL SCIENTIFIC WRITINGS IN LATIN (1963), the first draft, final copy, galley proofs, related correspondence, and extensive card files of notes used in compiling the work. There is also a typescript of the 1937 edition. Thorndike's 76 volumes of personal diaries, 1902-1963, detail his daily activities, appointments, trips abroad, and lists of reading. In addition there are his other manuscripts for journal articles and book reviews.

• Series I: Texts in the History of Natural and Occult Sciences

  The numbers below refer to descriptions published in Medievallia Humanistica. Volume 13, 1960 and Progress of Medieval and Renaissance Studies in the United States and Canada. Bulletin No. 20, 1949.

• Series II: Books

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

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.

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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); Lynn Thorndike 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.

Reproduction Note

Type of reproduction--Photostatic copies in part

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Thorndike, Lynn. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1963. Accession number--M-63.

Gift of Lynn Thorndike, 1963. Bequest of the estate, 1965. Gift of Robert Thorndike, 1980.

Publications About Described Materials

Thorndike, Lynn and Pearl Kibre. A Catalogue of Incipits of Mediaeval Scientific Writings in Latin. Cambridge, Mass. : The Mediaeval Academy of America, 1937 (also 1963 revised edition).

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 09/--/89.

Processed in 1963; Revised by Bernard Crystal, 1972; Revised by Bernard Crystal, 12/1980

Revision Description

2010-03-30 Legacy finding aid created from Pro Cite.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Professor of history at Columbia University. Columbia University A.M., 1903; Ph.D., 1905.

Born in Lynn, MA on 24 July 1882, Thorndike was an authority on medieval history and science. He taught history at Columbia University from 1924 until 1952, when he retired as professor emeritus. He was a fellow of the Medieval Academy of America and helped to found the History of Science Society. Thorndike was also president of the American Historical Association from 1954 to 1955. His major work, A History of Magic and Experimental Science, consists of eight volumes. Thorndike also wrote college textbooks, including The History of Medieval Europe; Place of Magic in the Intellectual History of Europe; A Short History of Civilizations; and Michael Scott, a biography of a medieval scientist published in 1965. He died in New York on 28 December 1965.