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Guide to the Thomas Hunt Morgan Papers, 1916-1946
Processed by Charlotte E. Erwin; machine-readable finding aid created by James Lake
Archives
California Institute of Technology
1200 East California Blvd.
Mail Code 015A-74
Pasadena, CA 91125
Phone: (626) 395-2704
Fax: (626) 793-8756
Email: [email protected]
URL: http://archives.caltech.edu
© 1998
California Institute of Technology. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Thomas Hunt
Morgan Papers, 1916-1946
1
Guide to the Thomas Hunt Morgan Papers, 1916-1946
Archives
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California
Contact Information:
Archives
California Institute of Technology
1200 East California Blvd.
Mail Code 015A-74
Pasadena, CA 91125
Phone: (626) 395-2704
Fax: (626) 793-8756
Email: [email protected]
URL: http://archives.caltech.edu
Processed by:
Charlotte E. Erwin
Date Completed:
June 1996; updated July 1998
Encoded by:
James Lake
© 1998 California Institute of Technology. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Thomas Hunt Morgan Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1916-1946
Extent: Number of containers: 10 boxes
Linear feet: 5
Repository: California Institute of Technology. Archives.
Pasadena, California 91125
Language: English.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the California Institute of Technology Archives. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Archives. Permission for publication is given on
behalf of the California Institute of Technology Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or
imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item, Box and file number], Thomas Hunt Morgan Papers, Archives, California Institute of Technology.
Biographical Sketch
Thomas Hunt Morgan (1866-1945) is best known for his study of heredity in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. He also
contributed significantly to descriptive and experimental embryology, cytology, and evolutionary theory. For his work in
establishing the chromosome theory of heredity--the idea that genes are located in a linear array on chromosomes--Morgan
was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1933.
After graduating from the University of Kentucky in 1886, Morgan undertook graduate study in zoology at Johns Hopkins
University. From there he took a position at Bryn Mawr College, where he remained until 1904, when he was offered the
chair of experimental zoology at Columbia University. At Bryn Mawr he met and married Lilian Vaughan Sampson, who was
Guide to the Thomas Hunt
Morgan Papers, 1916-1946
2
a distinguished cytologist and took an active role in her husband's work.
In 1927, Caltech officials approached Morgan, who was then 62 years old, with the proposal to come to Pasadena to set up
a new biology program. Funds were to be provided by the Rockefeller Foundation and various private donors. In 1928,
Morgan began the last phase of his career, the recruitment of a first-rate team of experimental geneticists to Caltech,
among them A. H. Sturtevant, Calvin Bridges, Theodore Dobzhansky, Albert Tyler, the Dutch biologist C. A. G. Wiersma, and
in plant genetics, Ernest Anderson and Sterling Emerson.
Scope of the Collection
The Morgan papers contain correspondence, technical and course material, papers relating to the formation of the Biology
Division at Caltech and other administrative matters, and a small amount of biographical material.
A portion of the materials relating to Morgan's career prior to Caltech have been assembled from the American
Philosophical Society (correspondence) and Princeton University (the E. G. Conklin Papers). These are in xerographic form
in Box 6.
The original arrangement and description of the collection was done in 1971 by Phoebe Sturtevant, the wife of A. H.
Sturtevant. Descriptions of the contents of folders, as well as the item counts, are hers and have been retained in the
present guide.
In 1996, files pertaining to the Marine Biology Laboratory at Corona Del Mar, originally included by Mrs. Sturtevant in the
Morgan papers, were removed to the Albert Tyler Papers. Users of the collection should consult the Tyler papers, as well as
those of C. A. G. Wiersma, and A. H. Sturtevant for further Morgan material.
Charlotte E. Erwin
Associate Archivist
Box Boxes 1-2
SECTION I: CORRESPONDENCE
Additional Note
[Four folders, 2.1-4, are not listed in Mrs. Sturtevant's original guide.]
Box-folder 1.1
Box-folder 1.2
American Philosophical Society 1935
Re: appointment to nominating committee, reply on back [1 item]
Beadle, George W. 1935-1937
Sponsoring letter from THM for Rockefeller Fellowship; also acceptance of
appointment at Caltech [4 items]
See also: Minnesota, University of
Box-folder 1.3
Bonner, James 1934-1935
His stay in Holland; one-year position offered by THM for physiological work [5
items]
Box-folder 1.4
B misc.
Baker, W. L. 1934
Re: her son Leon's death; he is the man who saved THM's life after an auto
accident [1 item]
Banta, A. M. 1935 (with honors)
Bartsch, Paul (Smithsonian Institution) 1935 [1 item]
Bateson, W. 1924-1925
Congratulatory note to THM upon receiving the Darwin Medal; discussing the
pending purchase of Darwin's house [2 items]
Belling, John L. 1932 (to L. Morgan) [1 item]
Blakeslee, A. F. 1935 [3 items]
Borsook, Henry 1933 [1 item]
re: Gaddern, Matthews and Brown
Campbell, W. W.
See: National Academy of Sciences
Box-folder 1.5
Box-folder 1.6
Carnegie Institution 1920-1935 (includes Merriam, Woodward, Wirtz, Gilbert)
Re: research grants, budget proposal, salaries, estimates [55 items]
Carnegie Institution, Drosophila exhibit 1934-1935
Box-folder 1.7
Columbia University (President Butler) 1927
Guide to the Thomas Hunt
Morgan Papers, 1916-1946
3
SECTION I: CORRESPONDENCE
THM's resignation from Columbia to accept the organization of the Department of
Biology at Caltech [3 items]
Box-folder 1.8
Box-folder 1.9
Columbia University Press (Proffitt, Rostand) 1934
Re: publication and French translation of Embryology and Genetics [7 items]
Conklin, Edwin G. 1904-1946
Re: THM's marriage plans, birth of his son in 1906; Conklin to L. Morgan
expression of sympathy and his recollections of THM [23 items]
Box-folder 1.10
Box-folder 1.11
C misc.
Cleveland, L. R.(Harvard Medical School) 1934 [1 item]
Crane, M. B. 1934 [1 item]
Darwin Medal of the Royal Society (W. B. Hardy) 1924-1925
Announcement of the award; also letter of gratitude from A. Shipley of Christ's
College Marine Biology Lab for £100 THM turned over to them [4 items]
Box-folder 1.12
Darwin Memorial (W. B. Hardy, A. Flexner) 1925-1928
Re: purchase of Down (Darwin's house) and turning it into a historical monument;
also THM to H. Osborn of American Museum of Natural History to raise funds for
the Darwin Memorial [7 items]
Box-folder 1.13
DeVries, Hugo 1918
[This photocopied letter and accompanying documents were added to the
collection in 1987.]
Box-folder 1.14
Box-folder 1.15
D misc.
Dahlgren, K. V. C. (Uppsala University) 1934 [1 item]
Fleming, Arthur H. 1927-1928
Re: THM's coming to Caltech and building of Kerckhoff, equipment and plans [39
items]
Box-folder 1.16
Box-folder 1.17
Box-folder 1.18
Box-folder 1.19
Box-folder 1.20
Flexner, Abraham 1943
Re: Dr. Gilman and his influence on THM and Johns Hopkins University [4 items]
F misc.
Fischer, W. K. (Hopkins Marine Station) 1934 [1 item]
Fowler, H. G. 1935 [1 item, reply on back]
Gager, C. Stuart 1935
Re: G. H. Shull and publication of Genetics magazine [5 items]
Goodrich, H. B. (Wesleyan University) 1935
Re: spending his sabbatical at Caltech [2 items]
G misc.
Germantown Trust Co. 1934
See: Section II, Financial matters
Box-folder 1.21
Granick, Sam (Michigan University) 1935 [2 items]
Gustafson, F. G. (Michigan University) 1935 [2 items]
Hale, George Ellery 1927-1928
Re: Rockefeller grant to establish Biology Division at Caltech with THM as head;
building of Kerckhoff, salaries, etc. [52 items]
Box-folder 1.22
H misc.
Hardy, W. B. 1924-1925
See: Darwin Medal
Box-folder 1.23
Guide to the Thomas Hunt
Morgan Papers, 1916-1946
Harrison, Ross G. (Yale University) 1934 [2 items]
Haselden, Reginald B. (Huntington Library) 1935 [2 items]
Hoagland, Hudson (Clark University) 1934 [2 items]
Holmgren, Gustav (Karolinska Inst.) 1934
See: Section II, Nobel Prize
Hopkins County Assessor 1929
See: Section II, Financial matters
Huettner, A. F. (New York University) 1934 [3 items]
Hugentobler, Louise 1935
THM's secretary at Columbia, her death and settling of her estate [5 items]
Hurst, C. C. 1925 [1 item]
J misc.
Jaffe, Bernard (from THM) 1934 [2 items]
4
SECTION I: CORRESPONDENCE
Re: biography to be published in Outposts of Science
Jones, D. F. (Genetics magazine) 1934-1935 [7 items]
Re: Bridges' manuscript of salivary chromosome and Painter's letter of
outburst regarding editorial practices
Box-folder 1.24
Knoefl, D. K. (Vanderbilt University) 1935
Re: his coming to Caltech, correspondence with Hal Davis of Harvard Medical
School regarding Knoefl's abilities [4 items]
Box-folder 1.25
Box-folder 1.26
K misc.
Kernof [sp?], J. 1937
L misc.
Lambert, W. V. (Iowa State College) 1935
Invitation to THM to lecture [1 item]
Lawton, G. L. (Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology) 1934 re: publication of
article by THM [2 items]
Li, J. C. (Yenching University) 1934-1935
Re: Li's visit to Caltech, fellowship from the China Foundation [3 items]
Liljestrand, C. 1934
See: Section II, Nobel Prize
Luck, J. M. (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1935, invitation
to address the meeting of the Pacific Division [1 item, reply on back]
Box-folder 1.27
Millikan, Robert A. 1927-1930
Invitation to come to Caltech, salary, capital to start Biology library; letter to Max
Mason asking the General Education Board to raise $4 million [14 items]
Box-folder 1.28
Box-folder 1.29
Minnesota, University of (Dean Johnston) 1934
Re: the abilities of Beadle and Rhoades [3 items]
M misc.
Mason, Max 1930
See: Millikan and Rockefeller files
Merriam, J. C. 1927
See: Carnegie Institution
Box-folder 1.30
Myers, Earl (Scripps Institute) 1935 [1 item]
National Academy of Sciences (W. W. Campbell, president) 1934-1935
Declining to become chairman to Committee of Nominations; nominations of new
members [8 items]
Box-folder 1.31
Box-folder 1.32
National Research Council 1935 [1 item]
Nobel Nominating Committee 1934-1935
Nobel Prize
See: Section II
Box-folder 1.33
Box-folder 1.34
Noyes, Arthur A. 1927-1928
Re: THM's coming to Caltech, car for Morgan, etc. [17 items]
N misc.
Nachtsheim, H. 1935 [1 item, reply on Back] re: translation of Scientific Basis of
Evolution
Norton, W. W.
See: Nachtsheim, H
Osborn, H. F. 1928
See: Darwin Medal
Box-folder 1.35
O misc.
Osterhout, W. J. 1934 (Rockefeller Foundation) [2 items]
Box-folder 1.36
Box-folder 1.37
Pincus, G. (Harvard University) 1934 [4 items]
P misc.
Peter, A. M. (Kentucky Academy of Science) 1934 [2 items]
Proffitt, Charles G.
See: Columbia University Press
Protti, G. (International Society of Radiobiology, Venice) [7 items] re: formation of
national groups and sections of radiobiology
Box-folder 1.38
Guide to the Thomas Hunt
Morgan Papers, 1916-1946
Recommendation letters, misc.
5
SECTION I: CORRESPONDENCE
Box-folder 1.39
Box-folder 1.40
Box-folder 1.41
Box-folder 1.42
Box-folder 1.43
Rhodes Scholarship Trust (Frank Aydelotte) 1934
G. Eastman visiting professorship at Oxford for THM, 1935-1936 [9 items]
Rockefeller Foundation (Max Mason, Warren Weaver) 1933-1936
Re: funds for development of Division of Biology at Caltech [54 items]
Rowan, William (University of Alberta) 1934-1935
Re: the homing instinct of pigeons and his visit to Caltech [9 items]
Royal Society Publications (A. V. Hill) 1935
Re: papers by Borsook and Keighley [1 item]
R misc.
Rasmussen, J. (Mendelska Sallskapet) 1934
Invitation to lecture at the Mendelian Society of Lund [1 item]
Redfield, Alfred C. (editor of Biological Bulletin) 1935 re: publication of some
papers of THM [2 items]
(See also: Thimann, Kenneth)
Robinson, Victor (Encyclopedia sexualis) 1934
Re: article on Mendelism and genetics [5 items]
Rostand, J.
See: Columbia University Press
Box-folder 1.44
Roth, H. D. de
Re: Morgan's visit to Stockholm [1 item]
S misc.
Shipley, A. S.
See: Darwin Medal
Skinker, C. F.
See: American Philosophical Society
Box-folder 1.45
Box-folder 2.1
Strong, Leonell 1934-1935
Re: job possibilities [4 items]
Summer, F. B. 1935 [2 items]
T misc.
Taliaferro, W. H. (University of Chicago) 1935
Re: Dr. Lillie's portrait [2 items]
Tan, C. C. 1934 re: Rockefeller Fellowship
Thimann, Kenneth (Caltech) 1935
Invitation to lecture at Harvard from A. C. Redfield [1 item]
V misc.
Van Harreveld, A. 1934
Van Overbeek, J. 1934
Box-folder 2.2
Box-folder 2.3
Box-folder 2.4
Box-folder 2.5
Vaughan, T. Wayland 1935
Vavilov, N. 1935
Went, F. A. F. C. and F. W. 1931-1934
Wiersma, C. A. G. 1934
W misc.
Wodsedalek, J. E. 1935
Wilson, E. B. 1927
Yale University Press 1928
Box Box 2
Box-folder 2.6
Agreement for the publication of The Theory of the Gene [1 item]
SECTION II: BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL
Articles
Box-folder 2.7
Box-folder 2.8
Box-folder 2.9
Box-folder 2.10
Box-folder 2.11
Box-folder 2.12
Box-folder 2.13
Box-folder 2.14
Biographical notes and material
Family correspondence and miscellaneous
Financial matters 1928-1934
Honors, misc.
Nobel Prize 1933-1934
Obituary notice, French Academy of Science 1946
Photographs
Reviews of books and articles by THM
Box-folder 2.15
Talks and speeches 1886-1938
Guide to the Thomas Hunt
Morgan Papers, 1916-1946
6
SECTION III: MATERIAL RELATED TO CALTECH
Box Box 2
Box-folder 2.16
Box-folder 2.17
Box-folder 2.18
SECTION III: MATERIAL RELATED TO CALTECH
General material
Auditor's report on Caltech 1934
Executive Council meetings 1928-1935
Division of Biology
Kerckhoff Biology Laboratory, building of (Mayers, Murray, Philip, Architects),
sketches and correspondence 1927
Box-folder 2.19
Box-folder 2.20
Proposed budgets, expenses, balance sheets 1930-1935
Correspondence, memos re: salaries, travel expenses, appointments, positions (E.
C. Barrett) 1933-1943
Box-folder 2.21
Box-folder 2.22
Box-folder 2.23
Box-folder 2.24
Equipment, furnishings 1934-1935
Project reports 1934-1935
Research proposals ca 1930s
Expense Day Book 1932-1935
Box-folder 2.25
Box Boxes 3-10
Box-folder 3.1
Box-folder 3.2
Box-folder 3.3
Box-folder 3.4
Biology I laboratory texts. n.d.
SECTION IV: RESEARCH AND LECTURE MATERIAL
Box-folder 3.5
Box-folder 3.6
Box-folder 3.7
Box-folder 3.8
Box-folder 3.9
Box-folder 4.1
Notebooks 1886-1941
Chemistry lab manual, Johns Hopkins 1886
Notebook 1920
"Heat on Spermatozoa," Woods Hole, 1925
"References, Chromosomes, Inheritance acquired characters, Darwinism,
Genetics" 1925
Drosophila experiments and drawings by Miss Wallace 1925
Mariposa Lilies 1928-1929
Drosophila 1929
Drosophila under different conditions 1930, 1932, 1934
"Flies in CO 2," 1933, and misc.
Lecture notes
Experimental Zoology 1913-1914; printed "Critique of The Theory of Evolution"
1916
Box-folder 4.2
Box-folder 4.3
Box-folder 4.4
Box-folder 4.5
Box-folder 4.6
Box-folder 4.7
Box-folder 4.8
Experimental Zoology 1916-1917, 1918
Experimental Embryology 1920-1921; 1921 class list
Tropism 1922
Genetics and misc. 1922-1928
Genetics 1923, 1924, 1926
Instincts 1925
Experimental Embryology 1927, with notes in another hand, possibly one of THM's
daughters; offprint from Science by Frank Lillie, 1927
Box-folder 4.9
Box-folder 4.10
Notes on Drosophila mutant 1930-1934
Lecture notes and notes on C. Darwin, n.d.
Box-folder 4.11
Miscellaneous
Commentaries on papers by Conklin, by THM's students Plunkett, Linton, Schultz
1924
Box Box 5
Box Box 6
Photocopies of lecture and lab notes 1916-1926 [8 folders]
Photocopies of Morgan manuscripts from the E. G. Conklin papers, Princeton
University Library; photocopies of Morgan papers from the American Philosophical
Society Library
Box Boxes 7-10
Experimental data and manuscripts on Ciona, Styela, Chaetoperus, Cuningia and
Drosophila 1930-1945 [4 boxes]
Guide to the Thomas Hunt
Morgan Papers, 1916-1946
7