Finding Aid to the Joshua Lederberg Papers, 1904-2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Descriptive Summary

Biographical/Historical Note

Collection Summary

Administrative Information

Restrictions

Other Descriptive Information

Series Descriptions

Series I: Biography, 1904-1999

Series II: Academic Career, 1925-1999 (bulk 1947-1978)

Series III: Correspondence, 1935-1999
Subseries: CA
Subseries: CB
Subseries: CC
Subseries: CD
Subseries: CE
Subseries: CF
Subseries: Chronological

Series IV: Research, 1941-1999

Series V: Writings, 1941-2001

Series VI: Public Service, 1929-2000

Series VII: Consulting Work, 1948-2000

Series VIII: Calendar Files (Pastcal), 1947-1999

Series IX: Photographs, ca. 1910-2002

Series X: Audiovisual Materials, 1953-2001

Series X: Audiovisual Materials, 1953-2001, 8 linear feet

The Audiovisual Materials series contains videotapes, reel-to-reel audiotapes, and cassette tapes covering a variety of topics. Many of these tapes focus on Lederberg giving lectures and speeches, being interviewed, and receiving awards. The series is divided according to format into a Videotapes sub-series, a Reel-to-Reel Audiotapes sub-series, and a cassette tapes sub-series. The originals of all reference copies are available upon request.

X.1 Videotapes, ca. early 1980’s to 2001, 3 linear feet

The Videotapes sub-series contains thirty-three videotapes that cover a variety of topics. The majority show Lederberg being interviewed, giving speeches, and receiving awards. The videotape titled “Joint Award Ceremony for National Medal of Science and Technology” might be of particular interest to researchers since it shows Lederberg receiving an award from President George H. W. Bush at the White House (1989). The rest of the videotapes in the sub-series concern the history and progress of the study of genetics and biology.

The videotapes are arranged chronologically.

X.2 Reel-to-Reel Audiotapes, 1953-1973, 2 linear feet

The Reel-to-Reel Audiotapes sub-series contains thirty-seven reel-to-reel audiotapes. Most of the audiotapes are of lectures and committee meetings. There are also a few tapes concerning the 1958 Nobel Prize.

There is one audiotape of news announcements of Lederberg receiving the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, and another audiotape of a news conference on October 31, 1958 following the announcement of the prize.

Of additional interest to researchers are ten reels labeled Westex. These reels are from a National Academy of Sciences convened committee on exobiology. The “Westex 1” first reel documents the early deliberations on the subject of what became known as exobiology. About fifteen minutes into the reel the term is coined.

The audiotapes are arranged chronologically.

X.3 Cassette Tapes, 1953-1998, 3 linear feet

The Cassette Tapes sub-series contains 124 cassette tapes that cover a variety of topics.

Please note that ninety-nine tapes in the sub-series (those beginning in Box 177 and ending at the third tape in Box 181, as well as the final twelve tapes in Box 182) were transferred from dictaphone discs to cassette tape format. Labels for these cassettes reflect information written on the original dictaphone discs and accompanying envelopes. The transfers are reference copies of the original Edison Voicewriter discs and reflect minimal audio restoration. The contents of these transferred tapes consist of Genetics 107 lectures from 1953 to 1954, thirteen Lederberg seminars, and twenty-two tapes of audio correspondence from J. Lein of Bristol Labs Inc in Syracuse, NY. The original dictaphone discs are available upon request, but the Library does not possess the equipment necessary to play them.

The remaining twenty-five tapes of the sub-series consist of Joshua Lederberg speeches, lectures, and interviews, as well as Rockefeller University senate meetings, and conference presentations.

The cassette tapes are arranged chronologically.

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