Collection Guide
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Traylor (Teddy G.) Papers
MSS 0183
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Table of contents
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Teddy G. Traylor Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0183
Physical Description:
6.4 Linear feet
(16 archives boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1955-1995
Abstract: Papers of Teddy G. Traylor, organic chemist and professor of chemistry at the University of California, San Diego.
Acquired 1994
Teddy G. Traylor Papers, MSS 183. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Teddy G. Traylor was born in Sulphur, Oklahoma, on May 21, 1925. He did his undergraduate and graduate work in chemistry
at UCLA and received a B.A. in 1949 and Ph.D. in 1952, under the direction of Saul Winstein. Traylor worked at Dow Chemical
Company for six years, then as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University for two years under Paul D. Bartlett. In 1961,
Traylor joined the Chemistry Department at UCSD as an assistant professor and was promoted to the rank of professor in 1968.
He served as department chairman (1973-1976) and actively participated in the long-range planning for and expansion of the
department.
Traylor conducted research in the fields of bioinorganic, organometallic and physical organic chemistry. His areas of study
included oxymercuration of olefins, electrophilic substitution at saturated carbon, autoxidation of hydrocarbons, radical
carbonium ions (and metallocene chemistry), carbon-carbon bond lengths, and biological oxygen transport and activation.
His pioneering research in the field of biomimetic chemistry developed new models for understanding biochemical reactions.
He made significant contributions in understanding the mechanism of oxygen and carbon monoxide binding by heme proteins. In
1973, Traylor's group synthesized the active site of myoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of muscle.
In 1973, Traylor combined instruction in organic and inorganic chemistry in a graduate class entitled "Chemistry 141 A-B-C:
Organic Chemistry." In collaboration with Patricia Traylor, his wife and also a chemistry professor, Traylor wrote a textbook
for this class entitled "Organic-Inorganic Chemistry: A Course in Chemical Principles and Reactions of the Light Elements."
In addition, he devised a new symbology for molecular orbitals and integrated computer methods for making spectroscopic drawings.
Traylor received fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and the John E. Fogarty International Center
twice during his career.
He retired from the UCSD Chemistry Department in July 1991 and remained active professionally until his death on June 14,
1993.
Scope and Content of Collection
Papers of Teddy G. Traylor, organic chemist and professor of chemistry at the University of California, San Diego. Traylor's
research interests included organometallic chemistry, autooxidation, oxygen transport, and bioorganic chemistry. He made significant
contributions to biomimetic chemistry through studies of the mechanisms of oxygen transport and activation in biological systems,
especially those involving heme proteins. The papers contain biographical materials, correspondence, published and unpublished
writings, professional meeting materials, grants, patents, teaching materials, and UC San Diego materials.
Arranged in six series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) WRITINGS, 4) MEETINGS AND LECTURES, 5) GRANTS AND
PATENTS, and 6) UCSD MATERIALS.
SERIES 1: BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS
The BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS series is arranged alphabetically and includes his curriculum vitae, biographies for UCSD brochures
and articles pertaining to Traylor's research.
SERIES 2: CORRESPONDENCE
The CORRESPONDENCE series is arranged in two subseries: A) A-Z, General, and B) Heme Protein Collaborations. Both subseries
are arranged in alphabetical order by name of correspondent. The Heme Protein Collaborations subseries pertains to Traylor's
research on biological oxygen transport and other projects.
SERIES 3: WRITINGS
The WRITINGS series is arranged in two subseries: A) Research Publications and B) Unpublished Works.
A) The Research Publications (1955-1991) subseries contains published writings arranged chronologically and numbered according
to a publications list that precedes the subseries. Unnumbered publications have been interfiled chronologically within the
numbered order. Materials include drafts, correspondence, referee reports, and reprints.
B) The Unpublished Works (1974-1994) subseries is arranged in chronological order and consists of drafts, referee reports
and correspondence. Included is Traylor's unpublished textbook for Chemistry 141 A-B-C entitled "Organic-Inorganic Chemistry:
A Course in Chemical Principles and Reactions of the Light Elements" (see also TEACHING MATERIALS and GRANTS series). Undated
publications are arranged alphabetically at the end of the subseries.
SERIES 4: MEETINGS AND LECTURES
The MEETINGS AND LECTURES series documents Traylor's attendance and participation at professional meetings and his delivery
of papers. The series is arranged in two subseries: A) Meetings and B) Lectures.
A) The Meetings subseries is arranged chronologically by meeting date and includes correspondence, programs, lecture materials,
scientific papers, and abstracts.
B) The Lectures subseries is arranged chronologically and consists of correspondence and event announcements.
SERIES 5: GRANTS AND PATENTS
The GRANTS AND PATENTS series is arranged in two subseries: A) Grants for Traylor's Research and C) Patents.
A) The Grants for Traylor's Research subseries is arranged chronologically by grant start date (inclusive folder dates are
noted, if different) and includes proposals, referee reports and correspondence. A few of the grants included are not by Traylor
but contain his research proposals.
B) The Patent subseries is arranged chronologically and is preceded by a numbered listing of Traylor's early patents. Materials
include typescripts, reprints, legal documents, and correspondence.
SERIES 6: UCSD MATERIALS
The UCSD MATERIALS series is arranged alphabetically by subject and includes correspondence, committee files and Chemistry
Department-related materials. The committee and department materials contain an early history of the Chemistry Department
and discussions of departmental long-range planning. Also included in this series is a 1962 report pertaining to the UCSD-San
Diego State College joint doctoral program in chemistry.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Chemistry -- Study and teaching
Bioorganic chemistry
Organometallic chemistry
Traylor, Teddy G. -- Archives
University of California, San Diego. Department of Chemistry
University of California, San Diego -- Faculty