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Beckman (Arnold Orville) Papers
10103-MS
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections
Title: Arnold Orville Beckman Papers
Creator:
Beckman, Arnold O. (Chemist, Inventor, Philanthropist)
Identifier/Call Number: 10103-MS
Physical Description:
10 linear feet
(12 archival boxes, 3 storage cartons, and oversize material)
Date (inclusive): 1919-1989
Abstract: The Arnold Beckman materials are primarily printed matter relating to Beckman's philanthropy, including newspaper clippings,
photos, albums and scrapbooks. There are also two archival boxes of biographical newspaper clippings from the 1950s through
1989. Although there is only a small amount of correspondence (less than one archival box), many of the correspondents are
noteworthy figures, including several politicians. The three storage cartons contain photo albums and scrapbooks. The collection
also contains a large number of photographs, several plaques and honorary certificates, two reel-to-reel audio tapes, two
audio cassettes and one Lyndon Johnson pen.
Language of Material:
English
.
This collection is open for research. Researchers must apply for access in writing and by creating an
Aeon account. Contact the archives for more information.
Copyright may not have 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 Caltech Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf
of the California Institute of Technology Archives as the owner of the physical items and, unless explicitly stated otherwise,
is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The majority of the collection was donated to the Caltech Archives by Arnold Beckman, and came from his home files. Boxes
9 and 10 are miscellaneous files that came from his Beckman Foundation office in Irvine, California, and were transferred
to the Caltech Archives by Beckman's assistant.
Arnold Orville Beckman (1900-2004) was an American investor, inventor, chemist, and philanthropist. He was the founder of
Beckman Instruments, Inc.; Caltech Assistant Professor from 1929 to 1940 and a Caltech Trustee from 1953 to the end of his
life.
For additional information, the Beckman oral history interview conducted by Mary Terrall can be found at
Caltech Archives Oral Histories .
The Arnold O. Beckman papers primarily relate to Beckman's philanthropy, including newspaper clippings, photos, scrapbooks,
honorary plaques and certificates, and correspondence (circa 1954-1989).
Series 1: Biographical Information, contains newspaper clippings, articles and printed material about Beckman's life.
Series 2: Philantropic Gifts, contains the documentation of the Beckmans' many donations and endowments.
Series 3: General Correspondence, includes communications with individuals and it is arranged in alphabetical order. Major
individual correspondents represented in Series 3 include United States President Richard Nixon, Caltech presidents Lee DuBridge,
Harold Brown and Marvin Golderberger, and Princess Margaret.
Series 4: Miscellaneous Printed Material, contains few printed materials and transcripts.
Series 5: Photographs, contains family photos, formal portraits and photos of Beckman and his wife Mabel taken at events and
with personalities.
Series 6: Miscellaneous Items and Tapes, contains memorabilia, recordings and mementos.
Series 7: Miscellaneous Documents, includes, speeches, interviews and research notebooks.
Series 8: Awards, Honors, contains awards, certificates and medals.
Series 9: Scrapbooks, Photo Albums, includes both family album and album of events attended by Beckman.
The Science History Institute (formerly Chemical Heritage Foundation) has an extensive collection of Arnold Beckman's personal
papers and the records of the scientific and medical instrument manufacturer, Beckman Coulter, Incorporated. The Digitized
portions can be accessed
here.
To search the additional holdings of the Donald F. and Mildred Topp Othmer Library of Chemical History, see the
online catalog.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Chemistry
Manuscript Collection
Beckman Instruments, Inc