Description
Collection contains the personal papers of distinguished scientists and Nobel Laureates in molecular biology and allied fields.
Materials were collected by Jeremy Norman and his colleague Al Seckel from 1999-2002 and acquired by the J. Craig Venter Institute
in 2005. This collection includes a comprehensive array of documents and artifacts marking significant milestones in the history
of molecular biology from the discovery of DNA’s double helix structure to related discoveries and developments that form
the foundation of molecular biology. Included in the collection are archival materials from Sydney Brenner, Francis Crick,
James Watson, Max Delbruck, Rosalind Franklin, Aaron Klug, Linus and Peter Pauling, Max Perutz, and Maurice Wilkins, among
others. The materials highlight the relationships, dynamics, and roles these individuals played in the discovery of the DNA
structure as well as provides historical context for the discovery of the structure of RNA, transfer RNA, messenger RNA, various
viruses and biologically important proteins.
Background
The J. Craig Venter Institute History of Molecular Biology Collection was purchased in its entirety by the J. Craig Venter
Institute in August 2005. The collection was assembled by Jeremy Norman and his associate Al Seckel from early 1999 to late
2002 for the purpose of documenting the formative period of molecular biology. During this time the collection was known as
the Norman collection on the history of molecular biology. Norman and Seckel acquired personal papers of Donald Caspar, Max
Delbruck, Maurice Fox, Bruce Fraser, Sven Furberg, Raymond Gosling, Rollin Hotchkiss, Horace Judson, Aaron Klug, Vittorio
Luzzati, Max Perutz, Maurice Wilkins, and Herbert Wilson among others. Within these personal collections materials created
by other prominent scientists and Nobel laureates can be found, including five boxes of Rosalind Franklin’s personal papers,
acquired with the Aaron Klug papers. Other personal papers within these acquisitions include materials created by Francis
Crick and James Watson, Sydney Brenner, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, John Kendrew, Barbara McClintock, Linus and Peter Pauling,
and Robert Corey, as well as Leo Szilard. Norman and Seckel also acquired select items which were not part an any individuals'
personal papers. Provenance of some individual items is difficult to track. In many instances offprints and reprints will
include the original owners’ stamp or signature. Many signatures are contemporary to the item, but on occasion signatures
were added by the creators’ in the early 2000s. Together these materials form the J. Craig Venter Institute History of Molecular
Biology Collection.
Extent
50.0 Linear feet
(100 boxes, 1 flat box, 1 crate)
Restrictions
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the
creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the J. Craig Venter Institute, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any
person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.
Availability
This collection is open for research. Original audio visual materials are restricted due to condition, access copies are available
for use.