Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Information about Access
Ownership & Copyright
Cite As
Arrangement
Description of the Collection
Biographical / Historical
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: William Shockley and eugenics collection
Creator:
Saunders, John Bertrand deCusance
Morant
Identifier/Call Number: SC0595
Identifier/Call Number: 15653
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1965-1978
Abstract: This collection pertains to Shockley's
embrace of and advocacy for eugenics, including his work on heredity, I.Q., and race. It
includes papers and articles by Shockley, including several presented to the National
Academy of Sciences; two issues of the PHI DELTA KAPPAN containing a debate between Shockley
and N. L. Gage (Stanford professor of education) on heredity, environment, race, and I.Q.,
1972; and clippings on Shockley's views as well as reactions to them, particularly in the
academic world. Some of the clippings concern the controversy at Stanford when Shockley's
proposed graduate class on dysgenics (1972) was not approved.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Gift of Eleanor Thompson Wortz, 2000; Gift of W. E. Spicer, 2007; Purchase, 2013.
Information about Access
This collection is open for research.
Ownership & Copyright
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must
be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent is given on behalf of Special
Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright
owner, heir(s) or assigns. See:
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of
digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Cite As
William Shockley and Eugenics Collection (SC0595). Dept. of Special Collections and
University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Arrangement
The materials are arranged by accession.
Description of the Collection
The materials consist of correspondence, news clippings, publications and ephemera related
to Shockley's embrace of and advocacy for eugenics, including his work on heredity, I.Q.,
and race.
Accession ARCH-2000-263 includes papers and articles by Shockley, including several
presented to the National Academy of Sciences; two issues of the PHI DELTA KAPPAN containing
a debate between Shockley and N. L. Gage (Stanford professor of education) on heredity,
environment, race, and I.Q., 1972; and clippings on Shockley's views as well as reactions to
them, particularly in the academic world. Some of the clippings concern the controversy at
Stanford when Shockley's proposed graduate class on dysgenics (1972) was not approved.
Accession ARCH-2007-074 consists of materials, originally part of William Spicer's files,
pertaining to William Shockley's embrace and advocacy of eugenics. Included are two papers
by Shockley, "Possible Transfer of Metallurgical and Astronomical Approaches to the Problem
of Environment versus Ethnic Heredity," 1966, and "City Slums and Research Taboos - A
National Sickness Diagnosed," 1967; Shockley's letter to Spicer regarding the U.S. News and
World Report interview with Shockley, 1965 (copy attached); form letter by Shockley in
response to his 1965 talk on "Population Control and Eugenics" with 17 enclosures (articles,
press releases, and other correspondence, including George W. Beadle); and form letter by
Shockley requesting feedback on his drafted response to criticisms from faculty in the
Genetics Department of S. U. School of Medicine, 1966.
Accession ARCH-2013-060 consists of Shockley and Foundation for Research and Education on
Eugencis and Dysgenics (FREED) correspondence, news clippings, publications, and ephemera
originally part of John B. deC. M. Saunders' files.
Biographical / Historical
William Shockley was a Professor of engineering at Stanford (1958-1975; emeritus
1975-1989). He was a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in physics, 1956. While working at
Stanford, Shockley embraced and advocated for eugenics.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Eugenics.
Academic freedom
Human genetics.
Heredity, Human.
Wortz, Eleanor Thompson
Shockley, William, 1910-1989
Gage, N. L. (Nathaniel Lees)
Karkau, Isabel Steiner