Guide to the Frank Oppenheimer Papers, 1902-1985
Processed by Juliet Demeter and Ania Laszcz
The Bancroft Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
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© 2001
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Frank Oppenheimer Papers, 1902-1985
Collection number: BANC MSS 98/136 c
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Contact Information:
- Processed by:
- Juliet Demeter and Ania Laszcz
- Date Completed:
- April 2002
- Encoded by:
- James Lake
© 2001 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Frank Oppenheimer Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1902-1985
Collection Number: BANC MSS 98/136 c
Creator:
Oppenheimer, Frank, 1912-1985
Extent:
Number of containers: 4 cartons
Linear feet: 5.0
Repository: The
Bancroft Library
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
Abstract: Consists of correspondence, writings, along with professional and personal papers reflecting his career in scientific research
and his role as a pioneer in science education. Also included are materials regarding his investigation by the U.S. Congress
House Committee on Un-American Activities, and correspondence, writings and biographical materials about his brother J. Robert
Oppenheimer, theoretical physicist and director of the Manhattan Project, the U.S. government's program to develop the atomic
bomb. The bulk of this collection relates to Frank Oppenheimer's professional and academic research in the fields of education
and physics in the years prior to his founding of the Exploratorium, the highly innovative, hands-on science museum in San
Francisco, Calif., in 1969.
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Languages Represented:
English
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research, with the following exception:
- One folder of letters, restricted until April 2032.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Frank Oppenheimer papers, BANC MSS 98/136 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Related Collections
Title: Exploratorium Records, 1957-[on-going],
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 87/148 c
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Frank Oppenheimer Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Michael and Judith Oppenheimer on December 12, 1997.
Funding
Funding partially provided by a grant from the American Institute of Physics.
Biographical Sketch
Frank Friedman Oppenheimer was born on August 14, 1912 in New York City. After graduation from Johns Hopkins University in
1933, he spent a year and a half at Ernest Rutherford's Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge researching natural radioactivity.
For a period in 1935, he worked on the development of nuclear particle counters at the Institute di Arcetri, Florence, Italy.
In 1936, Oppenheimer married Jaquenette Quann, then a student at Berkeley. After earning his Ph.D. from the California Institute
of Technology in 1939, he conducted post-graduate research in neutron physics at Stanford. From 1941-1945, he worked in the
University of California Radiation Laboratory on uranium isotope separation with Ernest O. Lawrence. In 1945 Oppenheimer joined
the Manhattan Project, the secret government program to develop the atomic bomb, which was directed by his brother J. Robert
Oppenehimer. He served first at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee and later at Los Alamos National Laboratory
in New Mexico as deputy to Kenneth Bainbridge, the physicist in charge of testing the atom bomb. After the war, Oppenheimer
returned to UC Berkeley where he worked with Luis Alvarez and Wolfgang Panofsky on the development of the proton linear accelerator.
In 1947, Oppenheimer was appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota where he taught and conducted research
on the origin of cosmic rays. In 1949, he and his wife were called before the United States Congress House Committee on Un-American
Activities (HUAC) to defend charges that they had been members of the Communist Party. In his appearance before HUAC, Oppenheimer
admitted his former involvement with the Party, but refused to name others. He was forced to resign his post at the university.
Unable to secure a teaching or research position, and denied a passport by the U.S. government to travel abroad for work,
the Oppenheimers moved to Pagosa Springs, Colorado where they started a cattle ranch.
He began teaching science at Pagosa Springs High School in 1957 and two years later was offered a position at the University
of Colorado teaching and conducting research in high-energy particle physics. While at the University of Colorado, Oppenheimer
began to shift his focus toward developing improvements in science education, which culminated in the award of a grant from
the National Science Foundation to develop new methods for teaching introductory physics. He designed a "Library of Experiments,"
a series of nearly one hundred models of classical laboratory experiments to be used in conjunction with course assignments
to teach physical phenomena to students.
Oppenheimer was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1965 to study the history of twentieth-century physics and to conduct bubble
chamber research at University College, London. Inspired by his visits to European science museums, he began to develop a
plan for creating a similar learning center in the U.S. His goal was to open a museum for the general public that would make
learning about science and technology accessible to everyone through hands-on exhibits and demonstrations.
In 1969, these goals were realized with the opening of the Exploratorium at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California.
This interactive museum of art, science, and human perception was based on Oppenheimer's philosophy that the wonders of science
should be fun, accessible, and lead people of all ages to a greater understanding of humanity and to the world around them.
He served as director of the museum for the next 16 years and was involved in practically every aspect of the Exploratorium's
operation.
Frank Oppenheimer died at his home in Sausalito on February 3, 1985.
Professional Chronology
1912 |
Born August 14 in New York City. |
1930 |
Graduates from the New York Ethical Culture Society's Fieldston School. |
1933 |
B.A., Johns Hopkins University. |
1933-1935 |
Research Assistant, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge. |
1935 |
Research assistant, Institute di Arcetri, Florence, Italy. |
1939 |
Ph.D., California Institute of Technology. |
1939-1941 |
Research Assistant, Stanford University. |
1941-1947 |
Research Associate, Radiation Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley. |
1942-1945 |
Research Associate, Manhattan Project. |
1947-1949 |
Assistant Professor of Physics, University of Minnesota. |
1949-1959 |
Rancher, Pagosa Springs Colorado. |
1957-1959 |
High school science teacher, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. |
1959-1961 |
Physics teacher, Jeffeson County Schools, Colorado. |
1959-1968 |
Associate Professor of Physics. |
1965 |
Guggenheim Fellowship, University College, London. |
1968-1985 |
Founder and director of the Exploratorium, San Francisco. |
1972 |
Receives Distinguished Service Award, American Association of Physics |
1973 |
Receives Robert A. Millikan Award, American Association of Physics |
1975 |
Receives second Guggenheim Fellowship. |
1980 |
Appointed Professor Emeritus, University of Colorado. |
1982 |
Receives Distinguished Service Award, American Association of Museums. |
1984 |
Receives Oersted Medal, American Association of Physics Teachers. |
1985 |
Dies in San Francisco on February 3. |
Scope and Content
The Frank Oppenheimer Papers, 1902-1985, consist of correspondence, writings, professional and personal papers reflecting
Oppenheimer's career in scientific research and his role as a pioneer in science education. Also included are materials regarding
Oppenheimer's investigation by the United States Congress House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC), and correspondence,
writings, and biographical materials about his brother J. Robert Oppenheimer, theoretical physicist and director of the Manhattan
Project, the United States government's program to develop the atomic bomb. The bulk of this collection relates to Frank Oppenheimer's
professional and academic research in the fields of education and physics in the years prior to his founding of the Exploratorium,
the highly innovative, hands-on science museum in San Francisco, California, in 1969.
Oppenheimer's correspondence consists primarily of personal letters, but also includes letters to and from many leaders in
the field of physics such as Hans Bethe, Sebastien Littauer, and Erwin Marquit. Subsequent to his investigation by HUAC, Oppenheimer
was forced to resign his professorship at the University of Minnesota. Many of his colleagues in the U.S. and abroad worked
dilligently to convince their own institutions to offer him a position. Letters from Bethe and others indicating these attempts
are included in this series.
Among writings included in this collection are drafts of articles and speeches reflecting Oppenheimer's research in atomic
physics and his involvement, following the war, in efforts to promote the international control of atomic weapons. Also included
are drafts for an unpublished manuscript, written with K.C. Cole, entitled
The Sentimental Fruits of Science, a series of essays written over the course of his career on a broad range of topics including the arts, science, technology,
social justice, and education.
In the years leading up to the development of the Exploratorium, Oppenheimer earned a reputation as an innovator in science
education. At the University of Colorado, he and his colleague Malcolm Correll designed the Library of Experiments, a set
of permanent laboratory exhibits to aid in the teaching of introductory physics.
Oppenheimer's family papers consist of correspondence, including letters from his brother Robert written between 1925 and
1962. Other materials relating to his brother include correspondence with biographers, writings, clippings, and transcripts
for an interview conducted with Frank Oppenheimer for the film
The Day After Trinity.
In 1949 Oppenheimer and his wife, Jacquenette, were called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. While
admitting to their own previous memberships in the Communist Party, the Oppenheimers refused to implicate others during their
testimony. Papers relating to this period include correspondence, subpoenas and transcripts of the hearings. Of particular
interest are drafts for Oppenheimer's statements to the committee and an essay by Oppenheimer entitled "The Tail that Wags
the Dog" about the Oppenheimer's continued harassment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after the hearings.
Oppenheimer's papers do not include many records related to the Exploratorium. These materials can be found in the Exploratorium
Records, BANC MSS 87/148 c.
Carton 1, folders 1-51
Series 1:
Correspondence, 1932-1985, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically, then chronologically.
Divided into 2 sub-series: Incoming and Outgoing. Both sub-series include personal and professional correspondence and consist
of letters regarding Oppenheimer's research and teaching careers. Includes letters from Hans Bethe, Giuseppe Occhialini and
many other leaders in the field of physics.
Subseries 1.1:
Incoming, 1945-1985, n.d.
carton 1, folder 1
A miscellaneous
1950-1983
carton 1, folder 2
B miscellaneous, including
1949-1984, n.d.
Bethe, Hans Albrecht, 1906-
Bhabha, Homi Jehangir, 1909-1966
carton 1, folder 3
C miscellaneous
1958-1984
carton 1, folder 4-5
Cole, K.C.
1977-1983, n.d.
carton 1, folder 6
D miscellaneous
1958-1984, n.d.
carton 1, folder 7
Eklund, Sigvard
1947-1977, n.d.
carton 1, folder 8
F miscellaneous
1948-1984
carton 1, folder 9
G miscellaneous
1960-1984, n.d.
carton 1, folder 10
Gould, Jackie
1978-1984, n.d.
carton 1, folder 11
H miscellaneous
1958-1984
carton 1, folder 12
Hein, Hilde S., 1932-
1977-1984, n.d.
carton 1, folder 13
I-J, miscellaneous
1965-1984
carton 1, folder 14
K miscellaneous, including
1948-1985
carton 1, folder 16
L miscellaneous, including
1947-1984
carton 1, folder 17
Lewis, Roger
1945-1983, n.d.
carton 1, folder 18
M miscellaneous, including
1960-1984
carton 1, folder 19
N miscellaneous
1961-1981
carton 1, folder 20
Occhialini, G.P.S.
1976-1982
carton 1, folder 21
P miscellaneous
1949-1984
carton 1, folder 22
R miscellaneous, including
1963-1983
carton 1, folder 23
S miscellaneous, including
1947-1984, n.d.
carton 1, folder 24
T miscellaneous
1968-1984
carton 1, folder 25
U-V miscellaneous
1948-1979
carton 1, folder 26
University of Colorado at Boulder
1964-1969
carton 1, folder 27
W miscellaneous
1947-1983
carton 1, folder 28
Y-Z miscellaneous
1974-1983
Subseries 1.2:
Outgoing, 1932-1984, n.d.
carton 1, folder 29-51
Miscellaneous
1932-1984, n.d.
Carton 1, folders 52-76; Carton 2, folders 1-54
Series 2:
Writings, 1936-1984, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically, then chronologically.
Divided into 5 sub-series: Books, Articles and Essays, Lectures and Speeches, Book Reviews and Miscellaneous. Throughout this
series, untitled writings appear in brackets and have been assigned titles based on their subject.
Subseries 2.1:
Books, 1980-1984
Scope and Content Note
Books consists of correspondence, contracts, and drafts for
Sentimental Fruits of Science, which was never published and written with K.C. Cole.
Sentimental Fruits of Science
carton 1, folder 54-61
Drafts, Chapters 1-6
1983-1984
Subseries 2.2:
Articles and Essays, 1936-1982, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Articles and Essays includes drafts and reprints of writings on a range of topics including atomic weapons, education, and
other social and political issues.
carton 1, folder 65
The Role of Universities
1948
carton 1, folder 67
The Freedom to Create
1950
carton 1, folder 68
Teaching Mathematics
1958
carton 1, folder 69
Science and Fear -
The Centennial Review
1961
carton 1, folder 70
Traffic in Watertown Square
1962
carton 1, folder 71
The Character of a University
1964
carton 1, folder 72
The Mathematics of Destruction -
The Saturday Review
1965
carton 1, folder 73
Persuasion, Coercion, and Overpowering
1965
carton 1, folder 76
Stacked Deck -
Colorado Daily
1968
carton 2, folder 1
A War in the Shadow of the H-Bomb -
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
1968
carton 2, folder 2
Prediction and Invention
1968
carton 2, folder 3
Science and Invention
1968
carton 2, folder 4
Science and Immunity -
Scientific World
1969
carton 2, folder 5
Position Paper for the Council on Physics in Education
1972
carton 2, folder 6
The Freedom to Create
1982
carton 2, folder 7
Reflections After a Trip to New York
1982
carton 2, folder 8
An Alternative to Warring
n.d.
carton 2, folder 11
Communication: Physicists and Poets
n.d.
carton 2, folder 13
Cultural Procreativity
n.d.
carton 2, folder 15
Distortion: Bending the Sure Thing
n.d.
carton 2, folder 16
European Education In the Seventeenth Century
n.d.
carton 2, folder 17
A Factor of a Thousand
n.d.
carton 2, folder 18
The Getting Used to the World
n.d.
carton 2, folder 19
How Would an Angel Look at a Triangle?
n.d.
carton 2, folder 20
Let the Teachers Teach and the Learners Learn
n.d.
carton 2, folder 23
Science and the Ethics of Coercion
n.d.
carton 2, folder 24
Science and Moral Responsibility
n.d.
carton 2, folder 25
[Scientific Progress]
n.d.
carton 2, folder 27
The Sounds of Science
n.d.
carton 2, folder 28
Vague Fears and Concrete Worries
n.d.
carton 2, folder 29-33
Miscellaneous untitled writings
n.d.
Subseries 2.3:
Lectures and Speeches, 1945-1981, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
The bulk of Lectures and Speeches pertains to issues of world security and atomic weapons and were delivered in the years
immediately following the Second World War.
carton 2, folder 34
The Implications of Atomic Power
1945
carton 2, folder 35
Speech to California CIO Council
1945
carton 2, folder 36
[Potentialities of Atomic Energy]
1946
carton 2, folder 38
[International Control of Atomic Energy]
1947
carton 2, folder 39
[Atomic Energy and World Peace]
1947
carton 2, folder 40
Public Welfare in the Atomic Age
1948
carton 2, folder 41
Talk Delivered to the Pagosa Springs P.T.A.
1957
carton 2, folder 42
Pagosa Springs High School Commencement
1960
carton 2, folder 43
Talk delivered to University of Colorado Alumni
1964
carton 2, folder 44
The Importance of the Role of Pedagogy in the Developing Nations
1965
carton 2, folder 45
Nuclear Film Forum lecture
1981
carton 2, folder 46
[Modern Physics and the Atomic Bomb]
n.d.
Subseries 2.4:
Book Reviews, 1968-1982, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Book Reviews relate to writings about Oppenheimer's brother J. Robert Oppenheimer, nuclear security issues, and science education.
carton 2, folder 47
Lawrence and Oppenheimer
1968-1969
carton 2, folder 48
The Oppenheimer Case: Security on Trial
ca. 1969
carton 2, folder 49
Protest and Survive
ca. 1982
carton 2, folder 50
From Nucleus to Universe
n.d.
Subseries 2.5:
Miscellaneous, 1936-1984, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Miscellaneous writings include bibliographies, editorials, and several short essays about J. Robert Oppenheimer.
carton 2, folder 52
Forward to
Sympathetic Vibrations by K.C. Cole
1984
carton 2, folder 53
Writings about J. Robert Oppenheimer
n.d.
Carton 2, folders 55-75, Carton 3, folders 1-65, Carton 4, folders 1-9
Series 3:
Professional Activities, 1911-1984, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically, then chronologically.
Divided into 4 sub-series: Teaching, Research, Conferences, and Subject Files.
Subseries 3.1:
Teaching, 1948-1984, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Teaching consists of correspondence and course materials relating to Oppenheimer's teaching career and to the Library of Experiments,
a set of laboratory experiments he developed at the University of Colorado. These records include proposals, articles, instructions
for laboratory experiements and photographs.
carton 2, folder 55
Letters of appointment and contracts
1948-1968
carton 2, folder 56
An Introduction to Special Relativity
ca. 1960
The Library of Experiments
carton 2, folder 57-58
Proposals
1961-1968, n.d.
carton 2, folder 59
"A Library of Experiments" by Frank Oppenheimer and Malcolm Correll
1964
carton 2, folder 60
"The Library of Experiments at the University of Colorado"
1964
carton 2, folder 61
"Sophomore-Laboratory Experiment on the Viscosity of Air"
1964
carton 3, folder 1-9
Laboratory instructions
ca. 1964-1976
Unfragmented Course Program
carton 3, folder 10
Proposals
1966-1968, n.d.
carton 3, folder 11-12
Comments by students and professors
1967, n.d.
carton 3, folder 13
San Francisco Art Institute Courses
1980-1984
carton 3, folder 14
Introductory Physics Course
n.d.
Subseries 3.2:
Research, 1944-1970, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Research is further divided into Projects and Papers.
Projects
Scope and Content Note
Projects includes materials relating to Oppenheimer's work in physics, and consists primarily of technical papers concerning
research on the Berkeley Proton Nuclear Accelerator, cosmic rays, and bubble chambers, as well as correspondence and secrecy
orders regarding patents for inventions created by Oppenheimer while under contract to the government. Research notes are
also included.
Radiation Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley
carton 3, folder 15
Photograph of Radiation Laboratory staff
ca. 1947
carton 3, folder 16
Berkeley Proton Linear Accelerator
1953
carton 3, folder 17
Apparatus for Cloud Chamber Investigation with Free Balloons
1949
carton 3, folder 18
Permission for travel to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
1949
carton 3, folder 19
Resolution of the Disagreement Between Measured and Computed Atmospheric Tritium
n.d.
carton 3, folder 20
A Bubble Chamber Study of the Trapping of Λ-Hyperons in Nuclear Matter
1963
carton 3, folder 21
Silicon Controlled Rectifier Circuit for the Control of High Wattage Projection Lamps
1964
carton 3, folder 22
Λ λ -p Elastic Scattering
1964
carton 3, folder 23
Cryptofragment Formation in a Heavy Liquid Bubble Chamber
ca. 1964
carton 3, folder 24
Bubble Chamber Film Surveys
1966-1970
carton 3, folder 25
A Bubble Chamber Study of the Reactions Occuring with Stopping K
- Mesons in a Mixture of Propane and Freon
1968
carton 3, folder 26
A Bubble Chamber Study of K
- Nucleus Interactions at Rest
n.d.
carton 3, folder 27
Study of the Reaction
n.d.
π Π
- + p ⇒ π
+ + π
- + n At 2.36 GeV/c
carton 3, folder 28
A Bubble Chamber Study of K
- Nucleus Interactions at Rest
n.d.
carton 3, folder 29
Notes on future work on K
- capture by nuclei
n.d.
carton 3, folder 33-34
Research Notes
1944-1951, n.d.
Papers
Scope and Content Note
Papers includes drafts and published articles regarding his scientific research conducted primarily while at the University
of Colorado.
carton 3, folder 39
Polarization by Reflection and Some Optical Constants in the Extreme Ultraviolet
1962
carton 3, folder 40
Absence of Any Temperature Dependence in the Ultraviolet Reflectivity of Platinum and Gold
1962
carton 3, folder 42
Baryon Exchange Model in Isobar Production
1964
carton 3, folder 43
A Simple Demonstration of the Retinal Evidence Involved in Distance Perception
1965
carton 3, folder 44
Enhancements in π
- d Interactions at 2.26 GeV/c
1967
carton 3, folder 45
Proposal: Cartridge-Film-Procedure Demonstration
1967
carton 3, folder 46
Evidence for a I = 5/2 Baryon Resonance of Mass 1640 MeV/c
2
n.d.
carton 3, folder 47
Fission Chain Reactions as a Research Tool In Physics
n.d.
carton 3, folder 48
Isobar Production in the Reaction π
- + n ⇒ p + π
- at 2.26 GeV/c
n.d.
carton 3, folder 49
Observation of an I = O π
- π
+ Enhancement in the 1.07 GeV Mass Region
n.d.
Subseries 3.3:
Conferences, 1965-1983
Scope and Content Note
Conferences consists of programs and lists of conference participants for professional meetings and seminars attended by Oppenheimer.
carton 3, folder 50
World Federation of Scientific Workers International Symposium on Problems of the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries
1965
carton 3, folder 51
Smithsonian Conference on Museums and Education
1966
carton 3, folder 52
International Conference on Instrumentation for High Energy Physics
1966
carton 3, folder 53
Seminar on the Developing American Assertion of World Control in an Age of Multi-Revolution on All Continents
1967
Subseries 3.4:
Subject Files, 1911-1983, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Subject Files include articles by friends and colleagues, as well as miscellaneous research files.
carton 3, folder 55-57
Kenneth T. Bainbridge
1945-1947, n.d.
carton 3, folder 64-65
Nuclear Issues
1945-1982, n.d.
carton 4, folder 5-6
Technology
1962-1973, n.d.
carton 4, folder 7
Visual Perception
1956-1975, n.d.
carton 4, folder 8-9
Victor F. Weisskopf
1956-1983, n.d.
Carton 4, folders 10-56
Series 4:
Personal Papers, 1902-1985
Scope and Content Note
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically and chronologically.
Divided into 3 sub-series: Family Papers, United States Congress House Committee on Un-American Activities, and Biographical
Materials.
Subseries 4.1:
Family Papers, 1902-1985, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Family Papers consist of correspondence, photographs and materials relating to J. Robert Oppenheimer.
carton 4, folder 10
Ella Friedman Oppenheimer
1902-1903, n.d.
carton 4, folder 11
Julius Oppenheimer
1930-1937, n.d.
carton 4, folder 12
J. Robert Oppenheimer
1925-1962, n.d.
carton 4, folder 13-14
Jacquenette Oppenheimer
n.d.
carton 4, folder 15
Katherine Oppenheimer Silber
1973-1976
carton 4, folder 16
Peter Oppenheimer
1973-1982, n.d.
carton 4, folder 17
Unidentified photographs
n.d.
carton 4, folder 18
Letters to Herbert W. Smith
1922-1925, n.d.
carton 4, folder 23-24
Correspondence regarding J. Robert Oppenheimer
1967-1985, n.d.
carton 4, folder 25
"In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer" - playbills and reviews
1969, 1982
carton 4, folder 26
Biographical sketches
1976, n.d.
carton 4, folder 28
Frank Oppenheimer interview
1979
carton 4, folder 31
Correspondence regarding BBC miniseries
Oppenheimer
1978-1982
carton 4, folder 32
In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Barton J. Bernstein
ca. 1981
Subseries 4.2:
United States Congress House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC), 1947-1983
Scope and Content Note
United States Congress House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) includes correspondence, subpoenas, hearing transcripts,
clippings, and drafts of statements written for his appearance before the committee. Also includes an essay by Oppenheimer,
"The Tail that Wags the Dog," about his harrassment by the FBI, as well as an article regarding HUAC's investigation of the
Oppenheimers published many years after the hearings.
carton 4, folder 37
Statements to HUAC
ca. 1949
carton 4, folder 38
Transcripts of hearings
1949-1952
carton 4, folder 39
The Tail That Wags the Dog
1950
carton 4, folder 40
"On the Blacklist," by Paul Preuss
1982-1983
Subseries 4.3:
Biographical Materials, 1912-1984, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Biographical materials includes Oppenheimer's birth certificate, curriculum vitae, awards and honors, newsclippings, transcripts,
and his will, as well as a biography by K.C. Cole and an undated interview.
carton 4, folder 42
Academic transcripts
1933-1959
carton 4, folder 43
Memorabilia
1938-1981, n.d.
carton 4, folder 44
Awards and honors
1945-1982
carton 4, folder 49
Curriculum vitae
ca. 1960
carton 4, folder 50
Financial records
1970-1981, n.d.
carton 4, folder 55
Biography by K.C. Cole
n.d.
carton 4, folder 56
Los Alamos National Laboratory interview
n.d.