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Frieman (Edward A.) Papers
SMC 0077
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Edward A. Frieman Papers
Creator:
Frieman, E. A.
Identifier/Call Number: SMC 0077
Physical Description:
24 Linear feet
(60 archives boxes and 2 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1948-2002 (bulk 1979-1999)
Abstract: Papers of Edward A. Frieman, physicist, prominent government advisor, and Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography
(1986-1996). The collection documents Frieman's consulting and committee work, as well as his time at Princeton University,
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Languages:
English
.
Scope and Content of Collection
Papers of Edward A. Frieman, plasma physicist, prominent government advisor, and Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography
(1986-1996). The collection documents Frieman's work with various institutions, including consulting and committee work, as
well as some of his research notes from Princeton University, and records from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Science
Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
There are gaps in documentation, specifically during Frieman's early career at Princeton University. When Frieman left Princeton
for a position at the U.S. Department of Energy, he left his files in his office and they were later discarded. Additionally,
Frieman did not routinely keep his lecture notes and course materials.
Arranged in seven series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) WRITINGS, LECTURES, AND SPEECHES, 4) ORGANIZATIONS, COMMITTEES,
AND CONSULTING, 5) PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, 6) SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (SAIC), and 7) SIO OFFICE OF THE
DIRECTOR.
Edward A. Frieman was born on January 19, 1926 in New York City. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Navy as a deep-sea
diving officer. Shortly after the war, Frieman participated in the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll.
In 1946, Frieman received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Columbia University. He then went on to study
at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, earning his master's degree in physics in 1948 and Ph.D. in physics in 1951. Frieman
spent 1951-1952 as a physics instructor at the Institute.
Edward Frieman worked at Princeton University for over 25 years, serving in various roles. Starting in 1952, Frieman joined
the Project Matterhorn as a physicist working on the development of hydrogen bombs. In 1953, he became head of the Project's
theoretical division working on peace time uses of atomic energy. Frieman taught physics between 1959-1969 and was a professor
of astronomy between 1961-1964. One of his prominent students during this time was Charles F. Kennel, who Frieman advised
on his doctoral thesis. From 1964-1979, Frieman served as Associate Director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
At the invitation of President Jimmy Carter's administration, Edward Frieman left his position at Princeton University to
work for the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) as Assistant Secretary and the Director of the Office of Energy Research from
1979-1981. In this position, Frieman oversaw the basic research programs of the department and served as Science Advisor to
the Secretary of Energy.
In 1981, Frieman became Executive Vice President for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Inc. He was also
on the Board of Directors. While at SAIC, Frieman worked as an adjunct professor in the Department of Physics at UC San Diego.
In July 1986, Frieman was appointed as the eighth Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego Vice Chancellor
of Marine Sciences, and Dean of the Graduate School of Marine Sciences. While at UC San Diego, Frieman continued to serve
as an adjunct professor of physics. During his time as director, Frieman worked on expanding research at the Institution,
including an increased focus on climate change and environmental science. Frieman retired from his administrative posts at
Scripps in 1996. After his retirement, Frieman became Director Emeritus and continued to advise the institution.
During his career, Edward Frieman was a prominent consultant and government advisor, working on issues from defense, energy,
and science policy. Some of his more prominent appointments on committees and panels include: the Secretary of Energy Advisory
Board (1980-1990), the Secretary of Defense Task Force on Anti-Submarine Warfare (chair), and the White House Science Council
(vice-chair). He was also an early member of JASON and served as chair.
Additionally, Frieman was active within NAS committees, including: Ocean Studies Board (1987-1993), Commission on Geosciences,
Environment, and Resources (1992-1995), Board on Global Change (1993-1994), Board on Sustainable Development (chair, 1994-1996),
and Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) Committee (chair).
Edward Frieman joined the American Physical Society (APS) in 1962, the National Academy of Sciences in 1981, and the American
Philosophical Society in 1990. Frieman was awarded: the National Academy of Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship (1964), the John
Simon Guggenheim Fellowship (1970), the Department of Energy Distinguished Service Medal (1980), the Richtmyer Award from
the American Physical Society (1984), the Distinguished Alumni Award from Polytechnic Institute (1984), the Marine Technology
Society Compass Distinguished Achievement Award (1995), the Department of the Navy's Superior Public Service Award (1996),
and the James Clerk Maxwell Prize for Plasma Physics (2002).
Edward A. Frieman passed away on April 11, 2013.
Edward A. Frieman Papers. SMC 77. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
Acquired 1986-2013
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
UC San Diego. Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Office of the Director Records, SAC 1. Special Collections & Archives,
UC San Diego Library.
Charles David Keeling Papers, SMC 99. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
When the bulk of the collection was received by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Archives in 1996, staff determined
that groupings or series were not clearly defined. Materials were moved into archival folders and original titles were retained
when possible. Portions of the collection were re-organized, including shifting consulting and committee work that Frieman
worked on while he was SIO Director with other UC San Diego materials.
In 2023, the collection was reprocessed and the basic organizational scheme was respected when possible. Consulting and committee
work unrelated to Frieman's role as Director of SIO, were reunited with related material the ORGANIZATIONS, COMMITTEES, AND
CONSULTING series. Government reports that are available online or in the general library collection were removed, focusing
the content of SMC 77 on unique archival resources and materials.
Original media recording formats are restricted. Viewing/listening copies are available for researchers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Climatic changes
Nuclear physics -- Study and teaching
Physics -- Study and teaching
Physicists -- Biography
Frieman, E. A. -- Archives
Princeton University. Plasma Physics Laboratory
Science Applications International Corporation
White House Science Council
United States. Department of Energy