Guide to the Arnold Orville Beckman Papers
Gwen Torges and Caltech Archives Staff
Edited by Penelope Neder-Muro, 2020
California Institute of Technology Archives and Special Collections
1990
1200 East California Blvd.
MC B215-74
Pasadena, California 91125
archives@caltech.edu
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
.
Conditions Governing Access
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.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Biographical / Historical
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.
Scope and Contents
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).
Arrangement
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.
Related Materials
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
Series I: Biographical Information
box 1, folder 1
Miscellaneous printed material
1950s
box 1, folder 2
Newspaper clippings
1960s
box 1, folder 3
Articles from Caltech publications
1960s
box 1, folder 4
Newsletter, magazine articles
1960s
box 1, folder 5
Miscellaneous printed materials
1960s
box 1, folder 6
Newspaper clippings
1970s
box 1, folder 7
Articles from campus publications
1970s
box 1, folder 8
Newsletter, magazine articles
1970s
box 1, folder 9
Miscellaneous printed materials
1970s
box 2, folder 1
Newspaper clippings
1980s
box 2, folder 2
Articles from Caltech publications
1980s
box 2, folder 3-7
Newsletter, magazine articles
1980s
box 2, folder 8
Miscellaneous printed materials
1980s
box 2, folder 9
Newspaper clippings, printed materials
1980s, undated
Series II: Philanthropic Gifts
box 3, folder 1-2
Beckman Auditorium at Caltech
box 3, folder 3
Mabel and Arnold Beckman Laboratories of Behavioral Biology at Caltech
box 3, folder 4
Beckman Institute at Caltech
box 3, folder 5
Arnold and Mabel Beckman Laboratory of Chemical Synthesis at Caltech
box 4, folder 1-2
Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies of Science and Engineering
box 4, folder 3-4
Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois
box 4, folder 5
Annual reports of the Arnold O.Beckman Research Endowment
box 5, folder 1
Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic at University of California, Irvine
box 5, folder 2
Haag Hospital Cancer Center gift
box 5, folder 3
Beckman Vision Center at University of California, San Francisco
box 5, folder 4
Arnold and Mabel Beckman Management Center at Pepperdine University
box 5, folder 6
Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope
box 5, folder 7
Irvine Medical Center gifts
box 5, folder 8
Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine at Stanford University
box 5, folder 9
University of California, Irvine gifts
box 5, folder 10
Stanford University gifts
box 5, folder 11
Rockefeller University gifts
box 5, folder 12
Beckman Center at Stanford University
box 5, folder 13
Articles on Arnold Beckman as philanthropist
box 5, folder 14
List of donations from Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Series III: General Correspondence
box 6, folder 1
Beckman Instruments correspondence
1981 October 7
1982 April
1987 April 16
box 6, folder 2
Caltech correspondence
1965-1986
Scope and Contents
Correspondents: Avery, Stanton (to Harold Brown), 1972 June 5;
Brown, Harold, 1972 June 8, 1976 July 30;
Caltech Associates invitation, 1976 May 3;
DuBridge, Lee A., 1967 May 2;
Goldberger, Marvin, 1986 May 28;
Gray, Harry, 1984 March 30;
Hurwitz, Theodore, 1986 January 14;
Private Secretary to Princess Margaret,
1965 November 15;
Sharp, Robert P., 1967 April 27
box 6, folder 3
Deukmejian, George correspondence
1985 October 3
box 6, folder 4
Hoover, J. Edgar correspondence
1966 May 24
box 6, folder 5
Jet Propulsion Laboratory correspondence
1982 March 1
Scope and Contents
Correspondent: Shlichta, Paul,
box 6, folder 6
Mennonite Hospital correspondence
1983
undated
Scope and Contents
Correspondents: Xwitkowski, Madlyn, undated;
Rouger, Antoine, undated;
Schmucker, Leon, 1983 March 3
box 6, folder 7
Mills College correspondence
1966 June 9
Scope and Contents
Correspondent: Rothwell, C. Easton
box 6, folder 8
Nestande, Bruce correspondence
1982 March 16
box 6, folder 9
Nixon, Richard correspondence
1969 June 23, November 5, 1972 June 13
box 6, folder 10
Pepperdine University correspondence
1971 May 19
1983 August 15
1989 August 14
box 6, folder 11
Reagan, Ronald correspondence
1984 January 29
1984 July 16
1985 October 31
box 6, folder 12
Rockefeller, Nelson correspondence
1975 April 28
box 6, folder 13
Rockefeller University correspondence
1987 July 31
1987 September 25
box 6, folder 14
Scottish Council of Development and Industry correspondence
1967 May-June
undated
box 6, folder 15
Stanford University correspondence
1985 May 6
Scope and Contents
Correspondent: Kennedy, Donald
box 6, folder 16
Stravinsky, Igor correspondence
1966 November 8
1966 November 10
box 6, folder 17
University of California, Riverside correspondence
1987 May 28
box 6, folder 18
University of Illinois correspondence
1982 June 8
1983 March 7
1989 May 8-10
box 6, folder 19
Miscellaneous correspondence
1960-1989
Series IV: Miscellaneous Printed Material
box 6, folder 20
Resolution from Chapman College
box 6, folder 21
Transcript of welcome speech at Caltech Trustees meeting
1974
box 6, folder 22
Cartoon and note from Lee DuBridge
box 6, folder 23
Miscellaneous printed materials from Beckman Instruments
box 7, folder 1
The early years and early family photos
box 7, folder 2
Miscellaneous family photos in the later years
box 7, folder 3
Beckman with political figures and other well-knowns
box 7, folder 4
Beckman with Princess Margaret
box 7, folder 7
Dinners, ceremonies, awards, parties, dedications
box 7, folder 8
Beckman with Caltech presidents
box 7, folder 14-15
Snapshots (working title)
Series VI: Miscellaneous Items and Tapes
6
box 8
Box 8 Contents
Contents
Memorabilia from University of Illinois, 1919-1921; Recording of "Beautiful Beckman," January 13, 1975, Beckman Auditorium
(2 cassette copies, 1 reel to reel copy), and musical scores; Reel to reel recording of Beckman Auditorium groundbreaking
ceremony, made January 1962; Pen used by Lyndon Johnson; Framed photo of Beckman and Ronald Reagan; Quotations from Chairman
Mao Tse-tung (2 copies); Memento from dedication of the Beckman Center; Apollo 11 memorabilia; Yacht log; Nautical slide rule;
Beckman's camp spoon
Series VII: Speeches, Interviews, and Beckman Instruments
box 9, folder 5
Articles on Beckman by Arnold Thackray and Jeffrey Sturchio
box 9, folder 6
Transcript of interview conducted by Jeffrey Sturchio and Arnold Thackray
1985 July 23
box 9, folder 7
Transcript of interview conducted by Jeffrey Sturchio and Arnold Thackray
1985 April 23
box 9, folder 8
Various articles about Beckman
box 9, folder 9
American Chemical Society
Scope and Contents
Talks, skits
box 9, folder 10
A Fourteen Weeks Course in Chemistry
Scope and Contents
Photocopy of book
box 10, folder 1-2
Beckman's research notebooks
box 10, folder 3
"The Photosensitized and Photochemical Decomposition of Hydrazine"
Scope and Contents
Reprint of article written by Joseph C. Elgin and Hugh S.Taylor
box 10, folder 4
"A Tribute to Dr. Arnold Beckman"
Scope and Contents
By Fred L. Hartley
box 10, folder 5
Beckman laboratory journal
1934-1936
box 10, folder 6
Beckman Instruments: Acidmeter
box 10, folder 7
Beckman Instruments: Cartoons
1954-1958
box 10, folder 8
Beckman Instruments: Early photographs
box 10, folder 9
Golden Past. Golden Future: The First Fifty Years of Beckman Instruments. Inc.
Scope and Contents
By Harrison Stephens
box 10, folder 10
The Beckman Symposium on Biomedical Instrumentation
Scope and Contents
Edited by Carol L. Moberg
box 10, folder 11
Correspondence re: Glassblowing
box 10, folder 12
Beckman's Professorship of Chemistry
box 10, folder 13
Miscellaneous printed materials
Series VIII: Awards and Honors
box 11
Box 11 Contents
1953-1994
Contents
General Excellence Award, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, 1960; Fifty Year Illini certificate, from University of Illinois;
The Vermilye Medal,The Benjamin Franklin National Award for Exemplary Leadership in Business and Industry, 1987; Honorary
Doctor·of Science, from Whittier College, 1971; National Medal of Technology, 1988; Charles Lathrop Parsons Award, presented
by the American Chemical Society, 1989; YMCA Humanitarian of the Year Award, 1985; Republican Senatorial Inner Circle Flag,
1984; Certificate establishing the Mabel Beckman Prize, from Caltech, 1986; Certificate of thanks to Beckman from the Mills
College Board of Trustees, 1964; Certificate of appreciation from Republican Central Committee, 1966; Certificate of membership
to the Newcomen Society, 1966; Certificate to recognize service from the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, 1983; Certificate
of appreciation from the American Heart Association (undated); Certificate of Life Membership of the Associates
of Caltech, 1953; Certificate of appreciation from the Orange County Republican Central Committee, 1982; Certificate of honor
from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation
The following awards and certificates are loose in the box: Certificate recognizing loyal support from the Delta Upsilon Fraternity
of the University of Illinois (undated); Proclamation that Beckman is "Our Hero of the Last Half Century," from the members
of the University of Illinois Foundation, 1985; Certificate of dedication for the Arnold O. and Mabel M. Beckman Institute
for Advancement of Science and Technology at the University of Illinois, 1985; Honorary Doctor of Science from Whittier College,
1971; Honorary Doctor of Science from Scripps Research Institute, 1994; Orange Coast College Outstanding Citizen Award, 1972;
Certificate announcing that a Trustee Professorship has been established in honor of Beckman.
box 12
Box 12 Contents
1969-1988
Contents
Certificate presenting Beckman with the Wave of Excellence from Pepperdine University, 1988;
Certificate of Recognition from the President's Associates at Chapman College (undated); Certificate of Appreciation from
the Board of Directors of Continental Airlines, Inc., 1971;
Certificate of Recognition from the National Society of Fundraising Executives, 1984; Community Service Award from the Disneyland
Management Committee, 1969; Delta Upsilon Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, August 16, 1987
Series IX: Scrapbooks and Photo Albums
box 13
Box 13 Contents
1977-1988
Scope and Contents
The following photo albums and scrapbooks are loose in the box: "An American Celebration," photo album, Chapman College Founder's
Day Celebration;
A pictorial documentation of the Arnold O.and Mabel M. Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University
of Illinois, photo album, 1985-1987; Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope,Summary Report of Activities,
presented to the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation notebook, 1983-1986;
Beckman Institute, Caltech, "The First Pour," photo album, September-December, 1988;
Beckman Institute, Caltech, October 1987; Beckman Institute, Caltech, "Groundbreaking
Ceremony," photo album, April 11, 1988; Commencement Address, Pepperdine University, photo album, 1977; Photograph of "Arcus"
crystal sculpture, given to Beckman by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering,
October 17, 1986; Beckman Laboratories of Behavioral Biology; Arnold Beckman's 80th Birthday Party; Beckman Auditorium, photo
and drawing.
box 14
Box 14 Contents
1972
1988
undated
Scope and Contents
The following photo albums and scrapbooks are loose in the box:
"Building the Beckman Center," scrapbook, March 1988; Beckman Institute at University of Illinois, photo album, undated; Family
photo album, later years; Family photo album, early and middle years; "Comments and Scenes from the Behavioral Biology·Building
Ceremony," Caltech, notebook, May 8, 1972; Photo album with miscellaneous photos of Beckman and Beckman buildings.
box 15
Box 15 Contents
1956
1979
1985
undated
Scope and Contents
The following photo albums and scrapbooks are loose in the box: The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies
of Science and Engineering, scrapbook; "A memoir of your visit to Tokyo," scrapbook of the reception held by the Tokyo Metropolitan
Government and the Fuji Bank, Ltd., 1956; "The Arnold O. Beckman Professorship of Chemistry," scrapbook, May 1980; "A photographic
record of luncheon at the Lou Henry Hoover House, Stanford University, on May 9, 1985; Collection of miscellaneous articles
about Beckman's "Pepperdine University Private Enterprise Award," scrapbook, September 25, 1979.
box Shelf
Oversize 1
Scope and Contents
Beckman family photo album
box Shelf
Oversize 2
Scope and Contents
Illini Achievement Award, from University of Illinois Alumni Association, June 18, 1960; Walnut Elephant, informational scrapbook,
undated; Award of commendation from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, includes negative, April 2, 1985; National Academy
of Engineering Award for Achievement and Distinguished Service, October 1, 1986; Beckman Auditorium photo album/scrapbook.
