Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Cornelis A. G. Wiersma Papers, 1921-1979
- Dates:
- 1921-1979
- Creators:
- California Institute of Technology
- Abstract:
- Cornellis Wiersma
- Extent:
- 3 linear feet
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Cornelis A. G. Wiersma Papers, 1921-1979. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The bulk of the collection is professional correspondence, including items in Dutch and German, relating mainly to his work in neurophysiology, principally between 1950 to 1970. other correspondence is concerned with meetings, professional associations and publishing. A small part of the collection is devoted to areas of research and research programs.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Born and educated in the Netherlands, Wiersma came to the Biology Department at the California Institute of Technology in 1934 at the invitation of Thomas Hunt Morgan. He represented the field of comparative physiology and his scientific career focused first on the neuromuscular system, then the central nervous system and finally on the visual system. From 1943 to 1950, he studied the myography and treatment of poliomyelitis and the treatment of schizophrenia with electronarcosis while on the attending staff of the L. A. County General Hospital. Wiersma was also a member of the Los Angeles County Smog Control Commission, which studied the effects of pollution on humans in the Los Angeles area. In 1976, he was honored by a symposium given by his former coworkers when he retired after forty-five years, and was given the title Professor Emeritus. Wiersma maintained an active interest in his research until he died. Wiersma was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Physiological Society, the Society for Neuroscience and Sigma Xi. He was a correspondent of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and a foreign associate of the National Academy of Science.
- Acquisition information:
- The collection was a gift of Mrs. Wiersma; of the Division of Physics, Mathematics Astronomy; of W.A.J. Luxemburg and of Peter J. Mills.
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 1921-1979
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open for research. Researchers must apply in writing for access.
- Terms of access:
-
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 Head of the Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the California Institute of Technology Archives 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:
-
Cornelis A. G. Wiersma Papers, 1921-1979. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Location of this collection:
-
1200 E. California Blvd.MC B215-74Pasadena, CA 91125, US
- Contact:
- (626) 395-2704