Pogo (Alexander) Papers, 1952-1959

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Summary

Title:
Alexander Pogo Papers
Dates:
1952-1959
Creators:
Pogo, Alexander, 1893-
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of astronomer, classical scholar, and Mount Wilson Observatory librarian Alexander Pogo (born 1893). The collection is composed primarily of correspondence between Dr. Pogo and members of the general public with an interest in astronomical issues and the work of the Mount Wilson Observatory.
Extent:
936 items.
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Alexander Pogo Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection is composed primarily of correspondence between Dr. Pogo and members of the general public with an interest in astronomical issues and the work of the Mount Wilson Observatory. The Observatory was founded in 1904 by George Ellery Hale and funded by the Carnegie Institution of Washington. The Mount Wilson Observatory was also the research home of the well-known astronomer Edwin Hubble.

The collection consists of a large number of letters from school-age children with questions about the workings of the universe. Other correspondence includes questions from amateur astronomers as well as a number of queries about the relationship between astronomy and religious issues, particularly biblical prophecies. Other subjects include flying saucers, space travel, expeditions to the moon, observations of the sky, comets, eclipses, and new planets. The collection also includes a number of letters from amateur and professional astronomers from around the world, particularly Europe and Latin America. Generally, the letters were not addressed directly to Dr. Pogo but were forwarded to him from the Observatory’s administrative offices for replies.

Biographical / historical:

Alexander Pogo was an astronomer and classical scholar born in Russia in 1893. He served as the librarian for the Mount Wilson Observatory located in Pasadena, California.

Acquisition information:
Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, Deposit, 1988-1989. Approximately fifty additional separate collections form the Mount Wilson Papers of the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington and are available for research in the Manuscripts Department of the Huntington Library.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged alphabetically by author with Dr. Pogo’s responses included in the same folder.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Jessica Kim, October 22, 2009.
Date Prepared:
© 2009
Date Encoded:
Machine readable finding aid encoded by Diann Benti in March 2017 from PDF finding aid originally in the Huntington Digital Library.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Alexander Pogo Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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