Collection Guide
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Guide to the William Francis Whitmore Papers M0915
M0915
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: William Francis Whitmore papers
Creator:
Whitmore, William Francis
Identifier/Call Number: M0915
Identifier/Call Number: 801
Physical Description:
39 Linear Feet
(85 manuscript boxes, 2 half boxes, 2 flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1945-1991
Abstract: William Francis Whitmore was a mathematician in the field of oceanography and a scientist and consultant with Lockheed Missiles
and Space Company. He was the head of the division of Thermal Energy Conversion where he worked on the development of the
Polaris missile and later worked as a scientific analyst and consultant to various Department of Defense agencies.
William Francis Whitmore (1917-1996) was an American mathematician, physicist, and scientist with a focus on the field of
oceanography who was heavily involved in the development of weapons and ocean technology for the United States Navy. He received
his S.B. in General Engineering from MIT and Ph.D in Mathematics from University of California, He worked for the US Navy
in the Operations Evaluation Group (1946-1957) and later served as the chief scientist in their Special Projects Office (1957-1959),
heading the division of Thermal Energy Conversion where he worked on the development of the Polaris Missile. After this, he
was employed at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company for the remainder of his career, and served as an analyst and consultant
on a number of other projects, such as the Missile Systems Division and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), becoming the
chief scientist of Ocean Systems in 1969, a position he held for 14 years. He also served on the Naval Research Advisory Committee
(NRAC) until 1975, where he was the chairman of the Laboratory Advisory Board for Ordnance. In addition, Whitmore was the
LMSC Editorial Chairman for
Lockheed Horizons and engaged in speechwriting assignments for senior management, as directed.
He married Elizabeth Sherman Arnold in 1946, another mathematician who also received her PhD at the University of California,
Berkeley in 1941, and they had four sons.
[identification of item], William Francis Whitmore Papers (M0915). Department of Special Collections and University Archives,
Stanford Libraries, Stanford, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Whitmore Family Trust, 1997.
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Collection is open for research; material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
The Hoover Institution holds a journal, reports, and printed articles in photocopy relating to the development of the Polaris
missile and other naval weapons systems. (1 manuscript box)
This collection contains papers relating to William Francis Whitmore's work at Lockheed Missile and Space Company and as a
consultant to the United States Navy. These include correspondence, reports, speech drafts, notes, photographs, publications,
clippings, and personal, professional, and biographical materials.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Mathematicians -- United States.
Science -- History.
Oceanography
Fleet ballistic missile weapons systems
Polaris missile.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Conference.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Program (National Science Foundation)
Root, Leonard Eugene
Lockheed Missiles and Space Company.
Naval Research Advisory Committee.
United States. Defense Science Board
National Academy of Engineering