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Title: Sidney D. Drell papers
Date (inclusive): 1941-2017
Collection Number: 80074
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
63 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 2 oversize folders, digital media
(33.2 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Speeches and writings, notes, correspondence, memoranda, reports, studies, and printed matter relating to scientific and technological
aspects of United States national security and intelligence issues, including nuclear weapons, nuclear stockpile management,
satellite reconnaissance, biological and chemical warfare issues, and terrorism issues. Also includes material relating to
the dissident Soviet physicist Andreĭ Sakharov, and to efforts on his behalf by Western scientists. Includes writings and
letters by Sakharov.
Creator:
Drell, Sidney D. (Sidney David), 1926-2016
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Box 41 closed. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation
system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1980, with increments received in 1981 and 2016.
[Identification of item], Sidney D. Drell papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
| 1926 | Born, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| 1946 | A.B. in Physics, Princeton University |
| 1947 | M.A. in Physics, University of Illinois |
| 1949 | Ph.D. in Physics, University of Illinois |
| 1966 | Member, President's Science Advisory Committee |
| 1969 | Elected to the National Academy of Sciences |
| 1969-1981 | Consultant, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency |
| 1969-1986 | Executive Head, Theoretical Physics, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center |
| 1974 | First met Andrei Sakharov in Moscow |
| 1977 | Accepted the Joseph Human Rights Award for Sakharov |
| 1977-1990 | Member, American Committee on U.S.-Soviet Relations (formerly Committee on East-West Accord) |
| 1980 | Advisory Board, Andrei Sakharov Defense Campaign |
| 1981 | Chairman, International Conference in Honor of Andrei Sakharov |
| 1983-1989 | Founding Co-Director, Stanford's Center for International Security and Arms Control |
| 1984 | Prize Fellowship of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation |
| 1986 | President, American Physical Society |
| 1989-1996 | Adjunct Professor, Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University |
| 1990-1991 | Chairman, House Armed Services Committee Panel on Nuclear Weapons Safety |
| 1995 | Chair, JASON Study for Department of Energy on Nuclear Testings |
| 1998 | Retired as deputy director from Stanford Linear Accelerator Center |
| 1998-2016 | Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution |
| 2000 | Received Enrico Fermi Award |
| 1992-2001 | Member, President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board |
| 2006 | With George Shultz, initiated a program at the Hoover Institution to develop practical steps towards achieving a world without nuclear weapons |
| 2016 | Died |
| 2013 | Awarded National Medal of Honor |
Source: http://www.hoover.org/profiles/sidney-d-drell
Scope and Content of Collection
The Sidney D. Drell papers include speeches and writings, notes, correspondence, memoranda, reports, studies, and printed
matter related to scientific and technological aspects of United States national security and intelligence issues, including
nuclear weapons, nuclear stockpile management, satellite reconnaissance, biological and chemical warfare issues, and terrorism
issues. In addition, the papers include material related to the dissident Soviet physicist Andrei Sakharov, and to efforts
on his behalf by Western scientists.
These latter records document Drell's efforts to aid Andrei Sakharov during Sakharov's arrest and exile, as well as his personal
relationship with Sakharov and Elena (Yelena) Bonner. The
Andrei Sakharov Chronological File includes correspondence with Sakharov and family members such as Elena Bonner, Tat'iana Yankelevich (Bonner's daughter and
Sakharov's step-daughter), and Tat'iana's husband Efrem Yankelevich. Letters to scientists and members of various organizations
document Drell's efforts to arrange petitions, plan conferences, and disseminate information about Sakharov's work and exile
in Gor'kii (Gorky). The series includes open letters between Drell and Sakharov discussing topics such as Sakharov's arrest
and arms control. Also included are writings and typescripts by Drell and Sakharov. Material concerning the Andrei Sakharov
Institute can also be found in this series.
In 1981, Drell was the chairman of the International Conference in Honor of Andrei Sakharov, a birthday tribute to Sakharov
designed to recognize his scientific contributions as well as express support for him. The
Andrei Sakharov Collected Materials and
Andrei Sakharov Chronological File contain correspondence and conference materials related to this event.
The
Speeches and Writings series includes typescripts, manuscripts, and clippings written by Drell and Sakharov. Writings by Sakharov include physics
papers (with typescripts in Russian), interviews with Sakharov, articles describing Sakharov's views on human rights, and
descriptions of his experience in exile. For more writings by Drell, see also
Incremental Speeches and Writings.
In addition to his work as a physicist, Drell was an arms control specialist. He advised the United States government on technical
national security and defense issues and consulted for Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
He served on various advisory committees, including the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. The
Advisory Work File documents Drell's consulting work through his research files, correspondence, and writings. Included are documents concerning
the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the Stockpile Stewardship Program.
Drell was a founding member of JASON, an independent group of scientists formed to advise the United States government. The
JASON File includes documentation related to meetings, such as the annual summer study, as well as many reports for which Drell served
as chair, study leader, or a contributor. Topics of reports include stockpile stewardship, nuclear testing, tritium, subcritical
experiments, lasers, and stockpile aging. Although most reports are in their final form, these materials include some drafts
and notes.
The collection includes
Printed Matter related to topics such as Sakharov, nuclear weapons, and intelligence, as well as histories compiled by the National Reconnaissance
Office. All other printed matter, consisting of widely available publications, has been removed. See the Separated Materials
note for a bibliography of all printed matter that was not retained as part of the collection.
Finally, the
Audiovisual Material series contains sound recordings of the conference "Implications of the Reykjavik Summit on Its Twentieth Anniversary," as
well as a photograph, and a videorecording about Sakharov.
Sidney D. Drell papers, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) Archives and History Office
Scientists for Sakharov, Orlov, and Shcharansky records, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Paul J. Flory papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
William Shockley miscellaneous papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Click the link below to download a bibliography of widely available books that were removed from the collection.
Bibliography of Books Removed
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Biological warfare
Dissenters -- Soviet Union
Civil rights -- Soviet Union
Physics
Nuclear weapons
Arms control
United States -- Defenses
Terrorism
Chemical warfare
Intelligence services -- United States
Science -- United States
Scientists -- Soviet Union
Sakharov, Andreĭ, 1921-1989