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Guide to the Papers of Robert B. Leighton, 1938-1988
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Description
This collection documents the career of Robert B. Leighton, who served as a member of the physics faculty at the California
Institute of Technology from 1949 until 1986. The materials relating to the California Institute of Technology include research
proposals for funding on design projects for NASA, radio and optical telescope dish designs (Owens Valley Radio Observatory
and Keck Telescope), and radio astronomy, and other observational data. The papers also contain lecture notes to courses led
by Richard Feynman and Murray Gell-Mann, as well as publication files on Feynman's
Lectures on Physics.
Background
Born in Detroit on September 10, 1919, Robert B. Leighton was raised in Long Beach by his mother. He exhibited at an early
age an interest in science, particularly in astronomy and photography. He spent his high-school years in Long Beach and Los
Angeles schools. He then started a long tenure at Caltech: Bachelor of Science in 1941, Master of Science of 1944, PhD in
1947, research fellowship, and assistant professorship in 1949.
Extent
7 linear feet.
Restrictions
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.
Availability
The collection is open for research. Researchers must apply in writing for access.