The working papers, correspondence, scientific data, teaching and biographical material of Samuel Epstein form the collection known as the Samuel Epstein Papers at the California Institute of Technology Archives. Epstein had a distinguished career in isotope geochemistry, resulting in the development of the carbonate paleotemperature scale, as well as the publication of some pioneering papers with regards to the measurements of paleotemperatures and of the isotopic composition of water in the meteorological cycle. Epstein carried out important research on the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, on isotope composition of hydrogen and oxygen in tree rings, and on the origin of meteorites, tektites, and lunar rocks and minerals.

Samuel Epstein was born near Kobryn, Poland in 1919 and moved to Winnipeg, Canada with his family in 1927. After graduating from high school in 1937, he attended the University of Manitoba, where he earned a BS in geology and chemistry in 1941 and a MS in chemistry in 1942. In 1944 he received his PhD in chemistry at McGill University, where he conducted research on the kinetics of reactions involving the high explosive RDX.

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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 Caltech Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the California Institute of Technology Archives as the owner of the physical items and, unless explicitly stated otherwise, is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

The collection is open for research with the exception of the following seven files: 14.7, 15.7, and 15.10 through 15.14, that are closed due to their confidential matters. Researchers must apply in writing for access.