Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers

machine-readable finding aid created by Hui-chi Lo

Stanford University. Libraries. Department of Special Collections and University Archives

Stanford, California

2000

Note

This encoded finding aid is compliant with Stanford EAD Best Practice Guidelines, Version 1.0.

Overview

Call Number: SC0325

Creator: Niel, Cornelis Bernardus van, 1897-1986

Title: C.B. van Niel papers

Dates: 1923-1977

Physical Description: 6.25 Linear feet

Language(s): The materials are in English.

Repository: Department of Special Collections and University Archives

Green Library

557 Escondido Mall

Stanford, CA 94305-6064

Email: specialcollections@stanford.edu

Phone: (650) 725-1022

URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc

Administrative Information

Provenance

Custodial History

Gift of the estate of C.B. van Niel,1985

Information about Access

None.

Ownership & Copyright

Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.

Cite As

[Identification of item], C.B. van Niel Papers, SC 325, Stanford University Archives, Stanford, Calif.

Biography

In 1929, Dr. C. B. van Niel (1897-1985) started his career as an associate professor at the Jacques Loeb Laboratory, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University. He was appointed Herzstein Professor of Microbiology in 1946.

Dr. van Niel received his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Technical University, Delft, in 1923; in 1928 he was conferred a doctoral degree from the same University. His research, after coming to the Marine Station, was concerned mainly with photosynthesis, photosynthetic bacteria, and bacterial taxonomy. However, Dr. van Niel--Kees to his colleagues and students-- was interested in a much broader spectrum of questions and encouraged investigations on wider range of phenomena in his laboratory. His lectures attracted not only Stanford students, but students around the country. The numerous well-written lecture/seminar notes in this collection, mostly with diagrams and images that he planed to draw on blackboard, illuminate how well he prepared for these lectures. Although he enjoyed a friendly relationship with these students, the "gang", he was rigorous in their academic training. A long letter (hand-written first and then typed) to one of his doctoral students with detailed instruction on the student's dissertation shows van Niel as a serious and responsible professor.

By devoting an enormous amount of time translating articles published by Dr. Kluyver, van Niel's advisor at Technical University, and Dr. Pringsheim, van Niel showed his gratitude and respect to his senior microbiologists and their works. Same attitude can be seen from publications of the later part of his career. In these articles he analyzed old and current articles on the subject he was dealing with and provided well-woven stories on research history. Probably because of his appreciation of history, (among his papers is a bibliography on American history, possibly given to him by a history professor) he wrote an autobiography, "The Education of a Microbiologist: Some Reflections." (1967), which sums up his major scientific achievements and his teaching career.

Dr. van Niel also actively participated in academic/professional associations such as the Society of American Bacteriologists in the 1950s and the American Type Culture Collections in the 1960s. However, as he recalled in his autobiography, these and other activities were taking up too much of his time and gradually made direct participation in experimental study difficult. He finally decided to retire from the Marine Station in 1962. From 1964 to 1968 he taught at U.C. Santa Cruz as a visiting professor. After 1972, he threw out his collection of reprints and scientific books and totally gave up research and teaching. Death took him in 1985.

Scope and Content

The van Niel papers primarily document C. B. van Niel's career at the Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, his participation in preeminent scientific associations, and his role as a leader in the field of microbiology. The papers include ATCC documents, teaching materials, research notes, publications, correspondences, photographs, audiotapes, and medals.

The American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) papers delineate activities of the association when van Niel served as a board member in the early 1960s. Teaching Materials include course outlines, exam questions, lecture notes, and seminar notes, written between 1929 and 1968. Publications include his articles published from 1923 to 1972. Many of the hand-written drafts and galley proofs accompany these publications. The records of van Niel's research in the Yellowstone National Park, including admission letter, experimental summary, notes, and drafts, are grouped together under the article's title, Report on Preliminary Observations on the Microflora in and Near the Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Part and Their Importance for the Geological Formation, to preserve its entirety. Research Files mainly comprise his experimental summaries, experimental procedures, notes, charts, and bibliographies. Van Niel's correspondence (1924-1977) centers on themes of research, publication, and student's dissertations. One exception is a letter to his son on personal matters. Correspondents include C. E. Clifton (1904- ), Seymour S. Cohen (1919- ), Lois Epel, Helge Larsen, Jack London [a student from UCLA], Beryl V. Daniel, J. R. Porter, Hosmer W. Stone, and Charles H. Walkinshaw.

When compiling SELECTED PAPERS OF E.G. PRINGSHEIM, van Niel corresponded with Dr. Pringsheim, Mrs. Pringsheim, Selman A. Waksman (1888-1973), and Vernon Bryson (1913- ) between 1960 and 1964. These letters, together with the galley proofs for this book, are put under the series of SELECTED PAPERS OF E.G. PRINGSHEIM. Dr. Kluyver's Birthday Celebration and Obituary includes van Niel's writings about his teacher, Dr. Kluyver (1888-1956), the telegram to van Niel about Kluyver's death in 1956, and many obituaries written by other scholars.

The photographs files include images of microbiology, people (mostly scholars) and landscapes. Important medals van Niel won from 1939 to 1977 demonstrate him as a leading figure in science. Audiotapes recorded van Niel's 1962 lectures on experiments. Oversized Materials are certificates of honorary doctoral degree, honorary member, and award.

Access Terms

American Type Culture Collection..

Bryson, Vernon,, 1913-

Clifton, C. E.,, 1904-

Cohen, Seymour S., (Seymour Stanley), 1917-

Daniel, Beryl V.

Epel, Lois.

Hopkins Marine Station -- General subdivision--Faculty.;

Larsen, Helge.

London, Jack,, 1876-1916.

Porter, J. R.

Pringsheim, Ernst G., (Ernst Georg), 1881-

Stone, Hosmer W.

Waksman, Selman A., (Selman Abraham), 1888-1973.

Walkinshaw, Charles H.

Algae.

Bacteria--Classification.

Biochemistry.

Candida albicans.

Microbiology.

Photosynthesis.

Photosynthetic bacteria.

American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

Box 1, Folder 1

Budgets, 1960

Box 1, Folder 2

Budgets, 1961-1962

Box 1, Folder 3

Budgets, 1963

Box 1, Folder 4

Budgets, 1964-1965 / Unknown Dates

Box 1, Folder 5

Correspondence

Box 1, Folder 6

Minutes / Agendas, 1961-1962

Box 1, Folder 7

Minutes / Agendas, 1962

Box 1, Folder 8

Personnel Records

Box 1, Folder 9

Policies / Constitution / Memo / Proposal, 1961-1964

Box 1, Folder 10

Policies / Constitution / Memo / Proposal, 1961-1964

Box 1, Folder 11

Reports

Box 1, Folder 12

Symposium Programs

Teaching Materials

Box 2, Folder 1

1929-1931

Box 2, Folder 2

1932

Box 2, Folder 3

1932-1933

Box 2, Folder 4

1935-1938

Box 2, Folder 5

1940-1941

Box 2, Folder 6

1941

Box 2, Folder 7

1942-1951

Box 2, Folder 8

1952-1954

Box 2, Folder 9

1954

Box 2, Folder 10

1955-1958

Box 3, Folder 1

1958

Box 3, Folder 2

1959-1961

Box 3, Folder 3

1961

Box 3, Folder 4

1961

Box 3, Folder 5

1962

Box 3, Folder 6

1962

Box 3, Folder 7

1962

Box 3, Folder 8

1962-1963

Box 3, Folder 9

1964

Box 3, Folder 10

1964

Box 4, Folder 1

1966

Box 4, Folder 2

1966-1967

Box 4, Folder 3

1967

Box 4, Folder 4

1967

Box 4, Folder 5

1968

Box 4, Folder 6

1968

Box 4, Folder 7

1968

Box 4, Folder 8

1968

Box 4, Folder 9

Unknown Date

Box 4, Folder 10

Unknown Date

Publications

Box 5, Folder 1

Lists of Dr. Van Niel's Publications; and The Absence of Enhancement (Emerson Effect) in the Photosynthesis of Rhodospirillum Rubrum, 1963

Box 5, Folder 2

The Bacterial Photosyntheses and Their Importance for the General Problem of Photosynthesis, 1941

Box 5, Folder 3

Biochemical Problems of the Chemo-Autotrophic Bacteria, 1943

Box 5, Folder 4

The Biochemistry of Bacteria, 1937

Box 5, Folder 5

The Biochemistry of Micro-Organisms: An Approach to General and Comparative Biochemistry, 1940

Box 5, Folder 6

Book Reviews, A Brief Survey of the Photosynthetic Bacteria, 1927,1928, 1952, 1963, 1965, Unknown Date; 1963

Box 5, Folder 7

Bacteria. Chapter 3 of Ward and Whipple's Freshwater Biology, 1945

Box 5, Folder 8

Bacteria. Chapter 3 of Ward and Whipple's Freshwater Biology, 1945

Box 5, Folder 9

A Chemical Approach to the Problem of Biological Syntheses.

Box 5, Folder 10

The Concept of Bacterium, 1962

Box 5, Folder 11

The Comparative Biochemistry of Photosynthesis, Delft School, The Education of a Microbiologist: Some Reflections, 1949 1949; 1967

Box 5, Folder 12

The Education of a Microbiologist: Some Reflections, 1967

Box 6, Folder 1

The Education of a Microbiologist: Some Reflections, 1967

Box 6, Folder 2

Experiments on Bacterial Denitrification, 1952

Box 6, Folder 3

Enzymatic Synthesis of Dextian. The Free Amino Groups of the Proteus Flagella Protein. Insect Microbiology. Introductory Remarks on the Comparative Biochemistry of Microorganism, 1953

Box 6, Folder 4

John M. Prather Lectures, 1955

Box 6, Folder 5

The Chemistry and Physiology of Growth, Lipmann's Concepts of the Metabolic Generation and Utilization of Phosphate Bond Energy: A Historical Appreciation, Lipmann Dedicatory Volume: Notice to Contributors. 1949 1966

Box 6, Folder 6

Bacterial Metabolism. In McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Bacteriology. In McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, and Microbiology. In McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 1960; 1960; 1960

Box 6, Folder 7

The Mechanism of Propionic Acid Formation and Succinate Decarboxylation.

Box 6, Folder 8

The Microbe as a Whole, 1955

Box 6, Folder 9

A Note on Pseudomonas Stutzeri, 1952

Box 6, Folder 10

Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 1966

Box 6, Folder 11

Microbiology and Molecular Biology, A Note on the Apparent Absence of Azotobacter in Soils, 1966 1935

Box 7, Folder 1

On the Mechanism of Ballistospore Discharge, 1972

Box 7, Folder 2

On the Energetics of the Photosyntheses in Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1952

Box 7, Folder 3

On the Energetics of the Photosyntheses in Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1952

Box 7, Folder 4

On the Metabolism of Candida Albicans, 1942

Box 7, Folder 5

On the Metabolism of Candida Albicans, 1942

Box 7, Folder 6

On the Metabolism of the Thiorhodaceae, 1936

Box 7, Folder 7

On the Morphology and Physiology of the Purple and Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1931

Box 7, Folder 8

On the Morphology and Physiology of the Purple and Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1931

Box 7, Folder 9

On the Morphology and Physiology of the Purple and Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1931

Box 8, Folder 1

On the Morphology and Physiology of the Purple and Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1931

Box 8, Folder 2

On the Photochemical Reduction of Nitrate by Algae, 1953

Box 8, Folder 3

On Photosynthesis in the Presence of Hydroxylamine.

Box 8, Folder 4

On the Purple Bacteria and Their Significance for the Study of Photosynthesis, 1931

Box 8, Folder 5

On the Purple Bacteria and Their Significance for the Study of Photosynthesis, 1931

Box 8, Folder 6

On Radicalism and Conservatism in Science, 1955

Box 8, Folder 7

Photosynthetic Process of Purple Bacteria.

Box 8, Folder 8

Photosynthesis of Bacteria, 1930

Box 8, Folder 9

Prospects for a Natural System of Classification of Bacteria, 1936

Box 8, Folder 10

Perspectives in Microbiology.

Box 8, Folder 11

Radioactive Carbon as an Indicator of Carbon Dioxide Utilization, 1942

Box 8, Folder 12

Reflection on Evaluation and Spontaneous Generation.

Box 8, Folder 13

Report on Preliminary Observations on the Microflora in and Near the Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park and Their Importance for the Geological Formation, 1930

Box 8, Folder 14

Report on Preliminary Observations on the Microflora in and Near the Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park and Their Importance for the Geological Formation, 1930

Box 8, Folder 15

Report on Preliminary Observations on the Microflora in and Near the Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park and Their Importance for the Geological Formation, 1930

Box 8, Folder 16

Techniques for the Enrichment, Isolation and Maintenance of the Photosynthetic Bacteria, 1971

Box 8, Folder 17

Ueber die Beweglichkeit und das Vorkommen von Geiszeln bei einigen Sarcina-Arten, De wijzen van voortbeweging van Mikroorganismen, Notiz uber die quantitative Bestimmung von Diacetyl Acetyl-Methylcarbinol, Les Photosyntheses Bacteriennes, 1923 1926 1927 1936

Box 9, Folder 1

Articles: Title Unknown.

Research Files

Box 9, Folder 2

Subject, A-E

Box 9, Folder 3

Subject, F-M

Box 9, Folder 4

Subject, M

Box 9, Folder 5

Subject, M

Box 9, Folder 6

Subject, N-Q

Box 9, Folder 7

Subject, R

Box 9, Folder 8

Subject, R

Box 9, Folder 9

Subject, R

Box 9, Folder 10

Subject, S

Box 10, Folder 1

Subject, S-V

Box 10, Folder 2

Subject, W-Z

Box 10, Folder 3

Notebook

Box 10, Folder 4

Notebooks

Correspondence

Box 10, Folder 5

Out-going Letters by Dr. Van Niel, 1924, 1942-1952

Box 10, Folder 6

Out-going Letters by Dr. Van Niel, 1955-1977

Box 10, Folder 7

In-coming Letters, A-J

Box 10, Folder 8

In-coming Letters, L

Box 10, Folder 9

In-coming Letters, M-W

Box 10, Folder

In-coming Letters, Sender Unknown

Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim

Box 11, Folder 1

Correspondence for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim, Symposium Program, Symposium in Celebration of Dr. Pringsheim's 80th Birthday, 1960-1961; 1961

Box 11, Folder 2

Correspondence for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim, 1962-1964

Box 11, Folder 3

Correspondence for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim, date unknown

Box 11, Folder 4

Publications and Galley Proofs for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim

Box 11, Folder 5

Publications and Galley Proofs for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim

Box 11, Folder 6

Publications and Galley Proofs for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim

Box 11, Folder 7

Publications and Galley Proofs for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim

Dr. Kluyver's Birthday Celebration and Obituary

Box 11, Folder 8

"Professor A, J, Kluyver." By Dr. Van Niel, In celebration of Dr. Kluyver's Birthday

Box 11, Folder 9

Kluyver's Obituaries

Other Scholar's Publications / Papers

Box 12, Folder 1

Author, A-C

Box 12, Folder 2

Author, C

Box 12, Folder 3

Author, C

Box 12, Folder 4

Author, C

Box 12, Folder 5

Author, C

Box 12, Folder 6

Author, D-G

Box 12, Folder 7

Author, H-I

Box 12, Folder 8

Author, K-L

Box 12, Folder 9

Author, L

Box 13, Folder 1

Author, L

Box 13, Folder 2

Author, M-N

Box 13, Folder 3

Author, O-Q

Box 13, Folder 4

Author, R-S

Box 13, Folder 5

Author, S-W

Box 13, Folder 6

Author Unknown

Box 13, Folder 7

Student Paper, Author Unknown

Photographs

Box 14, Folder 1

Sporobolomyces Cultures

Box 14, Folder 2

Sporobolomyces Cultures

Box 14, Folder 3

Sporobolomyces Cultures

Box 14, Folder 4

Microbiology

Box 14, Folder 5

People

Box 14, Folder 6

Landscape

Box 15

Medals

Third International Congress for Microbiology, 1939

Princeton University Bicentennial, 1946

George Westinghouse Centennial, 1946

L'Institut Pasteur, 1955-1956

Scientiae Medicinae Artiqve Salvtari, 1958

Koninklijke Nederlands Akademie van Wetenschappen, 1958

National Academy of Sciences Centennial, 1963

Rumford Medal for Discoveries in Light or Heat, 1967

American Society for Microbiology, 1974

Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina, 1977

Emil Chr. Hansen, Unknown Date

Institut Pasteur, Unknown Date

Toegewezen Door de Koninklijke Akademie van Wetenschappen te Amsterdam, Unknown date

National Medal of Science, Unknown Date

Audiotapes

Box 16, Reel 6 (5 of 8)

Yeast Cake c. viability of cells (Lab I) 6/25/--

Box 16, Reel 9

Wild Yeast A. Fruit and Flower Yeasts 13 Ham Yeasts (Lab II)

Box 16, Reel 12 (3 of 4)

General Yeast Experiments C. Fermentation (Lab III)

Box 16, Reel 13

General Yeast Experiments. C. Fermentation D. Dalmau E. Trigonopsis Variabilis F. Nuclear Stains G. Sporobolomyces H. Mucor Racemosus (Lab III)

Box 16, Reel 14 (1of7)

Lactic Acid Bacteria A-B (Lab IV)

Box 16, Reel 15 (2of 7)

Lactic Acid Bacteria B (Lab IV)

Box 16, Folder 17 (4 of 7)

Lactic Acid Bacteria B (Lab IV)

Box 16, Reel 19(6 of 7)

Lactic Acid Bacteria C. Experiments With Isolates (Lab IV)

Box 16, Reel 22 (1 of 6)

Coliform Bacteria A-B (Lab VI)

Box 16, Reel 23 (2 of 6)

Coliform Bacteria B-F Experiments (Lab VI)

Box 16, Reel 25 (4 of 6)

Coliform Bacteria F Experiments (Lab VI)

Box 16, Reel 26 (5 of 6)

Coliform Bacteria F Experiments (Lab VI)

Box 16, Reel 27 (6 of 6)

Coliform Bacteria F Experiments (Lab VI)

Box 16, Reel 28 (1 of 3)

Acetic Acid Bacteria A-D Experiments With Isolates (Lab VII)

Box 16, Reel 28 (5 of 5)

Developmental History of Yeasts (Lecture X) 7/9/62

Box 16, Reel 29 (2 of 3)

Acetic Acid Bacteria D. Experiments With Isolates (Lab VII)

Box 16, Reel 30 (2 of 2)

Patterns of Sugar Fermentations by Yeasts (Lecture XI) 7/11/62

Box 16, Reel 30 (3 of 3)

Acetic Acid Bacteria D. Experiments With Isolates (Lab VII)

Box 16, Reel 31

Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria A-E (Lab VIII)

Box 16, Reel 31 (1 of 4)

Classification and Nomenclature of Yeasts (Lecture XII) 7/13/62

Box 16, Reel 32 (2 of 2)

Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria (Lab VIII)

Box 16, Reel 33

Corynebacteria, Nocardia, Mycobacteria, Arthobacteria (Lab IX)

Box 16, Reel 34 (4 of 4)

Classification and Nomenclature of Yeasts (Lecture XII) 7/13/62

Box 16, Reel 35

Luminous Bacteria (Lab XI)

Box 16, Reel 35 (1 of 3)

Lactic Acid Bacteria A (Lecture XIII) 7/11/62

Box 16, Reel 36 (2 of 3)

Lactic Acid Bacteria A (Lecture XIII) 7/11/62

Box 16, Reel 37 (2 of 3)

Lactic Acid Bacteria A (Lecture XIII) 7/11/62

Box 16, Reel 37 (3 of 3)

Lactic Acid Bacteria A, Section 2 Gram Stain (Lecture XIII) 7/11/62

Box 16, Reel 38 (1 of 3)

Enterobacteriaceae or Coli Group A (Lecture XIV) 7/16/62;7/30/62

Box 16, Reel 39 (2 of 3)

Enterobacteriaceae or Coli Group A (Lecture XIV) 7/16/62;7/30/62

Box 16, Reel 40 (3 of 3)

Enterobacteriaceae or Coli Group A (Lecture XIV) 7/16/62;7/30/62

Box 16, Reel 41 (1 of 1)

Role of Microorganisms in Nature, With Emphasis on Nitrogen Fixation (Lecture XV) 7/16/62

Box 16, Reel 73 (4 of 4)

Fermentations of the Enterobacteriaceae (Lecture XXVII) 8/3/62;8/6/62

Box 17

Oversized Materials

Certificate for the American Society for Microbiology Honorary Member

Diploma for Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, University of California

Certificate for the National Medal of Science, 1963