Manuscripts
Shapley, Harlow, 1885-1972. 11 letters (1926-1953) to Theodore Dunham, 1897-. Includes hand-drawn sketch. 11 items
- Description
- The majority of the collection is made up of correspondence (364 items) between Theodore Dunham and various astronomers throughout the United States and England (and a couple other countries). Dunham and the other astronomers' research and work are the main topics of the letters. These subjects include: Dunham's work on stars (including our sun) and planets (Jupiter, Venus); biophysics; telescopes and lenses; and the Fund for Astrophysical Research. There is a folder with correspondence between Dunham, Harry Plaskett (Dunham's closest friend and astronomer at Oxford), and others regarding Dunham's attempt at doing his part during World War II. He contacts several people and institutions in England and Canada including the National Research Council in Ottawa looking for a position somewhere. This folder includes a copy of a letter by Dunham to Winston Churchill offering any assistance he can give to the war effort as well as copies of Dunham's "Summary of Scientific Work" (resume). The majority of the letters by Dunham are copies that he kept for his own records.
- Production date
- 1926-1977.
