Cohen, I. Bernard, 1914-2003.

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Biographical NoteI. Bernard Cohen (1914-2003) was a historian of science, best known for his translation of Sir Isaac Newton&'s Principia Mathematica, published in 1972, the first English translation of the work since 1729. His interest in the history of computing manifested itself primarily in his work as an historical consultant to IBM.Cohen earned a BS in mathematics at Harvard University in 1937 and a PhD in the History of Science at Harvard in 1947. He was the first American to receive a PhD in the subject. He taught at Harvard University as a physics and mathematics instructor (1942-1947), as a faculty member in the History of Science Program (1946-1977), and as the Victor S. Thomas Professor of the History of Science (1977-1984). He participated and held office in a number of scientific societies, associations, and academies.His work as an historical consultant for IBM, and his foray into the history of computers, began with the IBM History Wall, an exhibition at IBM's New York headquarters in the 1960s. Cohen continued to advise IBM on various exhibitions, and offered guidance in the organization of their technical archives and technical history series. He also advised the American Federation of Information Processing Societies and the Smithsonian Institution on historical exhibits, served as a board member of the Charles Babbage Foundation, and mentored many scholars in the history of computing.

From the description of I. Bernard Cohen Papers, 1889-1987. 1889-1987. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 311749825

Educator.

From the description of Reminiscences of I. Bernard Cohen: oral history, 1985. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 122528883

Cohen taught the history of science at Harvard University and was particularly interested in scientific images. See his Album of Science: From Leonardo to Lavoisier, 1400-1800 (1980) for collection of illustrations documenting the scientific revolution. Cohen was A. S. W. Rosenbach Fellow in Bibliography, November 1973, at University of Pennsylvania.

From the description of Diagrams and Illustrations in Relation to Scientific Ideas, before and after the Invention of Printing, 1973. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155894107

I. Bernard Cohen (1914-2003) was a historian of science, best known for his translation of Sir Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica, published in 1972, the first English translation of the work since 1729. His interest in the history of computing manifested itself primarily in his work as an historical consultant to IBM.

Cohen earned a BS in mathematics at Harvard University in 1937 and a PhD in the History of Science at Harvard in 1947. He was the first American to receive a PhD in the subject. He taught at Harvard University as a physics and mathematics instructor (1942-1947), as a faculty member in the History of Science Program (1946-1977), and as the Victor S. Thomas Professor of the History of Science (1977-1984). He participated and held office in a number of scientific societies, associations, and academies.

His work as an historical consultant for IBM, and his foray into the history of computers, began with the IBM History Wall, an exhibition at IBM’s New York headquarters in the 1960s. Cohen continued to advise IBM on various exhibitions, and offered guidance in the organization of their technical archives and technical history series. He also advised the American Federation of Information Processing Societies and the Smithsonian Institution on historical exhibits, served as a board member of the Charles Babbage Foundation, and mentored many scholars in the history of computing.

From the guide to the I. Bernard Cohen Papers, 1889-1987., 1889-1987, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Charles Babbage Institute. [cbi])

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Muriel Rukeyser collection of papers, 1920-1976, 1931-1976 The New York Public Library. Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature.
referencedIn Papers, 1899-1983 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Needham, Joseph, 1900-1995. Science and China's influence on the world : manuscript, 1962. Houghton Library
referencedIn Guerlac, Henry. Henry Guerlac papers, 1922-1981. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Guenther, Paul Ernest. Notes on the differential equations of quantum mechanics as given in Mathematics 40 by Professor G.D. Birkhoff / notes prepared by Mr. Paul E. Guenther and other members of the course. Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn George Sarton additional papers, 1901-1956 Houghton Library
referencedIn Henry Guerlac papers, 1922-1981 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Davis, Frances. Papers, 1899-1983 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Cohen, I. Bernard, 1914-2003. [Bernard Cohen : International Art & Artists File]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Richard Harrison Shryock papers, [ca. 1918-1972], Circa 1918-1972 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Cohen, I. Bernard, 1914-2003,. Readings for Social Sciences 119 : modern science, fall term, 1962 / compiled by I. Bernard Cohen, Everett I Mendelsohn. Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Departmental Chair Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Charles Eames and Ray Eames Papers, 1885-1988, (bulk 1965-1988) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Cohen, I. Bernard, 1914-2003. I. Bernard Cohen Papers, 1889-1987. 1889-1987. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Cohen, I. Bernard, 1914-2003. Reminiscences of I. Bernard Cohen: oral history, 1985. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Michael S. Mahoney papers., 1923-2008 University of Minnesota Libraries. Charles Babbage Institute.
creatorOf Cohen, I. Bernard, 1914-2003. Diagrams and Illustrations in Relation to Scientific Ideas, before and after the Invention of Printing, 1973. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Shryock, Richard Harrison, 1893-1972. Papers, [ca. 1918-1972]. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf I. Bernard Cohen Papers, 1889-1987., 1889-1987 University of Minnesota Libraries. Charles Babbage Institute.
creatorOf Panofsky, Erwin, 1892-1968. [Correspondence with Stillman Drake : concerning questions relating to Galileo, and a review in Isis by Dr. Rosen of Panofsky's Galileo as a critic of the arts]. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Davis, Frances. person
associatedWith Davis, Frances, 1908-1982 person
associatedWith Eames, Charles. person
associatedWith Eames, Charles. person
associatedWith Eames, Ray. Charles Eames and Ray Eames papers. 1885-1988 person
associatedWith Guenther, Paul Ernest. person
associatedWith Guerlac, Henry. person
associatedWith Harvard University corporateBody
associatedWith Harvard University. Dept. of the History of Science. corporateBody
associatedWith Henry Guerlac. person
associatedWith Kranz, Bella, person
associatedWith Mahoney, Michael S. (Michael Sean) person
associatedWith Mendelsohn, Everett, person
associatedWith Needham, Joseph, 1900-1995. person
associatedWith Panofsky, Erwin, 1892-1968. person
associatedWith Rukeyser, Muriel, 1913- person
correspondedWith Sarton, George, 1884-1956 person
associatedWith Shryock, Richard Harrison, 1893-1972. person
associatedWith Spencer Foundation. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Educator
Science
Science and civilization
Statistical decision
Statistics
Occupation
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Birth 1914-03-01

Death 2003-06-20

Americans

German,

English

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