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Records of the Harvard College Observatory Director Edward C. Pickering, 1854-1926

Title: Records of the Harvard College Observatory Director Edward C. Pickering, 1854-1926

Edward Charles Pickering (1846-1919), a physicist and astronomer, was the director of the Harvard College Observatory from 1876 to 1919, as well as, Phillips Professor of Astronomy and Geodesy (1876-1887) and Paine Professor of Practical Astronomy (1887-1919). Pickering’s records as Observatory Director, consisting chiefly of correspondence, document the research activities and administration of the Harvard College Observatory from 1854 to 1926. During Pickering’s administration, the Observatory's principal areas of research included programs in photometric, photographic, and spectroscopic stellar investigations. Pickering built an extensive library of photographic plates at Harvard, established an observing station in Arequipa, Peru, to achieve worldwide coverage of the sky, and employed women to carry out the Observatory's photographic and spectroscopic programs.

ArchivalResource: 168 containers.

https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/hua43018/catalog View

Records of Harvard College Observatory Director Harlow Shapley, 1911-1952 and [undated]

Title: Records of Harvard College Observatory Director Harlow Shapley, 1911-1952 and [undated]

Harlow Shapley (1885-1972) was an astronomer who served as Director of the Harvard College Observatory from 1921 to 1952. The records document Shapley’s tenure as director and primarily consist of his incoming and outgoing correspondence files. The letters, including three volumes of outgoing correspondence, relate to Observatory operations, research, and activities, particularly its cooperation with other astronomers and observatories from throughout the United States and abroad. Also chronicled are Shapley’s political activities, particularly during World War II, and his work with professional organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Shapley also continued the Observatory’s long tradition of employing women; his dedication to hiring and mentoring female astronomers is documented heavily throughout the record series, with letters to many women scientists and students, many of whom Shapley hired to work at the Observatory.

ArchivalResource: 42 cubic feet

https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/hua40018/catalog View