Horace Freeland Judson Collection, American Philosophical Society

Table of contents

Abstract

Between 1968 and 1978, the historian of science Horace Freeland Judson conducted extensive oral history interviews with biochemists and molecular biologists relating to the development of their field. The correspondence, transcripts of interviews, and taped interviews that comprise the Judson collection formed the research material used by Judson in his book, The Eighth Day of Creation (New York, 1979). Permission to quote must be obtained from Dr. Judson and access to some files is restricted.

Background note
Scope & content
Administrative information
Additional information
- Separated material
Added entries
Contact information
Collection inventory
- Transcripts of oral history interviews, 1968-1978

Background note

The Horace Judson Papers (1968-1978) contain correspondence and transcripts of interviews with molecular biologists concerning the development of their field. Judson used this research as the basis for a series of articles published as "Annals of Science: DNA" in The New Yorker issues of November 27, December 4, and December 11, 1978, and later compiled them in book-length form as The Eighth Day of Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Biology (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1979).

Many, but not all of Judson's interviews are transcribed in full or entirely verbatim. In some cases, however, the transcripts are sketchy, and might more properly be called notes on a conversation. In case of doubt, the recordings alone (Rec. 113A) are the actual record, and reference should be made to them. It should be stressed that these transcripts and notes were made by Judson and may ignore background discussions that Judson had no need to refer to later, but that others may find of value.

Scope and content

The Judson Papers are comprised of 52 tape recorded oral history interviews and 1 linear foot of transcripts, 1968-1978, arranged alphabetically by the name of the interviewee. The collection forms a major resource for study of the early history of molecular biology and the development of nucleic acid.

Administrative information

Restrictions

Restrictions on use:

This collection is available for scholarly use at the American Philosophical Society Library, only with the prior written permission of Horace Judson. Judson may be reached through the APS Manuscripts Department.

Restrictions on access:

The files containing material regarding Matthew Meselson, Maurice Wilkinson, and women at King's College are closed indefinitely to researchers.

Provenance

The Horace Judson Papers were donated by Horace Judson in December 1978 (accession number 1979-70ms).

Preferred citation

Cite as: Horace Freeland Judson Collection, American Philosophical Society.

Processing information

Catalogued by Miriam Spectre, January 1996.

Alternate formats

The collection has been microfilmed in its entirety (Film 1402). The microfilm is arranged in a main alphabetical sequence, which is followed by interviews with scientists at the Cavendish Laboratory (Bragg, Kendrew, Barnett, Blow, Huxley, Phillips, and Klug), with scientists and others associated with the Pasteur Institute Laboratory (Jacob, Monod, Gros, Lwoff, Ephrussi, Cohen, Wollman, Perrin, Noufflard, Ullman, Jungelson, and members of Monod's family), with Max Perutz, and finally, by interviews with Brenner and Crick.

Other finding aids

The Judson Collection is also described in Bentley Glass Guide to the Genetics Collections of the American Philosophical Society (Philadelphia: APS, 1988).

Additional information

Separated material

The audiotapes have been removed for storage to the Audiovisal Collections (Rec. 113).