Finding Aid to the Records of the American Astronomical Society, 1897-1988, (bulk 1920-1980)

Selected Search Terms

These papers have been indexed in the International Catalog of Sources for History of Physics and Allied Sciences (ICOS) using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.

Institutional History

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) had its origin at a conference of astronomers and astrophysicists that was held October 18-20, 1897, in conjunction with the dedication of Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. A second conference was held at Harvard College Observatory on August 18-20, 1898, at which a committee was appointed to lay the ground work for a permanent national society of astronomers and astrophysicists. The purpose of the society was to be the "advancement of astronomy, astrophysics, and related branches of physics." The committee consisted of George E. Hale, Simon Newcomb, Edward C. Pickering, Edward W. Morley, and George C. Comstock. A meeting for preliminary organization was held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology on August 23, 1898, at which the committee was enlarged by the addition of Samuel P. Langley, Lewis Boss, Albert A. Michelson, and Joseph S. Ames. This enlarged committee was designated the Executive Council and was authorized to draft a constitution. A constitution was prepared at a meeting at the Smithsonian Institution, February 18, 1899.

The first official meeting of the Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of America, as the American Astronomical Society was then called, was held at Yerkes Observatory on September 6-8, 1899. At this meeting the constitution was adopted, and the Society's first officers were elected. In 1914, by amendment to the constitution the name of the Society was changed to the American Astronomical Society. In 1928 the American Astronomical Society was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, and Dearborn Observatory, Evanston, Illinois, was designated the Society's legal home. Membership in the Society was open to any person "deemed capable of preparing an acceptable paper on astronomy, astrophysics, or related branches of physics." In 1966 AAS became a Member Society of the American Institute of Physics.

The governing body of the Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of America was a council composed of the president, two vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, nine councilors, and two ex-presidents. Simon Newcomb was elected first president and remained president until 1905 when he was succeeded by Edward C. Pickering, who headed the Society until 1919. Some of the most prominent scientists in the twentieth century have been presidents of the Society.

During the early years of the Society meetings were held annually. Since 1920 two meetings have been held each year, one in late summer and one, for a time held in December and now held in January, with officers elected at the summer meetings. Programs at these meetings consist mainly of papers submitted by members which are later abstracted in the Society's official journals. The Society has also held symposia consisting of invited papers, which are published in the Society's journals. The first of the American Astronomical Society's journals, Publications, ceased publication with Volume X in 1943. Since that time, papers have been abstracted in the Astronomical Journal, acquired in 1941 by the American Astronomical Society from Dudley Observatory, Albany N.Y., which had been publishing it since 1849. The AAS now publishes it in conjunction with the American Institute of Physics. The Society also publishes the Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society in conjunction with the American Institute of Physics and collaborates with the University of Chicago in publishing the Astrophysical Journal, which was founded in 1895 and was purchased from the University of Chicago in 1972.

Throughout its history the Society has concerned itself with the issues of education and employment in the sciences, particularly astronomy. They have, at various times, run an appointment service, participated in the work of the Scientific Manpower Commission, and supported committees on the Teaching of Science and Math and a Task Group on Education in Astronomy. Among the Society's activities is the Visiting Professors Program which is financed by the National Science Foundation, and consists of both a domestic and foreign program. The American Astronomical Society awards a number of prizes, of which the Annie J. Cannon Prize is the oldest. This prize, created in 1933 by the distinguished astronomer Dr. Annie Jump Cannon, is given to a woman astronomer who has made a valuable contribution to astronomy and its allied sciences. The American Astronomical Society has also participated in the International Astronomical Union, founded in 1919 under the auspices of the International Research Council and the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU), predecessor of the IRC. The American National Research Council officially named the American Astronomical Society as agent with the American delegation.

As with most societies of this kind, the records of the Society were moved from place to place with each new officer for many years. But in 1962 the Society had become sufficiently large that the Council moved to set up a permanent full-time office with an executive officer and a secretary. The first executive officer was Paul Routly, whose appointment began August 15, 1962. Routly was succeeded in 1969 by Hank M. Gurin.

The original American Astronomical Society offices were located in Princeton, New Jersey. In September 1977 the Society began looking into setting up a national office in Washington, D.C. with the intention of being more involved with important issues of legislation affecting the sciences. In June 1978, the Society began advertising for a new executive officer who would take on the task of interacting with Congress and federal agencies. Peter Boyce moved into the position of executive officer at about the same time the new offices were opened in Washington, D.C. on March 1, 1979.

Scope and Contents of Collection

The records currently cover the period 1895-1988 and are described in three subgroups representing four separate accessions. It should be noted that the subgroups overlap and the same subjects may be covered in all three subgroups. Most of the surviving documentation on the organization's founding is in Subgroups I and II. Membership applications, correspondence, and lists found throughout give details on the growth of the organization. A complete set of minutes (1897-1962) can be found in Subgroup I, and there is a wealth of information on meetings of the AAS throughout. Subgroups II and III contain significant records on the founding of the American Section of the International Astronomical Union.

It should also be noted that there are significant gaps in these records. Since AAS did not have a permanent office for so many years, the records were shifted to each new officer causing many inactive records to be lost in the process. There is very little correspondence prior to 1915 and there is a large gap in the records of the treasurer.

Some of the topics discussed in the collection include education and employment of astronomers, insights into international relations in the scientific community after World War I, employment of astronomers during the Depression, the organization of scientific personnel in support of the war effort in the 1940s, the participation of women astronomers, and UFOs.

All photographs and negatives in the collection have been separated to the Emilio Segrè Visual Archives Collection. Photocopies of them remain with the records.

For specific information on the collection consult the more detailed descriptions in each of the three subgroups.

Arrangement of Collection

Because of their existing arrangement at the time of accession, different subject matter, and initial processing, each subgroup is arranged somewhat differently. The largest body of records (Subgroup I) is arranged primarily around the officers and divisions of the organization (president, treasurer, secretary, committees, etc.). Subgroup II is primarily arranged by subject, and Subgroup III is chronological. Therefore, because of the differing arrangements and overlapping dates, researchers should note that there is more than one place that a specific document might be found.

Alternate Formats of this Collection

Minutes, 1897-1962, available on microfilm.

Access to Collection

Permission of an officer of the American Astronomical Society required for access to records less than 50 years old. All other records open to approved researchers.

Restrictions on Use of Collection

Use of primary source material in the Niels Bohr Library requires prior approval through an Application for Access, which includes a statement of research purpose and the names and addresses of two scholars as references. Access applications can be obtained by contacting the Library (telephone 301-209-3177; or e-mail nbl@aip.org). The application can also be printed from our website.

Provenance and Acquisition Information

The Niels Bohr Library is the official repository for the archival records of the American Astronomical Society and continues to accession new groups of AAS records. These records were received by the Niels Bohr Library in four accessions during 1964, 1975, 1990, and 1998. The provenance of each accession is given in detail in the three subgroups of this finding aid. The main body of the records is described in Subgroup I and constitutes a combination of the 1990 and 1998 accessions. The 1975 accession is described in Subgroup II, and the 1964 accession in Subgroup III.

Preferred Citation of Collection

Permission to cite from this collection is required in advance from the director of the Center for History of Physics. Please cite as: Folder [Number], Box [Number], Records of the American Astronomical Society. Niels Bohr Library, American Institute of Physics. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740.

Materials Separated from Collection

Subgroup I. Publications of the American Astronomical Society, including indexes, were removed to the Niels Bohr Library. These include: Vol. 1-3 and 5-10; reprints from Popular Astronomy for meetings 16-18; report of the Committee on Stellar Parallaxes, 1915 and 1916; abstracts to be presented at meetings 127 and 129-130.

Photographs were added to the Emilio Segrè Visual Archives, including: group photos of the AIP Governing Board at the Niels Bohr Library (1971-1973, 1975-1977); informal group photos of J.A. Hynek, J.H. Heard and G.F.W. Mulders; and group photos from AAS meetings (1958 and 1959).

Subgroup III. Photographs and negatives of AAS meetings (1927, 1930, 1931, 1937, 1939) and IAU Meeting (1932) have been separated to the Emilio Segrè Visual Archives Collection.

Series Description

Subgroup I: 1990 and 1998 Accessions, 1895-1988 (bulk 1920-1980) Size: 17 linear feet (34 manuscript boxes)
Provenance: Subgroup I represents two additions to the records of the American Astronomical Society. The first was donated to the American Institute of Physics by deed of gift in January 1990. These documents were transferred by Dr. Roger A. Bell, Secretary, and deposited in the Archives of the Niels Bohr Library in March 1990. The second, smaller addition was donated and delivered by Dr. Robert Milkey, Executive Officer, on March 6, 1998.
Processing Information: The records contained in Scope and Content were processed and described in 1997-1998 by Marcia Frank Peri.
Scope and Content: These records of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) span the years between 1897, the year of its inception, and 1988 with the bulk of the materials falling between about 1930 and 1980. The documents have been organized into eight series: Office of the President/Executive Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Committee Files, Records of Meetings, Files Maintained by the Society Concerning Affiliated Organizations, Published Matter, and Photographs. A number of these series have been further arranged into subseries.
The collection contains a substantial amount of correspondence, memos, and circulars pertaining to the functions and activities of the Society along with a variety of reports, budgets, statements and proposals. Also included are rosters, such as those for Women in Astronomy, Society officers, and committee members; articles of incorporation, constitutions and bylaws including revision materials; invoices and receipts for various offices and for general membership; minutes of divisions, committees, and related institutions; the programs, agendas, news releases, scrap books and minute books of annual meetings; nomination forms, resumes, transcripts, and publications connected with membership, the awards committee, and the appointment service; brochures; offprints; journals; cassette tapes; and photos.
The volume of documents emanating from a specific office varies considerably over the years depending on the record keeping practices of the person holding the office. This being the case, in some areas there is a wealth of information and in others there is very little. Most significantly there is a substantial gap in the records of the treasurer. The scarcity of records for this office may be attributed to several factors, the most notable of which is documented in the correspondence of the secretary. On February 15, 1941 Frank C. Jordan, treasurer of the Society, was killed in an explosion at his home. Letters written to the secretary indicate that Society records kept at the house were destroyed in the ensuing fire. In addition, Society records in the possession of Frank K. Edmondson, a former Society treasurer, are currently deposited in the Indiana University Archive along with his personal papers.
Despite these and other less significant omissions in the record, there is a wealth of information on the early history of the American Astronomical Society, its growth and its development. The largest proportion of the materials pertain to the general organization and function of the Society itself. The remaining documents relate to the functions and activities of affiliated organizations with which the American Astronomical Society had a close working relationship.
The evolution of the Society can be seen in a variety of materials such as the files of the president and secretary. Within their records are documents recording the development of the national office in Washington, D.C., of new AAS divisions, and of committees. In the course of their history, committees were formed and abandoned as the interests and needs of the Society changed. This is particularly well documented in the records of the awards committees, where over the years new awards were created and older awards merged with newer ones. In addition Society membership records allow one to see the long term patterns in the criteria by which membership was granted and the overall growth of the American Astronomical Society. These records contain nomination forms, resumes, correspondence and notes concerning decisions made about the status of nominees. Also included are dues information and member lists for current, deceased, and honorary members.
There is a substantial amount of material concerning procedures and details surrounding the organization of annual meetings and of the meetings themselves. Of particular interest is the large number of letters from members concerning the decision by the Society to hold its annual meetings only in states that had ratified the ERA amendment. This caused a firestorm of controversy within the society; the result was that a significant number of members refused to pay their dues or resigned their membership.
Many of the interests of both the Society and its members are clearly documented in the American Astronomical Society's committee files and in the correspondence of its officers. Among the president's correspondence is a survey of the membership of AAS on the UFO problem, conducted by P. A. Sturrock, professor of space science and astrophysics at Stanford, and published in January 1977. The study looked at the possible causes of UFO reports and asks scientists whether they had observed UFO phenomenon similar to published reports. Sturrock was interested in whether the scientists believed such phenomenon deserved serious study in contrast to the way such observations were then being handled. Also of note is the Society's stand on the government requirement of street lighting which they opposed as a form of light pollution. The correspondence files of the secretary also show an ongoing interest in, and commitment to, providing translations of Russian abstracts and journal articles.
One of the critical issues for the American Astronomical Society has been the support of education and employment in the sciences, particularly that of astronomy. Committees and task groups were organized and maintained over the years pertaining to education in astronomy, teaching in the sciences, and manpower and employment. Some of these were held in conjunction with government programs, the most notable of which were the development of curricula and organization of scientific personnel in support of the war effort in the 1940's and in the Manpower and Employment program of the 1970's. In addition the Society ran an Appointment Service, a sort of clearing house for jobs in astronomy, during the depression, which is heavily documented.
There are letters from institutions and individuals looking for qualified personnel, letters of recommendation, and correspondence concerning candidates. The bulk of the documents consist of letters, resumes, transcripts and photos from individuals seeking employment.
There is in this collection a significant volume of material which does not deal specifically with the internal activities of the American Astronomical Society but with other related organizations. These are the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Astrophysical Journal and the University of Chicago, the Astronomical Society and the American Institute of Physics, and the International Astronomical Union. The materials provide a clear picture of the interactions between the organizations and the American Astronomical Society, many of whose officers were members and officers in these organizations as well. The files include correspondence, minutes, reports, and meeting materials as well as constitutions and bylaws.
Arrangement: The first component of this collection was surveyed on site by AAS Historical Astronomy Division member David H. DeVorkin before it was donated to the AIP History Center. He found that the original order of the records had largely been lost and that folders from different sources and different time periods had been interfiled in the same boxes.
The initial inventory done at the beginning of processing confirmed DeVorkin's assessment; in addition it was found that the headings of folders often did not accurately reflect their contents. As a result, the present organization of these records is based largely on the organizational structure of AAS and the subjects covered instead of the order in which they were received. When files were found together in a clearly discernable order, that order was maintained. However, many files were out of order, and these were organized by the office of origin, e.g., president/executive officer, or by the subject matter that they cover.
Many documents, particularly those from the 1930s and 1940s, were in very brittle condition. These were copied onto archival bond and the originals disposed of. Programs and other materials were removed from acidic pages on which they had been mounted and the books and binders were disposed of. The exception to this procedure was in the treatment of the early scrap books and minute books. In these cases, it was impossible to remove documents from the brittle paper onto which they had been glued without damaging the documents, so they were left as they were found. With a few exceptions photographs found in the collection have been removed and placed in the Emilio Segrè Visual Archive. Remaining with the collection are a few snapshots attached to resumes which have no importance out of their original context, and two 8x10 and one 11x14 glass plate negatives of group meetings.
Materials from the second addition are made up largely of programs, announcements, minute books, and printed matter and have been incorporated into the structure of the first addition.
Where items were undated, and evidence for dating was available from surrounding materials, the processor has added dates in brackets.
		Subgroup I, Series I: President/Executive Officer, 1895-1986 (bulk 1950-1978) Boxes 1-3
		Correspondence is separated by office: president and executive officer, with general correspondence arranged in date order followed by subject files in alphabetical order. Rosters are organized by type and are in date order as are articles of incorporation and constitution and bylaw revisions. AAS Division files containing correspondence, reports, minutes, and constitution and bylaws are in alphabetical order by the name of the division.
			Subseries A. Correspondence
			Subseries B. Rosters
			Subseries C. Articles of Incorporation, Constitutions and Bylaws
			Subseries D. Divisions
		Subgroup I, Series II: Treasurer, 1935-1976 (bulk 1955-1975) Box 4
		General correspondence is arranged in chronological order followed by correspondence subject files in alphabetical order. Financial reports and budgets are organized by office and then in date order.
			Subseries A. Correspondence and Memos
			Subseries B. Financial Records
		Subgroup I, Series III: Secretary, 1912-1984 (bulk 1930-1979) Boxes 5-16
		The secretary's correspondence is arranged in the same manner as the preceding officers. Correspondence subject files may contain reports, proposals, news releases, and forms in addition to correspondence. Orders and Invoices are in alphabetical order by type. Membership materials consisting of correspondence, orders and invoices, and nomination forms are arranged in alphabetical order by subject and thereafter in date order. The files of the Appointment Service which contain correspondence, resumes, transcripts, photos and brochures, are divided into two groups; those seeking employment and those looking to hire. Each group is then arranged in chronological order by year. Awards and Prizes are in alphabetical order by title of the award and subsequently in date order. These files contain bank records, reports, memos, correspondence, resumes, and abstracts. Cassette tapes, boxed separately, are undated and contain the minutes of council meetings.
			Subseries A. Correspondence
			Subseries B. Cassette Tapes
			Subseries C. Orders and Invoices
			Subseries D. Membership
			Subseries E. Appointment Service
			Subseries F. Awards and Prizes
		Subgroup I, Series IV: Committees, 1940-1980 (bulk, 1968-1980) Boxes 16-19
		The memos, minutes, agendas, resumes, reports, correspondence and questionnaires that comprise the committee files are arranged in alphabetical order by the title of the committee and then in date order.
		Subgroup I, Series V: Meetings, 1897-1988 (bulk 1920-1980) Boxes 19-28
		Meeting files are in chronological order by meeting date and contain correspondence, contracts, brochures, arrangement charts, resolutions, minute drafts and reports. Organizational files are in alphabetical order by subject and contain similar materials. Signature books, minute books, programs and preliminary announcement pamphlets and scrapbooks are arranged in chronological order.
			Subseries A. Meeting Files
			Subseries B. Organizational Materials
			Subseries C. Signature Books
			Subseries D. Programs and Preliminary Announcements
			Subseries E. Minute Books
		Subgroup I, Series VI: Affiliated Organizations, 1922-1980 (bulk 1940-1979) Boxes 29-34
		AAAS correspondence, reports and memos are arranged in chronological order. Correspondence for both the Astrophysical Journal and Astronomical Journal are arranged in chronological order with subject files following in alphabetical order. Constitutions and bylaws, reports, and circulars pertaining to the Astronomical Journal and the American Institute of Physics are in date order. Meeting files are in alpha order by subject. The records of the IAU/USNC are arranged in date order within each of the each subject.
			Subseries A. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
			Subseries B. Astrophysical Journal
			Subseries C. Astronomical Journal/AIP
			Subseries D. International Astronomical Union

Subgroup II: 1975 Accession, 1898-1936 (bulk 1898-1918; 1930-1934) 5 linear feet (10 manuscript boxes)
Provenance: This addition to the archival records of the American Astronomical Society was transferred to the Niels Bohr Library in September 1975. The records were then in the hands of the executive officer of the Society, Hank M. Gurin, who had received them as part of a transfer of AAS materials from the Yerkes Observatory in July of that year.
Scope and Content: The records in Subgroup II include some of the founding documents of the organization, such as a signature list of the charter members, annotated copies of the constitution, handwritten minutes of the Council (1899-1901), drafts of the founding resolution, and the program and minutes of the third conference held in September 1899 at Yerkes Observatory.
The correspondence is primarily that of the secretary and concerns the general business of the society from 1898-1917. Some correspondence subject files concern proposed resolutions and communication with other organizations (1913-1935), but are by no means extensive or complete. A set of Council minutes is nearly complete, beginning with the 27th meeting in 1921 through the 56th meeting in 1936; the 28th meeting is missing. The secretary/treasurer's reports cover the years 1927-1935. There are individual meeting folders for 12 meetings (1909-1917). The membership files include lists, applications, elections, notifications and some correspondence for the period 1898 through 1935, but with many gaps and fragmentary information.
Records from the American Section of the International Astronomical Union document the years 1922-1934, including correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports. Again, there are gaps.
This portion of the collection fills in some of the missing years in the earlier accession (Subgroup III), namely the 1898-1917 period, and includes some of the founding documents, the records of the AAS remain incomplete.
		Subgroup II, Series I: Founding Documents of the Society, 1898-1918 Box 1
		Materials dealing with the founding of the Society, including lists of charter members, initial proceedings for forming the union, constitutions, bylaws and resolution.
		Subgroup II, Series II: Correspondence, 1898-1935 Boxes 1-4
		The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent in Boxes 1-3, and primarily concerns issues of membership, meetings, papers, and the general business of the Society during the years 1898-1917. In Box 4, correspondence is arranged alphabetically by subject and covers the years 1913-1935. Some of the latter includes communications on other organizations and resolutions.
		Subgroup II, Series III: Council, 1899-1936 Boxes 4-5
		Includes Minutes of Council (1921-1936); secretary and treasurer's reports (1927-1935); individual committee reports, minutes, and correspondence; and committee materials dealing with arrangements for the 1932 meeting of IAU in the U.S. Arranged chronologically, then alphabetically.
		Subgroup II, Series IV: Meetings, 1899-1934 Boxes 6-7
		General subject folders concerning meetings (hotels, transportation, etc.). Individual folders for meetings 1910-1917. Arranged chronologically.
		Subgroup II, Series V: Membership, 1898-1936 Box 8
		Lists of early members, membership applications, election notifications, and correspondence. Includes 2 folders of the secretary's accounting records for 1911-1914. Arranged alphabetically by subject.
		Subgroup II, Series VI: Publications, 1910-1936 Box 9
		Copies of Publications (Vol. II and III), publication agreements, proofs, correspondence regarding distribution and rejected papers. Arranged alphabetically.
		Subgroup II, Series VII: International Astronomical Union, American Section, 1922-1935 Box 10
		Executive Committee minutes; reports, correspondence of committees, and accounts and receipts for 1928.

Subgroup III: 1964 Accession, 1915-1939 (bulk 1915-1926) 9 linear feet (18 manuscript boxes)
Provenance: This was the first group of records to be transferred to the Center for History of Physics by vote of the Council of the American Astronomical Society on June 24, 1964. As was customary, these records had previously been passed from secretary to secretary having had no permanent home until acquisition by the Center. At the time of the actual transfer in July 1965 the papers were in the custody of the current secretary of the AAS, George C. McVittie, University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois.
Scope and Content: The collection consists mostly of general correspondence among the officers of the Society, reports, minutes of meetings, and a few reprints for the years 1915, 1917-1927, 1937-1939. Also included are records documenting the founding of the American Section of the International Astronomical Union, 1919-1920 and intermittent records 1925-1932. Among the correspondents are: Charles G. Abbot, Benjamin Boss, Annie J. Cannon, W. W. Campbell, George C. Comstock, George E. Hale, Edwin Hubble, Albert A. Michelson, Edward C. Pickering, Henry Norris Russell, Harlow Shapley, Joel Stebbins, Frank Schlesinger. Some of the topics covered in these records include: insights into international relations throughout the scientific community after World War I, George E. Hale's correspondence on the one-hundred inch telescope, and the participation of women astronomers in the AAS. Panoramic photographs and negatives of AAS group meetings are included for 1930, 1931, 1933 and 1937.
Correspondence and records of 1916, and 1928-1936 are not included in this portion of the collection.
Arrangement: The records are arranged chronologically, 1915, 1917-1927, 1937-1939. A second series of the American Section of the International Astronomical Union is arranged chronologically, 1919, 1920, 1922.
		Subgroup III, Series I: Correspondence, Reports, Minutes, 1915, 1917-1927, 1937-1939 Boxes 1-13
		The correspondence is arranged chronologically by year and then alphabetically by correspondent. Reports, minutes, publications follow the correspondence for each year.
		Subgroup III, Series II: Founding of the American Section of the International Astronomical Union, 1919-1922 Boxes 14-18
		Arrangement: The correspondence is arranged chronologically by year and then alphabetically by correspondent. Reports minutes, publications follow the correspondence for each year.

Container List

Subgroup I: 1990 and 1998 Accession
		Subgroup I, Series I: President/Executive Officer, 1895-1986
			Subseries A. Correspondence
Box 1	Folder 1			D.H. Menzel, 1955
	Folder 2			D.H. Menzel/Paul Merrill, 1956
	Folder 3			Paul Merrill, 1957
	Folder 4			Paul Merrill, 1958-1959
	Folder 5			Lyman Spitzer, C.S. Beals, Leo Goldberg, 1961-1968
	Folder 6			A.E. Whitford, 1969-1972
	Folder 7			Martin Schwarzchild, 1969-1972
	Folder 8			Margaret Burbidge/UFO Survey, 1974-1977
	Folder 9			Margaret Burbidge, 1976-1977
	Folder 10			Margaret Burbidge, Jan-Aug 1978
	Folder 11			Margaret Burbidge ERA Controversy, 1978
Box 2	Folder 1			Ivan King, July 1978 - June 1979
	Folder 2			Paul M. Routly, 1965-1969
			Subseries B. Rosters
Box 2	Folder 3			Journal Editors, 1895-1965
	Folder 4			Officers and Councilors, 1919, 1927-1936
	Folder 5			Officers, Councilors, and Members, 1950-1955
	Folder 6			Officers, Councilors, and Members, 1962
	Folder 7			Officers, Councilors, and Committees, 1968
	Folder 8			Officers, chronological lists, 1900-1969
	Folder 9			Officers and Nominees, alpha lists, 1900-1969
	Folder 10			Officers and Committees, 1900-1969
	Folder 11			Officers, Councilors, Awards Recipients, 1971
	Folder 12			Officers and Nominees, 1975
	Folder 13			Officers, Councilors, and Committees, 1977
	Folder 14			Officers, Councilors, and Committees, 1980
Box 3	Folder 1			Women Astronomers, 1974
			Subseries C. Articles of Incorporation, Constitutions and Bylaws
Box 3	Folder 2			Articles of Incorporation, 1927-1940
	Folder 3			Constitutions and Bylaws, 1899, 1911, 1918, and 1927
	Folder 4			Constitution and Bylaws, 1929
	Folder 5			Constitution and Bylaws, 1952, 1956-1957
	Folder 6			Constitution and Bylaws, 1960-1961
	Folder 7			Constitution and Bylaws, 1966
	Folder 8			Constitution and Bylaws, 1968-1969
	Folder 9			Constitution and Bylaws, 1970-1973
	Folder 10			Constitution and Bylaws, 1978-1979
	Folder 11			Constitution and Bylaws, 1986
			Subseries D. Divisions
Box 3	Folder 12			Dynamical Astronomy
	Folder 13			High Energy Astrophysics
	Folder 14			Petitions for Divisions
	Folder 15			Physical Sciences
	Folder 16			Planetary Sciences
	Folder 17			Solar Physics
		Subgroup I, Series II: Treasurer, 1935-1976
			Subseries A. Correspondence and Memos
Box 4	Folder 1			Frank Jordan, 1935
	Folder 2			Frank Jordan, 1936
	Folder 3			Frank Edmondson, 1956
	Folder 4			Frank Edmondson, 1960
	Folder 5			Frank Edmondson, 1961
	Folder 6			Frank Edmondson, 1962-1963
	Folder 7			Frank Edmondson, 1964
	Folder 8			Frank Edmondson, 1965
	Folder 9			Frank Edmondson, 1966
	Folder 10			Frank Edmondson, 1967
	Folder 11			Frank Edmondson, 1968
	Folder 12			Frank Edmondson, 1969
	Folder 13			Frank Edmondson, 1970
	Folder 14			Frank Edmondson, 1971
	Folder 15			Frank Edmondson, 1972
	Folder 16			Gould Fund, 1975
			Subseries B. Financial Records
Box 4	Folder 17			Budget-Executive Officer, 1974
	Folder 18			Budget-Secretary, 1955-1956
	Folder 19			Budget/Annual Report-Treasurer, 1947, 1955, 1962, 1964, 1967
	Folder 20			Statements and Audit Reports, 1949, 1969-1971, 1976
		Subgroup I, Series III: Secretary, 1912-1984
			Subseries A. Correspondence
Box 5	Folder 1			Unidentified, 1912, 1916
	Folder 1			Joel Stebbins, 1923-1925
	Folder 2			Joel Stebbins, 1926-1927
	Folder 3			R.S. Dugan, 1928-1929
	Folder 4			R.S. Dugan, 1930-1931
	Folder 5			R.S. Dugan, 1932-1933
	Folder 6			R.S. Dugan, 1934
	Folder 7			R.S. Dugan, 1935
	Folder 8			R.S. Dugan, 1936
	Folder 9			D.B. McLaughlin, 1940
	Folder 10			D.B. McLaughlin, 1941
	Folder 11			D.B. McLaughlin, 1942
	Folder 12			D.B. McLaughlin, 1943, 1945
	Folder 13			C.M. Huffer, 1952
	Folder 14			J. Allen Hynek, 1955
	Folder 15			J. Allen Hynek, 1956
Box 6	Folder 1			J. Allen Hynek, Jan-June 1957
	Folder 2			J. Allen Hynek, July-Dec. 1957
	Folder 3			J. Allen Hynek, 1958
	Folder 4			J. Allen Hynek, Jan.-July 1959
	Folder 5			J. Allen Hynek, Aug.-Dec. 1959
	Folder 6			J. Allen Hynek, 1960
	Folder 7			J. Allen Hynek, 1961
	Folder 8			G.C. McVittie, Harlan Smith, 1962
	Folder 9			G.C. McVittie, 1964
	Folder 10			G.C. McVittie, 1965
	Folder 11			G.C. McVittie, 1966
Box 7	Folder 1			G.C. McVittie, 1967
	Folder 2			G.C. McVittie, 1968
	Folder 3			G.C. McVittie, 1969
	Folder 4			Laurence Fredrick, 1970
	Folder 5			L. Fredrick, 1971
	Folder 6			L. Fredrick, 1972
	Folder 7			L. Fredrick, 1973
	Folder 8			L. Fredrick, 1974-1975
	Folder 9			L. Fredrick, 1976-1977
	Folder 10			L. Fredrick, 1978-1979
	Folder 11			Air Freight Service, 1979-1980
	Folder 12			AAS Cooperative Committee on the Teaching of Science and Mathematics, 1963-/1969
	Folder 13			Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 1953-1968
Box 8	Folder 1			Awards and Prizes, 1958
	Folder 2			Awards and Prizes, 1963-1967
	Folder 3			Cameron Gift, 1973
	Folder 4			Charter Flights, 1973-1975
	Folder 5			Capernicus Stamp, 1970-1971
	Folder 6			Corporate Status, 1962-1968
	Folder 7			Council-AAS, 1977
	Folder 8			Council Action Letters, 1974
	Folder 9			Divisions, 1972
	Folder 10			Executive Committee, 1956, 1961-1963
	Folder 11			Executive Committee, 1964-1968
	Folder 12			Executive Committee, 1976-1977
	Folder 13			Expense Statements, 1947-1948, 1955-1960, 1963-1964, 1972, 1974
	Folder 14			5-Lacertae, 1956-1957
	Folder 15			Robert P. Kraft, 1978
	Folder 16			Form Letters, 1974-1980
	Folder 17			Future Meetings, 1970-1974
	Folder 18			Insurance File, 1972-1979
	Folder 19			Invitations, 1969-1972, 1979
	Folder 20			MIRA, 1972
	Folder 21			W.W. Morgan, 1969
	Folder 22			National Park Grant, 1974-1977
	Folder 23			National Research Council, 1956-1957
	Folder 24			National Research Council, 1958-1959
Box 9	Folder 1			National Research Council, 1979
	Folder 2			National Science Foundation-Mini Grant, 1978
	Folder 3			NSF MiniGrant - G. Westerhout, 1978-1979
	Folder 4			Officers and Councilors, 1973-1975
	Folder 5			Physics Today, 1978
	Folder 6			Postal Service Problems, 1976-1979
	Folder 7			Procedures for Office of Secretary
	Folder 8			Project Able, 1966-1967
	Folder 9			Publications Dispatch Service, 1979-1980
	Folder 10			Questionnaire, 1973
	Folder 11			Roster of Science and Specialized Personnel, 1942-1945
	Folder 12			Scientific Manpower Commission, 1953
	Folder 13			Scientific Manpower Commission, 1960-1976
	Folder 14			Survey of Physicists and Society Members, 1972
	Folder 15			Tax Status, 1965, 1971-1979
	Folder 16			TGEA, 1972-1974
	Folder 17			TGEA, 1975-1979
	Folder 18			World Almanac, 1964
			Subseries B. Cassette Tapes
Box 10				Nine (9) tapes with unidentified recordings of AAS Executive Committee Meetings. Few dates are mentioned and the closest date approximation for those with dates casually mentioned are 1976-1981.
			Subseries C. Orders and Invoices
Box 11	Folder 1			BAAS Payments, 1974-1975
	Folder 2			General Stores Requisitions, 1979-1980
	Folder 3			King Lindsay Printing Co., 1973-1979
	Folder 4			Litow, Rose, 1974-1979
	Folder 5			Pierson, Richard, 1979
	Folder 6			Payments - Misc., 1958-1969
			Subseries D. Membership
Box 11	Folder 7			Directory--Orders and Invoices, 1969-1970
	Folder 8			Directory--Orders and Invoices, 1971
	Folder 9			Directory--Orders and Invoices, 1972
	Folder 10			Dues--Arrears, 1976
	Folder 11			Dues--Arrears, 1979
	Folder 12			Report - Dues and Membership in Scientific Societies, 1960
	Folder 13			Dues--Withheld - ERA Controversy, 1979-1980
Box 12	Folder 1			Analysis of Numbers, 1931-1964
	Folder 2			Corporate, 1963-1965
	Folder 3			Corporate, 1966
	Folder 4			Corporate, 1967
	Folder 5			Corporate, 1968-1969
	Folder 6			Deceased, 1960-1965
	Folder 7			Deceased, 1966-1969
	Folder 8			Deceased, 1970-1979
	Folder 9			Emeritus, 1972-1977
	Folder 10			Honorary, 1928, 1935, 1955
	Folder 11			Junior, 1978
	Folder 12			Member List, 1911-1939
	Folder 13			Resignations and Drops, 1979
	Folder 14			Retired, 1972
	Folder 15			Return Mail/Change of Address, 1966-1967
	Folder 16			Return Mail/Change of Address, 1978-1980
	Folder 17			Nominations, 1927-1936
	Folder 18			Nominations, 1956-1970
Box 13	Folder 1			Nominations--Accepted, 1969-1972
	Folder 2			Nominations--Rejected, 1964-1967
	Folder 3			Nominations--Rejected, 1968-1972
	Folder 4			Nominations--Returned for Completion, 1969-1972
	Folder 5			Promotions, 1968-1972, 1979
			Subseries E. Appointment Service
Box 13	Folder 6			Applicants, 1930
	Folder 7			Applicants, 1931
	Folder 8			Applicants, 1932
	Folder 9			Applicants, 1933
	Folder 10			Applicants, 1934
	Folder 11			Applicants, 1935
	Folder 12			Applicants, 1936
Box 14	Folder 1