Finding Aid to the American Physical Society, Astrophysics Division, Records of the Secretary/Treasurer, 1970-1992

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.

History of the American Physical Society, Astrophysics Division, Office of the Secretary/Treasurer.

This sub-unit of the American Physical Society was founded in 1970 as the Division of Cosmic Physics. Its objective was the advancement of understanding of the various cosmic radiations and their astrophysical implications.

In 1983 the division changed its name to the Astrophysics Division, and its objective became the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of astrophysics and its relationship to the understanding of fundamental physical processes.

Membership is open to any member of the American Physical Society by application and payment of dues.

Scope and Contents of Collection

Collection contains minutes of Executive Committee, program committee and fellowship committee; financial statements; memoranda; constitution and by-laws; materials on elections, awards, and membership. These records date from the beginning of the division in1970 through 1992.

Arrangement/Organization of Collection

The records from 1970-1988 were received in nine 3-ring binders. There were three binders holding the organizational records, minutes, membership lists, and election correspondence; two contained the financial reports and records; one held the proposals and correspondence on the International Cosmic Ray Conference; and three binders held the general correspondence arranged in chronological order. This arrangement was maintained, but the materials were removed from the binders and placed in acid-free folders and archival document cases for preservation. Duplicate copies and all staples, clips, and rubberbands were removed.

To facilitate access, the files were ordered into three Series: I. Organizational Records, II. Financial Records, and III. General Correspondence. The researcher should search the General Correspondence files for pieces of information missing from other files, e.g., the 1983 executive committee minutes.

Access to Collection

Permission of an officer of the Astrophysics Division required for access to records less than 25 years old.

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 records from 1970-1988 were received in 1994 from Frank C. Jones, a former Secretary/Treasurer. The records from 1989-1992 were received from Irene Engle, the then current Secretary/Treasurer in 1994.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Sandra Johnson, September 1995.

The records from 1989-1992 were received in manila file folders with similar headings, but without continuous membership lists or a general correspondence file after 1987. These records were integrated with the earlier files, and also placed in acid-free folders and rehoused in document cases for preservation.

Preferred Citation of Collection

Cite as: [Folder title, date; Folder number, Box number], American Physical Society, Astrophysics Division, Records of the Secretary/Treasurer, 1970-1992. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library, College Park, MD, 20740 USA.

Other Related Materials

The AIP Niels Bohr Library has a wide variety of materials relating to the American Physical Society. Of primary importance is the Records of the American Physical Society, 1899-1987. Also see the Joint symposium of the Division of Astrophysics and the Forum for History of Physics (sound recording), 1987 April 21 & 22.

Container List

Series I. Organizational Records, 1970-1992 Boxes 1-2
Box 1	Folder 1	Constitution and Bylaws
	Folder 2	Membership List, 1970-71
	Folder 3	Membership List, 1972-73
	Folder 4	Membership List, 1974-75
	Folder 5	Membership List, 1976-77
	Folder 6	Membership List, 1978-79
	Folder 7	Membership List, 1980
	Folder 8	Membership List, 1981
	Folder 9	Membership List, 1983
	Folder 10	Membership List, 1984
	Folder 11	Membership Data, 1970-92
	Folder 12	List of Officers, 1971-84
	Folder 13	Minutes, 1970-82
	Folder 14	Executive Committee, 1984
	Folder 15	Executive Committee, 1985
	Folder 16	Executive Committee, 1986
	Folder 17	Executive Committee, 1987
	Folder 18	Executive Committee, 1988
	Folder 19	Executive Committee, 1989
	Folder 20	Executive Committee, 1990
	Folder 21	Executive Committee, 1991
	Folder 22	Executive Committee, 1992
Box 2	Folder 1	Election Correspondence, 1970-73
	Folder 2	Election Correspondence, 1974-76
	Folder 3	Election Correspondence, 1977-79
	Folder 4	Election Correspondence, 1980-81
	Folder 5	Election Correspondence, 1982
	Folder 6	Election Correspondence, 1983
	Folder 7	Election Correspondence, 1984
	Folder 8	Election Correspondence, 1985-87
	Folder 9	Election Correspondence, 1988
	Folder 10	Election Correspondence, 1989
	Folder 11	Election Correspondence, 1991
	Folder 12	Election Correspondence, 1992
	Folder 13	Fellowship Committee, 1970-87
	Folder 14	Program Committee, 1989
	Folder 15	Program Committee, 1990
	Folder 16	Program Committee, 1992

Series II. Financial Records, 1973-1992 Box 3
Box 3	Folder 1	Reports and Correspondence, 1973-74
	Folder 2	Reports and Correspondence, 1975-76
	Folder 3	Reports and Correspondence, 1977-78
	Folder 4	Reports and Correspondence, 1979
	Folder 5	Reports and Correspondence, 1980
	Folder 6	Reports and Correspondence, 1981
	Folder 7	Reports and Correspondence, 1982
	Folder 8	Reports and Correspondence, 1983
	Folder 9	Reports and Correspondence, 1984
	Folder 10	Reports and Correspondence, 1985-86
	Folder 11	Reports and Correspondence, 1987-88
	Folder 12	Reports and Correspondence, 1989-92
	Folder 13	Bank Statements 1980-84

Series III. General Correspondence, 1970-1987 Boxes 3-4
Box 3	Folder 14	Proposal to Smithsonian Institution for Travel to International Cosmic Ray Conference, 1983-83
	Folder 15	Proposal to National Science Foundation for Travel to International Cosmic Ray Conference, 1982-83
	Folder 16	International Cosmic Ray Conference Correspondence, 1982-83
	Folder 17	International Cosmic Ray Conference Materials, 1983
Box 4	Folder 1	Correspondence, 1970-71
	Folder 2	Correspondence, 1972
	Folder 3	Correspondence, 1973
	Folder 4	Correspondence, 1974-75
	Folder 5	Correspondence, 1976-77
	Folder 6	Correspondence, 1978
	Folder 7	Correspondence, 1979
	Folder 8	Correspondence, Jan. - June 1980
	Folder 9	Correspondence, July - Dec. 1980
	Folder 10	Correspondence, Jan. - March 1981
	Folder 11	Correspondence, Apr. - Aug. 1981
	Folder 12	Correspondence, Sept. - Dec. 1981
	Folder 13	Correspondence, Jan. - Mar. 1982
	Folder 14	Correspondence, Apr. - Aug. 1982
	Folder 15	Correspondence, Sept. - Dec. 1982
	Folder 16	Correspondence, Jan. - Mar. 1983
	Folder 17	Correspondence, Apr. 1983
	Folder 18	Correspondence, May 1983
	Folder 19	Correspondence, June - Aug. 1983
	Folder 20	Correspondence, Sept. - Dec. 1983
	Folder 21	Correspondence, Jan. 1984
	Folder 22	Correspondence, Feb. 1984
	Folder 23	Correspondence, Mar. - Apr. 1984
	Folder 24	Correspondence, May - Aug. 1984
	Folder 25	Correspondence, Sept. - Dec. 1984
	Folder 26	Correspondence, 1985
	Folder 27	Correspondence, 1986-87