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P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
LIST OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
A,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND PERSONAL
A.1 - A.106
Introduction to Section A
Avth.
= A0
Obituaries and tributes
Biographical and bibliographical
notes
A.11
- A.39
Career and appointments
A.40
-
A.84
Honours and awards
Correspondence and letters of
congratulation
A.85
-A.104_
Scrolls, Certificates and Diplomas
A.105 -A.106
Photographs and press-cuttings
B.
PARTICLE DISINTEGRATION, COSMIC RAYS,
ASTROPHYSICS
|
B.1 - B.147
Introduction to Section B
B.1
-
B.21
Laboratory notebooks on particle
disintegration, 1920-32, with an
introductory note
Working notes and papers on
particle disintegration and
cosmic rays, 1923-56, with an
introductory note
introductory note
Lectures, broadcasts, publications,
1932-60, with an introductory note
Working notes on theories of the
origin of cosmic rays, 1949-55
Photographs of particle
disintegration and cosmic rays
Working notes on astrophysics,
1953-52
Correspondence, 1923-74, with an
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
MAGNETISM
C.h-=:C.289
Introduction to Section C
Magnetic Spin and Rotating Bodies
C.1 - C.71
Introduction
C.1
- €.29
Working papers, lectures and
publications, 1946-54
C.30
- C.40
Notebooks, 1947-54, with an
introductory note
C.41
- C.71
Correspondence, 1946-73
Rock Magnetism, Continental Drift, Magnetic
Field Reversal
GC .72:- ©. 268
Introduction
C.72
- C.124
Working notes, data, correspondence,
1953-61
C.125 - C.188
C.189 - €.220
Lectures and papers on rock
magnetism, 1953-72
C.221 - C.268
Correspondence, 1952-74, with
an introductory note
Working notes, data, correspondence
on field reversal, 1963-73, with an
introductory note
High Temperature Plasmas, Controlled Fusion Reaction and
Pinched Discharges
C.286 - C.289
Miscellaneous Research Notes
C.269 - C.285
Notes and working papers, 1958-59, with an
introductory note
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
OD,
SECOND WORLD WAR AND GOVERNMENT
COMMITTEES
D.1:-.D5238
Introduction to Section D
Each of the sub-sections below is preceded by an
explanatory note on the content and presentation
of the material.
Dyk ae
Correspondence and papers,
1936-40
Projects in preparation for war
Photo-electric and promixity fuzes
Working papers, reports, committee
papers, correspondence, 1937-42
The Mark XIV Bombsight
Papers and reports, 1940-45, 1973
Bombing policy
Working papers, reports, corres-
pondence, 1941-46, 1962
Convoys and anti U-boat campaign
Reports, correspondence, 1942-43,
1959
D.126 - D.147
Correspondence, 1942 (only)
D.82
Miscellaneous wartime papers
D.148 - D.160
Chiefs of Staff Subcommittee on
Future Weapons, June 1945
Operational Research
Working papers, reports, lectures,
correspondence, 1940-74
1947-52
Joint Technical Warfare Committee
(Successor to the above), Oct.1945-
Apr.1947, 1959, 1964, 1972
Advisory Committee on Atomic
Energy (ACAE), Aug. 1945-Apr. 1949
Harwell Power Committee, May-Oct.
1946
R.A.F. Aircraft Research Committee,
1946-52
D.217 - D.218
Guided Weapons Advisory Committee,
D.83
- D.125
D.161 - D.183
D.184 - D.205
D.206 - D.208
D.209 - D.216
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
Introduction to Section E
Ci)
ow E2e
Association of Scientific
Workers, 1939-48, 1963-67, with
an introductory note
'The Gaitskell Group', 1956-63,
with an introductory note
Miscellaneous Socialist and
Labour Party activities, 1956-64
The Ministry of Technology
(Mintech), 1963-72, with an
introductory note
E.66 -
E.74
Miscellaneous Labour Party and
official committees, 1954-69
Pad “ee
F.52 -
F.85
Fis
SCIENCE-RELATED INTERESTS
E.75 -
E.76
Printed material
Lectures, broadcasts, working papers,
correspondence, on:
History of science and
technology, 1936-59, with
an introductory note
an introductory note
Science, education and
government, 1944-70, with
an introductory note
Nuclear weapons and
disarmament, 1948-64, with
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
5
Page
G.
OVERSEAS ACTIVITIES
G. 1 =.G; 126:
258
Introduction to Section G
India, 1947-73:
G.1- G.55
G.1
- G.31
Reports, lectures, papers,
1947-72
G.32 - G.44
Correspondence, mainly on
science and defence, 1949-73
G.45 -
G.51
Correspondence, mainly on
development, 1970-73
G.52.=
Goo.
Visits
Developing Countries, Visits and Conferences
06." 095 126
G.56 - G.76
Lectures and addresses, 1953-70
G.77 -
G.81
© Organisations and committees,
1959-73
258
260
260
266 -
268
269
270
G.85 - G.126
yl = Helse
Introduction to Section H
CORRESPONDENCE
Jt =: 5.158
G.82 - G.84
Correspondence, 1951, 1964-71
Visits and conferences, 1944-71,
with an introductory note
LECTURES, ADDRESSES, PUBLICATIONS,
BROADCASTS, 1934-73
INDEX OF CORRESPONDENTS
Introduction to Section J
CONSPECTUS OF PUBLICATIONS
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE COLLECTION
PROVENANCE
The material was assembled from various sources:
from Blackett's flat in London and his house in Wales, via Lady Blackett;
from his room at Imperial College, London, via the Royal Society and
Professor H. Elliot.
Lady Blackett currently retains Blackett's diaries of his service in the
Navy 1914-16 (see A.11), four bound volumes of press-cuttings, photographs and
other family documents.
CONTENT
The collection is extensive, relating to almost every aspect of Blackett's
long and varied career in science and in public life.
Blackett himself frequently
_used the material for lectures and writings on matters of particular personal or
historical interest such as his period of research at the Cavendish Laboratory,
Cambridge, under Rutherford, operational research and other controversies in the
1972, in which he says: '... | am considering the possibility of publishing a
With this in view, Blackett obtained published or typed copies of the writings
it
is apparent that, towards the end of his life, he was assembling material for
second world war, aspects of India's development, and the like.
Furthermore,
one or perhaps two books: a collection of writings and an autobiography.*
The
volume of my collective papers, essays, lectures, etc.' (see D.183);
in November
note in H.123 would also seem to be part of a draft introduction to such a work.
clearest statement of his intentions is in a letter to MLM. Gowing dated 22 May
1973 he writes in similar vein to the Director, National Maritime Museum: 'I am
See ADDENDUM on p.11.
chosen for inclusion, revised and emended them, and sometimes added new linking
It will be seen that none of these refers to any of Blackett's 'scientific' work in
writing up a good deal about my activities during the war ...' (see D.58); the
material.
Documents of this kind can be found in
D.58, D.110, D.183 (quoted in part above)
G.23-G.31, G.72, G.84
ret 4.64, 4.77, 4.96, H.109, Held, Hoe, 4.124:
the narrow sense.
*
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
As a result of these activities, and of the multiple provenance, the
collection when received was in doubtful order.
Although most of the folders
bore Blackett's own note of the contents, this was not always a reliable guide,
as he often 'cannibalised’ previous work when preparing a lecture or paper,
removing earlier work to a new folder or adding later material to the originals.
While every attempt has been made to retain Blackett's preferred order in so far
as it can be discerned, his headings and descriptions being preserved and indicated
by inverted commas in the catalogue entries, some re-organisation was undertaken
to bring the material under the broad headings of the List of Contents.
The introductory notes to the Sections and sub-sections of the catalogue
indicate the main areas of interest in the collection.
References to the ‘Tizard
Committee’ and the 'Tizard-Cherwell controversy’ are listed under Tizard in the
Index of Correspondents; similarly, material on Rutherford (see esp. H.80),
E.J. Williams, Nehru and others, can be located from the Index.
Various episodes in Blackett's career can be clarified, or more accurately
dated, from the manuscripts, and are briefly noted here in chronological order.
A.A. Command;
Fuller accounts appear in the catalogue entries.
J.35, correspondence with A.V. Hill on the date of Blackett's
appointment as Scientific Adviser to General Sir Frederick Pile,
D.84, Blackett's paper, ‘Scientists at the operational level', leading
to his appointment as Chief Adviser Operational Research, later
Labour Party advisers.
E.24, E.33, papers and correspondence on the 'Gaitskell Group' of
B.48, correspondence with C.D. Anderson on the discovery and naming
Director, Naval Operational Research;
D.174, J.3, correspondence with C.R. Attlee and others on Blackett's
paper on the international control of atomic energy;
of V-particles;
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
There are also the text of,
or material relating to a substantial number of
publications by Blackett omitted from the Bibliography accompanying the Memoir
by A.C.B. Lovell (Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, 21,
1975, 1-115, also available as a separate publication).
They are listed here in
catalogue sequence.
B.115,:8.116, 8.120
C.197-C.199
D.104, D.108
Fil9-F.2t, Fidd, Fi50, F.63, b./2-6.74
G.4 (Blackett's report on the organisation of the armed forces of
India), G.66, G.71, G.110
Hi8; H.40;.8.74,;:4. 77, 1. 105,. H. 122): A fae, 0 1. 157, Bic bar
SsOy
et t6
There are in addition many unpublished writings throughout the
collection.
For all the wealth of material in certain areas, there are lacunae elsewhere.
No documents survive, for example, relative to Blackett's long service with the
years, only that for 1942 survives (D.126 - D.147).
Blackett always had a fondness for acronyms and abbreviations, and this
grew stronger with age;
some of his later notes and drafts bristle with clusters of
inftials which, in conjunction with his increasingly cramped hand and his habit
Scientific and Industrial Research 1955-60;
and, of his correspondence in the war
National Research and Development Corporation 1949-64, o: the Department of
tinuing in Arabic numbers 2...n, make them difficult to follow or attribute with
of paginating by beginning with Roman | (on a page often later removed) and con-
research (C.182 - C.185) convey this especially clearly.
presence in the world of scientific research despite great pressures of public life,
confidence.
Conversely, one can only admire his determination to maintain a
and, later, of failing powers; the documents and correspondence on his last
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
PRESENTATION
The material in Sections A - H is presented chronologically within the
sub-sections designated in the list of contents.
Section J. Correspondence, is in
alphabetical order.
Many of the Sections and sub-sections include a brief
introductory note summarising their contents and drawing attention to material of
particular interest.
Scientific research notes and data
Blackeit's scientific fame rests in part on the versatility of mind which
enabled him to make significant contributions to knowledge in several areas of
research (particle disintegration, magnetic spin, rock magnetism) as well as to
develop the technique of operational research.
Nevertheless, these contributions
emerged from a gradual evolution in Blackett's thinking, and there is no sharp
switch from one to another even when there is a discontinuity in time (such as
the long period of war service) or place (such as the various moves from Cambridge
to Birkbeck, Manchester and Imperial College).
The distinction between Sections
B and C is therefore to some extent an artificial one, and cases of overlapping
material are noted in the entries.
Almost all the material was received in Blackett's own folders, usually
more manageable units, but kept together with a note of their original grouping.
Blackett's titles and descriptions of the folders are given in inverted commas.
notes, drafts and comments for talks or publications;
Blackett's or others' off-
prints, sometimes annotated; correspondence.
Bulky folders have been split into
Rays), 'R.M.' © Rock Magnetism).
The contents of the folders may be any or
with his note of the contents in some abbreviated form, e.g., 'C.R.' (= Cosmic
all of the following: laboratory experiments, datasheets, graphs and calculations;
material.
These sequences have been retained in his order, although the pagination, size of
Blackett kept various séquences of his notes clipped or pinned together.
drafts, proofs, etc.
No attempt has been made to give an account of such
Many of Blackett's own notes were made on the backs of previous notes,
paper, etc. are often heterogeneous.
P.M.S. blacker
CSAC 63/1/79
Lectures ond publications
Manuscript notes, typed drafts or offprints of Blackett's extensive output
of lectures and writings are to be found throughout the collection.
Those on
specific research topics were kept by him with the data in Sections B and C and
have been left there;
similarly with material on operational research in Section D
and on India in Section G.
Section F groups together talks on three topics arising
from Blackett's involvement in public life, and Section H contains the sequence of
all other surviving documents of this type, including his Anniversary Addresses as
President of the Royal Society and his speeches in the House of Lords.
Correspondence
Correspondence dealing with a specific research topic, lecture or
publication was usually kept by Blackett in the same folder as his notes and drafts
on the subject.
Such material has been left in place whenever possible, or,
if it has been re-allocated, a note has been made to that effect.
The corres-
pondence on magnetic spin (C.41 - C.71) and on rock magnetism (C.221 - C.268)
rays (B. 132 - B.147) is, though interesting, regrettably much less complete.
There is very little material remaining from the war years.
Correspondence on overseas activities (G.32 - G.51, G.82 - G.84)
also made of cases when only Blackett's carbon copy survives.
and an indication of any material of personal or scientific interest;
a note is
graph of his activity to be clearly seen.
The surviving correspondence on cosmic
is in chronological order and enables Blackett's thinking, his methods, and the
and general correspondence in Section J are in alphabetical order, with dates
concerned.
survive, with cross-references to any other material relating to the individual
The index on pp.361-401
includes correspondents from whom letters
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Conspectus
Pp.348-355
contain a Conspectus of Blackett's publications as listed
in the Bibliography of Lovell, Memoir, and the principal items in the collection
to which they refer.
There is anote onp. 8
above of several publications
omitted from this Bibliography, and there are many unpublished items.
A photo-
copy of the Bibliography is included by permission on pp. 356-360.
References
Material in every Section is linked as far as possible to A.C.B. Lovell,
Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, 21,1975, 1-115, of which
a copy is included in A.1.
References to the text are in the form Lovell, Memoir, p ...
References to the Bibliography are in the form RS ...
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
the manuscripts and correspondence in Section B.
We are grateful for the advice given by Dr. W.S.C. Williams on cosmic
rays, and by Professor E.A. Vincent on rock magnetism.
Our thanks are also due to Mrs. M.M. Edwards for careful and accurate
ADDENDUM
We are very pleased to acknowledge the invaluable work of Professor
H. Elliot and Dr. J.P. Asthury in identifying for the Conspectus of Publications
typing, and her patience with successive drafts and revisions of the cotalogue.
documents appear on p.13 as A.10A.
When this catalogue was in proof,
Lady Blackett contributed some additional
material, including plans and extracts from her husband's autobiography.
These
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
SECTION A
BIOGRAPHICAL AND PERSONAL A.1 - A.106
The material in this Section covers every aspect of Blackett's long and varied
career:
his scientific achievements, his academic posts in Manchester and London, his
wartime and political activities, and the many honours and awards he received.
Some of the material is in the form of photocopies of original documents still in
family hands.
A substantial proportion of the Section (A.45 - A.83) consists of letters, cables
and messages of congratulation received by Blackett on the award of the Nobel Prize
(1948), the Copley Medal (1956), the Companionship of Honour (1965),
his election
as President of the Royal Society (1965), the award of the Order of Merit (1967)
and his elevation to the peerage (1969).
Many of these letters contain material
of considerable biographical interest;
below, but are presented in alphabetical order, and indexed.
they are not individually itemised in the list
The material is presented as follows:
A.11
A. 40
A.1
-
A.10
A.39
Career and appointments
A.84
Honours and awards
Scrolls, Certificates and Diplomas
Obituaries and tributes
Biographical and bibliographical notes
Correspondence and letters of congratulation
With an introductory note
Photographs and press-cuttings
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
Obituary notices and tributes.
Includes memorial notices by:
H.S.W. Massey, Physics Today, September 1974.
E.C. Bullard, Nature, August 1974.
C.H. Waddington, C. Goodeve, R. Tomlinson, Operational
Research Quarterly.
Sir Bernard Lovell, Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of The
. Royal Society, 21, 1978, pp.1-115.
Annual report of Council, King's College, Cambridge, November 1974.
Biographical note of Blackett, pp.19-24.
3 pp. Typescript note by 1.A. Richards for Magdalene College
Magazine.
Letter to Blackett from Richards, 17 October 1957, congratulating him
on his address to the British Association.
Year Book, Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1975, note by E.P. Hudson.
'P.M.S. Blackett.
paper by S. and V. De Benedetti, annotated by Blackett.
Nobel Prize for Physics', 22 pp. photocopy of
(An account of Blackett's life, mostly about early work leading to
award of Nobel Prize.)
Memorial Meeting for Lord Blackett, Royal Society, 31 October 1974.
Reprint from Notes and Records, 29,
2, March 1975.
The Blackett Memorial Lecture delivered by Rt. Hon. H. Wilson at
Imperial College of Science and Technology, 3 December 1975,
on the occasion of the naming of the Blackett Laboratory.
hands.
Material received from Lady Blackett, re Blackett's planned autobiography.
Includes his notes on his career (3 pp.), ‘Various notes for autobiography!
(2 pp.), ‘Biographical notes to 1919' (5 pp.), ‘Extracts from diary kept
from 1914 to 1916' (10 pp.), ‘Interlude on Politics' (2 pp.), 'German
scientists brought to England after the War', 1945 (1 p.), 'Cosmic Ray
Conference Mexico 1961' on confiscation of passport (1 p.), etc.
included here is Lady Blackett's list of material still retained in family
Biographical material for Who's Who, Debrett, Who's Who in America, 3
Modern Men of Science, etc., of various dates.
Bibliographies, of various dates.
Curricula vitae, prepared by Blackett and Lady Blackett at various dates.
Also
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
First World War
"Naval Period':
with transcript of diary entries for 30 May -
script is incomplete, the last page reading ‘Three weeks later |
resigned from the Navy and became an.. .'
10 pp. typescript of autobiographical reminiscences,
The type-
1 June 1916.
Lady Blackett retains the daily diaries kept by Blackett of his war
service 1914-16.
See A.10A 0np.13.
2 pp. letter from Captain Lord Alastair Graham, 23 November 1967,
congratulating Blackett on the award of the O.M. and quoting from
the record which he kept of his cadets at Dartmouth.
For Blackett
he had entered:
Clever, quiet and nice.
and should turn out well.'
Remarks on character:
And in 4th term: Works and does well,
'Games: does not shine.
2 pp.
letter from H.E. Piggott, 25 February 1957, with reminiscences
of Blackett’s naval training, and his resignation from the Navy to take
up studies at Cambridge.
Moseley Research Fellowship
Photocopies of papers re Moseley Research Fellowship of the Royal
Society, awarded to Blackett for two years from 1 October 1923.
Letter from Blackett, 11 March 1924, requesting permission to spend
academic year 1924-25 in G&ttingen working with Franck ‘ata
problem concerning spectroscopy and electron impact, which has arisen
out of my work on the photography of alpha ray tracks’.
Application for Fellowship to study 'the passage of X-rays through
gases, particularly by the Wilson Condensation Method', 25 May
1923, with 2 pp. covering letter by Blackett to accompany the applica-
tion in which he explains that he would like 'to devote myself almost
exclusively to research for the next few years, but this will not be
possible on my Fellowship Cat King's] alone’.
Blackett to work in Gdttingen.
Note:
1924 about work in Géttingen, but no copy of this remains in the folder.
Lovell (Memoir, p.11) quotes an earlier letter of 27 February
The originals of these documents are at the Royal Society, London.
Letter from Rutherford to Jeans, 4 March 1924, giving permission for
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
Gdttingen
"James Franck Memorial Volume’, typescript, 6 pp., of contribution
by Blackett who recalled his year in G&ttingen (1924-25) and work
with Franck.
This note was prepared by Blackett for an edition by
Robert Platzman of the 'Selected Papers of James Franck’.
The collection of Franck's personal papers (which includes corres-
pondence and papers collected by Platzman) is located in the Joseph
Regenstein Library of the University of Chicago.
See also B.10 - B.12 for notebooks of research at Géttingen.
Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge
Photocopy of letter,
colleagues to Blackett who was on his honeymoon.
18 March 1924, from Cambridge
1924
'From the Club greetings - we feel that we have lost an electron
from our innermost ring .
‘Adiabatic Invariants':
E.C. Stoner, H.W.B. Skinner, P. Kapitza, and unidentified.
D.R. Hartree, K.G. Emeléus, J.E. Jones,
Written and signed by the
.'
.
1927
1930
Birkbeck College, London
Letter from A.W. Smith, Physics Department, Ohio State
University, offering one-year sabbatical appointment to
Blackett.
come for a shorter period.
Ms. draft of Blackett's reply asking if he could
Letter of appointment as Demonstrator in Physics, Cambridge,
30 November 1927.
Press-cuttings describing 11-ton magnet built by Metropolitan
Vickers Electric Company, Manchester, for Blackett who had
it transported -to London and installed in a wooden hut
("Magnet House’) for use by his Birkbeck team.
hand with some notes on dimensions added by Blackett.
Drawing of 'Approx. Arrgt. of magnet and fan' in another
P.M.S. Blacke
CSAC 63/1/79
tt
Section A - Biographical and personal
Second World War
(see also Section D)
Letter from Air Ministry, 5 May 1939, thanking Blackett
for his letter of 28 April accepting their invitation to serve
on the Committee for the Scientific Survey of Air Offence.
Correspondence re Blackett's exemption from regular fire-
watching duties.
Correspondence re Blackett's salary and appointment as
Chief Adviser on Operational Research, The Admiralty.
Blackett transferred from Coastal Command to the Admiralty
with effect from 10 December 1941 following his meeting with
the Admiralty's Scientific Research Advisory Committee, at which
he explained his methods of Operational Research (see Lovell,
Memoir, pp.60-61 and D.84).
Allied Expeditionary Force Permit, N.W. Europe, 4-9 July
1944,
1944
Nobel Prize
Photocopy of cable notifying award of Prize.
Photocopy of Blackett's correspondence with Vice-Chancellor
of Manchester University requesting permission for leave of
absence to journey to Stockholm to accept award.
Cable of congratulation on Nobel Prize sent from Princeton from
Uhlenbeck, Einstein, Yukawa, Pais, von Laue, Placzek,
Oppenheimer, Beblen.
Blackett was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1948 for
his development of the Wilson cloud chamber method and for
his discoveries in the field of nuclear physics and of cosmic
radiation.
all over the world.
Letter of congratulation from C.T.R. Wilson, 7 November 1948.
Blackett replied: 'l was so delighted to get your letter of con-
gratulation.
chamber;
develop still further this powerful method’.
See A.45-A.54 for messages of contratulation sent to Blackett
on the occasion of the Nobel Prize from friends and colleagues
All my work has depended on your invention of the cloud
|
feel very happy to have been able to carry on and
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A ~ Biographical and personal
A.18-A. 23
Imperial College of Science and Technology, London
In 1953 Blackett left Manchester to succeed G.P. Thomson as
Professor of Physics at Imperial College, London.
Correspondence about the Department, its staff, research
Note:
projects, academic and administrative matters,
inherited by Blackett
from G.P. Thomson, is in the manuscript collection of G.P. Thomson
at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Autograph letter from Blackett
Correspondence re Blackett's appointment as Professor of
Physics at Imperial College.
to D. Brunt (11 September 1952) suggests that he (Blackett)
might not have been the first choice for this post.
Letter of
appointment and Blackett's letter of acceptance are missing.
(Blackett was writing from Istituto di Fisica, Rome.)
Folder
includes correspondence with D. Brunt, Sir Roderic Hill (Rector)
and the University of London Registrar.
1952
Important letter from Blackett to Rector, 29 December 1952,
summarising fields of research then covered at Imperial College
and Blackett's own wish 'to effect some considerable concentration
of effort so as to produce fewer and stronger groups', including
‘in the first instance’ Cosmic Rays and Paleomagnetism.
Very
substantial ‘increase in finance is asked for.
Typescript 3 pp.
1952
Misc. short notes and correspondence re Blackett's service
at Imperial College:
See also C.72, Blackett's application to D.S.1.R. for research
grants.
Patent Agreement between Blackett and J.D. McGee,
Imperial College, and N.R.D.C. re Electronic
Tubes, October 1955.
October 1968-September 1971.
appointment to Senior Research Fellowship, October 1965 -
September 1968;
resignation from boards and committees on retirement from
the College;
conferment of title of ‘Professor Emeritus of Physics’;
renewal of appointment as Senior Research Fellow,
election to Fellowship of the College;
Image
1965-68
1965
1965
1965
1967
1968
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
Misc. short notes and correspondence re Blackett's service
at Imperial College:
1970-74
renewal of appointment as Senior Research Fellow,
October 1971-September 1974;
notices of seminars, colloquia, etc.;
renewal of appointment as Senior Research Fellow until
September 1977.
1971
1974
Blackett's returns for the 'Rector's Bulletin’ detailing his
activities, honours, outside lectures, etc.
1965-67
Blackett's Physics Departmental Expense account sheets.
1970-73
See also C.186.
Correspondence re academic posts in Cambridge, 1953-66.
Correspondence with Sir James Chadwick, June-July 1953
re Cavendish Chair.
has the original) of Blackett's copy of his autograph reply.
Includes photocopy (Lady Blackett
Includes photo-
Letter from Sir James Gray, January 1966, re Provostship
of King's.
File also includes correspondence with Master of Magdalene
(Walter Hamilton) re College Appeal.
(See also correspondence with R.A. Lyttleton, B.142, re
Mastership of St. John's.)
Correspondence with Richard Kahn (now Lord-Kahn),
September 1953, re Provostship of King's.
copy of Blackett's copy of his autograph reply.
A.25 continued
Douglas Jay re Blackett's resignation from National Research
Development Corporation following his appointment to the
Ministry of Technology.
December 1969, re extension of Blackett's service on Central
Advisory Council for Science and Technology.
Correspondence re Blackett's membership of official government
committees:
- Correspondence with Sir Solly (now Lord) Zuckerman,
1969
- Correspondence with Sir William Black and Rt. Hon.
1964
See also E.48 - E.65.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A ~ Biographical and personal
- Correspondence with F.S. (now Sir Frederick) Dainton
1970
re Blackett's membership of Council for Scientific Policy.
- Correspondence with Marquess of Lothian re Advisory
1970
Panel on Arms Control and Disarmament.
declined invitation to become a member.
Blackett
Photocopies of letters of biographical interest.
are held by Lady Blackett.
distributed to the appropriate folders (see A.11, A.14, A.17,
A.24, A.34).
Some other photocopies have been
The originals
Letter from H. Wright, 17 November 1932, congratulating
and thanking Blackett for his essay on 'The craft of experi-
mental physics’ which was published in University Studies
(ed. H. Wright).
1932
RS.25
Note of congratulation from J.J. Thomson, 3 March 1933.
With a later ms. note by Blackett ‘Positive electron or
election F.R.S.'
Letter from Alex Wood, 5 February 1935, with request that
Blackett should accept nomination as the Labour candidate
for Cambridge University.
Letter from Mrs. Sidney Webb, 2 May 1935, with request
that Blackett should read chapter on science in ‘our forth-
coming book! on Soviet Communism, before publication.
Postcard sent from Copenhagen, 21 June 1936, with message
from Niels Bohr 'We have all missed you very much but hope
to see you among us next time’;
with numerous signatures of
those attending.
Society.
Correspondence with General Sir Frederick Pile, March
1945.
Magician’.
Pile addresses his letter to Blackett 'My dear
Letters from B. Katz and D.C. Phillips, November-
December 1970 following Blackett's Presidency of the Royal
(Signatures not itemised.)
2 letters from Henry Kissinger.
Signed farewell letter on Blackett's retirement as first
Chairman, Research Grants Committee, Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research.
(Signatures not itemised.)
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
Correspondence re Blackett's ancestors and family.
1953, 1963-72
Small pocket notebook, labelled on front 'Martha 1931':
log of June-July sailing off S. coast of England.
Correspondence re cataloguing and permanent deposit of
Blackett's personal papers.
Correspondence with J. Epstein re his bronze sculpture
of Blackett's head.
Later correspondence with Lady
Epstein re Blackett's O.M. and re insurance value for
bronze head.
Correspondence re portraits of Blackett commissioned by
Manchester University and Imperial College.
were painted by Claude Rogers.
The portraits
Misc. correspondence re portraits and photographs of
Blackett.
1931
1972
1950-52
1967
1963-67
Interviews
1974
1971
1962, 1967-71
1953
See also J.117.
Press-cuttings re Blackett.
2 pp. typescript of interview with Blackett re Ministry of
Technology, 11 February 1974.
Blackett.
Heavily annotated by
14 pp. typescript of interview by Brian Connell from Anglia
T.V.
tape of this interview.
The National Film Archive, London, has a copy of the
Copy of resolution adopted by Senate and Council,
Manchester University, 1953, of appreciation of Blackett's
services to the University as Longworthy Professor of Physics
1937-53, Dean of the Faculty of Science 1948-50, member
of Council 1949-52 and Pro-Vice-Chancellor 1950-52.
(Includes photocopy of Blackett's autograph letter.)
Typescript copy of ms.
Chancellor of Manchester, 12 April 1952, giving his reasons
Attached
for not attending Cathedral Centenary Service.
is an extract from The Owens College:
its Foundation and
Growth.
letter from Blackett to Vice-
1952
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
Requests for historical/biographical information.
exception of the last item, all of Blackett's replies are very
brief.
With the
1970-72
with R.L. Weber re Jocular Physics.
with R.S. Shankland re his introduction to the collected
papers of A.H. Compton.
with W. Archibald re Allen House.
with editors of Sunday Times re profile of Lord Snow
and re World War II bombing offensive.
with N. Cameron re the involvement of British
scientists in World War II.
from J.G. Crowther re his book on the Cavendish
Laboratory.
with M.M. Gowing re her book Independence and
Deterrence.
See also J.97.
A.36-A.39
Miscellaneous shorter personal correspondence presented in date
order.
A. 36
1955, 1960-61
with M. J. Williams re operational research.
with B.H. Muller re his proposed biography of
Leo Szilard.
with W. Sullivan re the theory of continental drift.
Blackett sent 2 pp. of typescript notes on the
development of his scientific interests.
G.100, G.101).
Correspondence with American Embassy, London, re obtaining
visas for visits to the US 1960 and 1961. Blackett’s 1960 visit
was under the auspices of the Ford Foundation; the 1961 visit
was to attend M.1.T.'s Centenary Celebrations (see also
Letter from Trans-Canadian Air Lines re circumstances of
Blackett's arrest in Tampa, Florida, when his flight from
Mexico was obliged to stop for refuelling.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
1964-68
Includes correspondence re annual gathering of Nobel Prize
Winners in Lindau, notification of Blackett's election as
ex officio Member of the General Committee of the
Athenaeum under Rule XX (with congratulatory poem from
C.W. Wardlaw), letter and card from I|.A. Richards, and
letter of thanks from Lord Fleck following Blackett's 70th
birthday celebrations.
1971-72
Includes congratulatory messages on Blackett's 75th birthday,
Hon. Membership of Fabian Society.
1973-74
Includes Blackett's correspondence with his secretary at
Imperial College re departmental celebrations of election
of H.
Elliot to the Royal Society.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
A.40-A. 44
Correspondence and papers re honours received by Blackett.
Presented in date order.
See A.45-A.83 for letters of congratulation and A.85-A. 104
for diplomas, certificates and scrolls.
1942-60
1.
Letter from 10 Downing Street requesting permission
Blackett declined the honour.
to confer C.B.E.
Includes photocopy of Blackett's ms. reply and of
typescript copy of letter from Prime Minister's
office.
Honorary Membership, Chinese Physical Society.
Correspondence with Chinese Embassy, 1945.
Hon. Sc.D. Cambridge. | Copy of speeches by the
Orator.
Letter from Secretary
Hon. LL.D. Dalhousie University, Halifax.
Programme (Blackett delivered the address to the
Honorary Membership of South African Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy.
notifying election.
Convocation).
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
1961-65
1...
Foreign Honorary Membership, American Academy
of Arts and Sciences. Correspondence with secretary.
Hon. D.Sc. Manchester.
Orator.
Speech by the Public
Hon. D.Sc. Durham.
Orator.
Speeches by the Public
Hon. D.Sc. Oxford.
Letter from Registrar.
Bimala Churn Law Gold Medal, Indian Association
for the Cultivation of Science.
Director.
Correspondence with
Foreign Membership, Accademia Nazionale dei
Lincei, Rome.
Hon. D.Sc. Bristol.
A.R. Collar.
Speech by the Public Orator,
Hon. D.Sc. York.
Correspondence with the Vice-
Hon. D.Sc. Hull.
Chancellor.
Correspondence with Vice-
Hon. D.Sc. London. Correspondence with Vice-
Chancellor.
Foreign Member, Soviet Academy of Sciences. Later
correspondence and invitations to Blackett to visit
USSR as guest of Academy (1969-70).
Chancellor (1965).
Honorary Fellow, Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Correspondence with secretary (N. Feather).
Honorary Member, Institute of Metals.
secretary notifying election.
Letter from
Foreign-Associate, National Academy of
Sciences, Washington D.C.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal .
1967-68
tT;
Honorary Member, Institution of Civil Engineers.
Clipping from Bulletin.
Honorary Member, International Academy of Astro-
nautics, Paris.
Honorary Fellow, Washington Academy of Sciences.
Order of Merit.
Letter from Buckingham Palace.
Honorary Fellow, National Institute of Sciences of
India.
Hon. D.Sc. University of Chicago. Correspondence
with the President.
1969-71
Order of the Eagle of Aztec, Mexico.
Fellow of Birkbeck College, London.
1.
Rabindranath Tagore Birth Centenary Plaque,
Asiatic Society.
Hon. D.Sc. Cranfield Institute of Technology.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
A.45-A.83
Section A - Biographical and personal
Letters, cables and telegrams of congratulation received by
Blackett on the award of the Nobel Prize (1948), Copley
Medal (1956), Companionship of Honour (1965), Order of
Merit (1967), his election as President of the Royal Society
(1965) and his elevation to the peerage (1969).
Many of the letters are of interest for their biographical
or historical reminiscences, discussions of scientific work,
references to political activities or to social causes.
The letters on the Nobel Prize were kept by Blackett in an
alphabetically indexed box file.
to folders but retain Blackett's original ordering.
These have been removed
The letters on the Companionship of Honour, the Presidency
of the Royal Society and the Order of Merit were kept in
three large bulky files.
| Each file has been split into nine
smaller, alphabetically-arranged folders for ease of refer-
ence.
bodies are generally filed under the name of the organisation.
Letters of congratulation on behalf of corporate
Most of the correspondence
‘If Blackett sent a typescript acknowledgement, the carbon
is attached to the letter.
generated by the award of the Nobel Prize was answered
in this manner, but letters re the later awards were answered
by hand.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
A.45-A.54
Nobel Prize
Many of these letters refer to and comment on Blackett's
newly-published book 'Military and political consequences
of atomic energy’.
See also H.29 - H.41.
A.45
A.46
A.47
A.48
A.49
A.50
A.51
A.52
A.55
A.53
A.54
A.56
oe
my
A.57
A.58
Ae
A.56-A.64
= Companion of Honour
Copley Medal of The Royal Society (one folder only).
Congratulatory messages arranged alphabetically.
name signatures
Unidentified correspondents and first
L
O
R
A.59
A.60
A.62
A.63
oe
A.61
A.64
oo
he
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
A.65-A.73
President of the Royal Society
Congratulatory messages arranged alphabetically.
A.65
A.66
A.67
A.68
A.69
A.70
A.7]
A.72
A.73
Ae
wie
sf
ee
want)
oe
oA
ee
Unidentified correspondents and first
name signatures.
A.74-A.82
Order of Merit
Congratulatory messages arranged alphabetically.
oe
|
is
oes
.
a
A.77
A.78
A.79
O
R
A.80
A.8]
A.75
A.74
A.76
Aa
name signatures
Unidentified correspondents and first
A.82
:
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A -
Biographical and personal
A.83-A.84
Life Peerage
Blackett's Life Peerage was announced in the New Year's Honours
List, 1969.
November 1968 (J.110) in which Blackett accepts the recom-
mendation for a Life Peerage.
See the correspondence with Harold Wilson,
Letters of congratulation.
Correspondence and papers re arrangements for Blackett's
introduction to the House of Lords, 19 February 1969.
Blackett was sponsored by Lord Chalfont and Lord Snow.
See H.146-H.149 for papers relating to Blackett's Maiden
Speech in the Lords, 4 March 1970.
Scrolls, certificates and diplomas
Lady Blackett retains some of Blackett's personal medals and
certificates.
commemorative medals to the Museum of the History of Science,
Oxford, in June 1975.
She gave his collection of scientific
Not in folders.
Hon. D.Sc. University of Delhi.
Hon. D.Sc. Queen's University of Belfast.
Certificate of Honorary Membership, Chinese Physical
Society.
Honorary Associate, Royal College of Science, Imperial
College.
Hon. D.Sc. University of Oxford.
Foreign Honorary Member, American Academy of Arts
and Sciences (2 certificates).
Hon. D.Sc. University of Manchester.
Hon. D.Sc. University of Leeds.
Hon. D.Sc. University of Durham.
Honorary Fellowship, Weizmann Institute of Science.
Hon. LL.D. University of Dalhousie.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
List of Members of the Order of the Companion of Honour.
Hon. D.Sc. University of York.
Foreign Associate, National Academy of Sciences,
Washington D.C.
Honorary Fellowship, Washington Academy of Sciences.
Order of Merit:
of the Order of Merit, List of Members.
Statutes, Grant of the Dignity of a Member
Honorary Membership of Academia Brasileira de Ciécias.
Writ
of Summons to House of Lords.
Hon. D.Sc. University of Chicago.
Speech at presentation for the degree.
Diploma, Photograph,
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section A - Biographical and personal
A.105-A. 106
Photographs and press-cuttings.
A.105
One box of personal photographs.
graphs are dated and identified on verso.
Includes:
Some of the loose photo-
Osborne (1911) and Dartmouth
Magdalene College, Cambridge (1919)
Cambridge University Natural Sciences Club (1921)
Cavendish Laboratory (1922)
Rome conference (1931)
with Occhialini (1933)
Manchester University (several photographs 1946-53)
UNESCO Cosmic Ray conference, Crackow (1947)
Photograph of portrait sketch by Homi Bhahba (1953)
Conference at Bagnéres-de-Bigorre (1953)
Lindau meeting of Nobel Prize winners (1956)
British Association meeting, Dublin (1957)
Ghana (1959)
Leeds (1962)
Commemoration meeting for Niels Bohr, Copenhagen (1963)
Imperial College, Physics Department (1964)
Royal Society (1965)
Exeter (1966)
Royal Society visit to US Academy of Sciences (1966)
Royal Society Delegation to Indian Science Academy (1971).
also album below.
See
Academy, Lucknow (1971)
Sudbury-on-Thames (1966)
One box of press-cuttings relating to Blackett and his activities,
Album of photographs of Blackett's visit to BP Research Centre,
Misc. studio portrait photographs of various dates —
Album of photographs of visit to Irdia, December 1954-January 1955
Album of photographs of Royal Society Delegation to Indian Science
or to topics which were of interest to him.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
SECTION B=
PARTICLE DISINTEGRATION, COSMIC RAYS, ASTROPHYSICS
B.1 - B.145
The material in this Section documents the first steps in Blackett's scientific
career - his work at the Cavendish Laboratory under Rutherford, his year in
G&ttingen with Franck,
his move to Birkbeck College, London, in 1933 to head
his own department, and then to Manchester to occupy the Langworthy Chair of
Physics. | He photographed the disintegration of the hydrogen nucleus (1924),
collaborated with Occhialini to provide evidence for the existence of the positive
electron (1933) and supported the research of Rochester and Butler which led to
the discovery of the V-particles (1947).
Not all of the evidence has survived -
whether in the form of laboratory notebooks, working papers or correspondence -
but those documents which remain testify to Blackett's energy, persistence and deft
experimental technique.
Section A should be consulted for several items of interest pertaining to
Blackett's work on particle disintegration and cosmic rays - see especially his
application to the Royal Society for a Moseley Fellowship (A.12), press-cuttings
relating to the electro-magnet built by Metropolitan-Vickers for Blackett and
installed in the Magnet Hut at Birkbeck (A.15), letters of congratulation on the
award of the Nobel Prize, many of which recall Blackett's work which led to the
award, and of course the obituary notices and tributes published after his death.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
The material is presented as follows:
Bik
er.
Bees
Laboratory notebooks on particle disintegration,
1920-32
With an introductory note
Working notes and papers on particle disintegration
and cosmic rays, 1923-56
With an introductory note
Photographs of particle disintegration and cosmic rays
Working notes on theories of the origin of cosmic
rays, 1949-55
Working notes on astrophysics, 1953-59
Lectures, broadcasts, publications, 1932-60
With an introductory note
Correspondence, 1923-74
With an introductory note
rigidly defined and are intended to provide only a rough guide to contents.
Because Blackett's research evolved from one topic to another, interest in
Even if
it were possible to distinguish areas of interest more strictly, Blackett's
record-keeping would make inevitable some degree of overlap, since he often
each being aroused and developed by previous work, the above categories are not
presence of ‘anomalous' material of this kind is indicated in the entries below.
torn from laboratory notebooks and kept with the working papers, photographs
intermingled various types of document to suit his purposes, e.g. pages were
and noteE for lectures were inserted in notebooks, etc.
Wherever possible, the
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.1-B.21
LABORATORY NOTEBOOKS 1920-32
The notebooks are presented in chronological order as far as possible.
They are all
in Blackett's hand, unless otherwise indicated;
other hands are
identified where known.
The notebooks provide a record of Blackett's first research at the Cavendish
Laboratory under Rutherford (B.2 - B.4), his year at G&ttingen with Franck
(B.10 ~ B.12) and his collaborative work with research students E.P. Hudson (B.13),
F.C. Champion (B.17 - B.18) and D.S. Lees (B.15, B.19 - B.20) in Cambridge.
Several incomplete sequences (B.5 - B.6, B.17 - B.18) indicate that
some notebooks have not survived.
Sometimes pages have been torn from the
notebooks and kept with the working notes.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Small notebook labelled on cover ‘Royal Naval College,
Dartmouth.
Blackett’.
Blackett' and inside front cover 'Hawke Term.
The first pages in the notebook (which presumably were work
done at Dartmouth) have been cut from the book so that the
first entry now reads: 'Aston.
apparatus", May 1920', 17 pp. of notes and drawings on
methods and materials.
"The Technique of vacuum
Second entry is
2 pp. of notes titled 'Experimental Hints’.
In the middle of the book are 3 pp. of notes titled ‘Possible
Experiments’.
(Blackett has listed 11.)
nid:
n.d.
At the end of the book, 2 pp. of miscellaneous calculations.
n.d.
Blue notebook labelled on cover 'A' and on inside front
cover 'Book A.
If found please return to above address’.
P.M.S. Blackett. Magdalene College.
1921-22
2 pp. of drawings titled 'Dimensions of Expansion Chamber’.
B.3 isa catalogue of photographs while B.2
This
Several pages of undated notes:
'Coil for Kapitza' (p.116),
‘Enlarging on to Imperial Process Plates' (p.117), 'Magneto-
meter’
(p.120).
Then follow a few entries for July 1921 and a long sequence
(pp. 1-115) of notes from 11 October 1921 to 2 June 1922.
(and the following notebook, B.3) is a record of Blackett's
first research at the Cavendish Laboratory (see Lovell, Memoir,
pp.6-7).
contains journal-like entries describing laboratory techniques,
modifications to apparatus (see Lovell, Memoir, p.6), quality
of photographs, numerical data and measurements, calculations,
hypotheses, sketches of apparatus.
Physics Undergraduate Society on the subject of bird migration.
Next sequence of dated entries begins on 3 October 1922 to
(approximately) 2 November: record of photographs, measure-
ments of angles, calculations, modifications of apparatus, notes
on the literature, bibliography.
The notebook also contains 2 pp. of notes on bird migration.
The first lecture which Blackett ever gave was to the University
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
~ Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Green notebook labelled on cover 'B' and on first page ‘Book B.
Catalogue of X-ray photographs November 192}... "PMS.
Blackett, Magdalene College.
address.
If found Please return to above
1921-22
The first few pages of the notebook (pages are not numbered)
This is followed by a
contain record of 28 photographs.
‘Catalogue of interesting tracks, etc.' (6 pp.) and ‘notes
on general appearance of films’ (4 pp.).
This is a catalogue of Blackett's
See
The notebook then contains a 139 pp. series of detailed
analyses of photographs.
first research work at the Cavendish under Rutherford.
Lovell, Memoir, pp.6-7, which describes Blackett's modifications
The record of
to the apparatus and two series of experiments.
experiments with a mixture of 75% argon + 15% nitrogen ends
On pp.9-10 there are calculations in another hand,
on p.75.
probably Rutherford's.
shine
Fo. t-
—_—_—_———.
Book A’.
Blue notebook labelled on first page 'P.M.S. Blackett.
Magdalene Coilege.
Event by event analysis of tracks recorded in B.2 and B.3,
analysis of results and of graphs.
Notes of tracks with recoil atoms, of air tracks, reduction of
helium tracks in ‘Book B' (B.3), test angles, range and velocity
of hydrogen atoms, argon tracks, curled helium tracks.
One entry is dated 16 January 1923 ‘measurement of argon
tracks’.
crossed out and replaced by ‘quite all right’.
‘All wrong’ has been
a note in another hand (probably Rutherford's)
On p.74 there is
commenting on Blackett's calculations of comparative
curvature of hydrogen, helium and air.
3
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Small pocket notebook labelled on cover 'B' and on first
page 'P.M.S. Blackett.
found'.
1923;)
Please return if
(Blackett was elected to a Fellowship at King's in
King's College.
1923-24
Entries begin with 29 October (1923) and continue to 11 July
(1924).
lations.
apparatus which were crossed out as they were corrected.
Record of photographs, with relevant data and calcu-
There are several lists of 'defects' or 'faults' in the
From other end of book entries begin with 2 November 1923 and
continue to 21 May 1924.
of technique, measurements, list of 'conclusions' and ‘suggestions’.
All are concerned with work using cloud chamber to photograph
disintegration of the nucleus.
Notes on procedure, modifications
Small pocket notebook labelled on cover 'C' and on first
page 'P.M.S. Blackett.
found’.
King's College.
Please return if
electron
2 pp. of notes for possible papers.
N.B.
B.4 is not the 'Book A' of this sequence.
Small black pocket notebook labelled on first page 'P.M.S.
Blackett.
Please return if found’.
King's College.
Contains annotated bibliography, arranged by subject:
impact, disintegration, isotopes,
rays, spectroscope detection of nitrogen, neon, boiling points,
electrochemical equivalents, emanating power, radio thorium,
among others.
instruments, gases, alpha
Followed by notes on experimental data, May-October (1924) in
conjunction with notes in B.5.
from notebooks’.
Next set of entries begins on 9 January 1930 and continues to
24 January 1932.
B.18).
Entries begin on | August 1924 and continue to 29 October.
Record of film, description of adjustments to apparatus
results,
One page of notes dated June 1927, January 1929 and February
1929.
At end of book there is a page of 'Notes on apparatus collected
Some notes in
F. Champion's hand (see also
1924, 1927,
1929, 1930-32
list of ‘defects’.
and of
P.S.M. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Notebook labelled on
College.
If found please return’.
first page 'P.M.S. Blackett.
King's
1924, 1926
Numerous photographs of particle disintegration tracks are
pasted in the notebook, with a record of measurements.
a few of the entries (9 July, 23 August, 2 November 1924)
are dated.
Only
At the end of the book there is an entry for 9 June 1926.
Inserted at the back of the book were several sets of loose
notes which have been removed and listed separately as B.9.
Loose notes found in back of B.8:
I
‘Calculation of angles in space from measurements
of track photographs.
9 pp. written on verso of petrol claim forms in another
hand.
Lees’ method’.
Theory.
‘Measurement of X-track photographs and Calculations
of the angles of a fork.
4 pp. in another hand.
Blackett's method’.
‘Geometrical Theory'
m.s. draft, 10 pp. in
Blackett's hand.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.10-B.12
Work at Gdttingen, 1924-25
Blackett spent the academic year 1924-25 working in G&ttingen with
James Franck.
spectra of hydrogen by electron impact (R.S.5.).
notebooks document that period.
This work led to a joint paper on the excitation of the
The following three
B.10
Small black notebook.
cover.
G8ttingen stationer's stamp on inside back
Notebook contains long bibliography of articles and extensive
notes on the literature, cross-referenced to the bibliography.
The notebook is indexed on the inside front and back covers.
1924-25
From the other end of the book there are notes on photographs,
calculations, and other laboratory work, plus an account of
expenses, December 1924-January 1925.
Small black notebook.
and calculations, variously titled 'Macleod', 'glass fibres',
'‘Platinum', 'Gravitational control and elastic control’,
'Theory', etc.
The first 15 pp. contain misc. notes
1925
The last entry is a note on
This series is contained in B.12.
G&ttingen stationer's stamp on inside
On the first page there is a list of 'screens'.
on 1 July and continue to 3 August.
The entries begin
Small black notebook.
cover.
From the other end of the book there are several pages of notes
on measurements of photographs of 'He, Hg, Hyd.'.
These are followed by a series of records beginning on 22 January
(1925) and continuing to 27 June.
'G.21'.
of work begun in B.11 on the hydrogen molecule.
The entry for 1 July contains notes on 'G.22.
'G.23.
which indicate that this notebook is
Test of focus', 'G.24.
Test of intensity’, etc.,
a continuation of the record
Test of screens',
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Red notebook labelled on cover 'Phos.'
photographs of X-particles, probably for work in collaboration
with E.P. Hudson on ‘The elasticity of the collision of
Contains numerous
1926-27
- particles with hydrogen nucleii' (R.S.7.).
A 2 pp. ms. letter from Blackett to Hudson, 13 April 1926,
is loosely inserted at the back of the book.
The notebook also contains 2 loose pp. of notes on 'New
linear radiation formula', and 3 sets of photographs of cosmic
radiation.
On the verso of one set is a Leningrad address,
indicating that perhaps Blackett was given these photographs
by a colleague.
Black notebook inscribed on first page 'P.M.S. Blackett.
Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge.
1925'.
(The date is added in pencil.)
Please return if found.
1925-26,
1927
Entries begin on 22 October (1925) and continue to 27 August
(1926), with one additional entry for 17 January (?1927).
Record of experiments with automatic cloud chamber and
list of photographs with measure-
mechanical oscillograph:
ments and descriptions of results, sketches of apparatus and
modifications.
Some notes on the literature. | Many calculations.
Not all of the entries are in Blackett's hand.
Small brown notebook labelled on cover 'P.M.S. Blackett.
Book C'.
Various notes titled ‘Illumination data', ‘Vibration of
Piston', ‘Degree of approximation', ‘Period of Vibration of
Piston', ‘Possible remedies' (all recorded in October).
are concerned with the design and use of double camera.
Entries begin in December 1926 and continue to August 1927,
with one note for 'November 1927.
Contains sketches of apparatus, calculations, notes on
modifications to apparatus, notes on
lens, methods. Many
1926-27
D.S.L.' (D.S. Lees).
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Section B
Small blue pocket notebook labelled on first page
scattering by wire.
July 1927'.
‘Electron
1927
Contains sketches of apparatus, numerous calculations and
measurements, notes of points to investigate.
From other end of book, 'P.M.S. Blackett.
have been cut from book.
April 1918'.
Pages
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Section B
B.17-B.18
| Work with F.C. Champion
Notebooks related to Blackett's work with F.C. Champion on the
collision of slow “-particles with helium which resulted in the publication
of a joint paper (R.S.15.).
Book B of this sequence is missing.
.N.B.
B.17
The
Large ledger labelled on cover 'P.M.S. Blackett.
Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, A', with list of rolls
of film.
Entries begin in January 1929.
of collision of &-particle tracks with helium.
Careful, event by event analysis
Numerous closely-written pages of measurements, calculations,
summaries of results.
Pp. 55-59, 'Collision of H particles with gas atoms'.
Ledger labelled on cover 'F. Clive Champion. Cavendish
-Helium Collisions, 1930', and 'Book C'
Laboratory.
(in Blackett's hand).
Inside the front cover are Blackett's
notes on angles and arrangement of film.
1930
2 unidentified hands (although
Careful, detailed analyses, event by event, of X-Helium
collisions (photograph record, measurements, calculations).
Most of the notes are in
presumably one is Champion's) with misc. shorter notes by
Blackett throughout.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.19-B.20
Work with D.S. Lees
Notebooks related to Blackett's work with D.S. Lees on range-
velocity relationships for hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and argon atoms.
(R.S.16.)
B.19
Large ledger labelled on the cover 'Collected Tables of
Results.
Hydrogen’.
Oxygen.
Argon.
1929 21931
Contains log of results (event by event) of scatterings of
AX-particles in cloud chamber gases.
re-examined or of special interest’, ‘of photos cut out by
Lees’.
List of 'photos to be
Entries and calculations in both Blackett's and Lees's hand.
All of the entries that are dated are for April 1929, with the
exception of the last which is a brief note ‘July 15, 1931.
All Argon Films looked thro: for A coil’.
A.
130 pp.
1930-31
Entries in Blackett's and Lees's
None of the entries are dated but there is a note by Blackett
on the first page dated June 1931.
Large ledger labelled on the cover ‘Nitrogen’, containing
comments on photographs taken in cloud chamber and a log
of scanning and measuring.
hands, and another unidentified script.
Lists of alterations to apparatus.
Record of laboratory techniques for work on lighting, photo-
graphy, expansion condition, Wilson Cloud Chamber, drop
sizes.
Entries begin on 9 February 1932 and continue to 22 June
(1932);
dated 11 and 12 July.
the entries for 11 and 12 June are erroneously
Small red pocket notebook labelled on first page 'P.M.S.
Blackett.
Please return if found'.
The Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.22B.61
WORKING NOTES ON PARTICLE DISINTEGRATION AND
COSMIC RAYS 1923-56
Blackett's folders of working notes and papers are of a very miscellaneous
composition.
An attempt has been made in the list below to present them in chrono-
logical order, but since many of the folders contain a wide range of material of
differing dates, this ordering is of necessity somewhat artificial and incomplete.
Some originally very bulky folders have been split into several smaller
folders for ease of reference, e.g. B.22 - B.25, B.35 - B.37;
in some cases, manu-
scripts and drafts for lectures have been removed and listed sepaarately (see the
introductory note to B.84 - B.131).
Some of the papers refer to measurements and observations recorded in
laboratory notebooks.
It has not been practicable to cross-reference such cases
to the notebooks listed above (B.1 - B.21), since many of Blackett's notes refer
to books which are missing from the sequence.
are on specially devised forms for the recording of data.
Al! notes are manuscript,
known.
and in Blackett's hand unless otherwise indicated;
other hands are identified where
All correspondence found with these working notes has been left in the
Some of the notes are written on the verso of examination scripts, others
folders, itemised and indexed (see the introductory note to B.132 - B.147).
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.22-B.25
One folder labelled on cover ‘Curved Tracks.
Results’.
The contents have been extracted and listed separately
below.
The original folder is kept with B.22.
1923-30
‘The Curvature of the Tracks'.
page is annotated by Blackett 'Fellowship Thesis.
This is presumably Section 8 of that thesis.
Ord were elected to Fellowships at King's in 1923.
10 pp. typescript.
First
1923
King's, 1923'.
Blackett and Boris
25 pp. ms. draft of paper (untitled) on curvature of forked
tracks produced by collision of alpha particles with free
protons.
Probably draft of R.S.3.
‘Curved Proton Tracks. Copenhagen, September 1930'.
4 pp. ms. notes for talk in Copenhagen.
letter to Bohr,18 September 1930,re this visit (B. 133).
See Blackett's
Misc. pages of notes, diagrams, graphs.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.26-B.30
Work with D.S. Lees
Working notes relating to Blackett's work with D.S. Lees on range and
velocity of recoil atoms (R.S.16) and on particle disintegration.
B.26
.
Folder labelled on cover ‘Fast Hydrogen and Test Tracks’.
1930-31
Numerous tabular summaries of data, with accompanying
graphs and calculations, titled 'Hydrogen, Unequal Errors’,
'Fast Hydrogen Collision’, ‘Error
'Hydrogen Equal Errors',
Distribution of measured masses, alpha-particle-hydrogen',
'O & N collisions’.
Some of the results are entered on specially prepared forms,
others are written on the verso of examination scripts.
Not all are in Blackett's hand.
‘Check! or 'remeasure’.
Many bear the notation
Folder labelled on front 'Trigonometrical Calculations on
Forked Tracks’.
1930-31
The only entries that
1930-31
Numerous sheets of calculations and recordings of data (many
are on the specially prepared forms as in B.26).
Some notes on the literature.
Air', ‘Argon recoil atoms’, etc.
Folder labelled 'DLisintegration) Tracks. Measurements’.
Graphs.
Notes titled 'Range of argon atoms’, ‘Range and Velocity
Nitrogen]
Oxygen
Much of the data is taken from the measurements and recordings
entered in the laboratory notebooks.
are dated are for 1930 and 1931 but many of the papers may date
from a much earlier period of research.
B.26 and B.27.
Numerous sets of calculations and recordings of data.
only ones which are dated are those which are on the specially
prepared forms;
these are for 1930 and 1931 as are those in
The
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Folder labelled 'Paper |.
Notes on Mass Defects'.
and address (King's College, Cambridge.
in Blackett's hand but at a later date, ‘Important.
Disintegration’.
Photography of Disintegration.
Cover is also labelled with name
Cavendish) and,
Numerous graphs and charts.
Notes titled 'Formation of O17', ‘Energy change at collision',
‘Energy change in terms of measured quantities, 'Note on
mass defects', 'Transmutation Tracks’.
written on the verso of H. Elliot's examination scripts.
Some of the notes are
Includes 3 pp. typescript (pp.14-16 of a longer paper) 'The
possibility that oxygen disintegrates’ with letter from George
Gamow (10 June 1931, Copenhagen) commenting on the
draft and disagreeing with Blackett's conclusions.
bears Gamow's: annotations.
The draft
Folder labelled ‘Curvature of Tracks.
Calculations’.
1930-32
Folder of very miscellaneous composition, including graphs,
tabular summaries of data, list of films, tables of ‘collected
results’, notes on the literature, sketches of apparatus.
Many of the pages have been cut from laboratory notebooks;
Notes titled 'Rough Analysis of H curvature’, 'Curled
Tracks', ‘Register of tracks for which angles over 70° occur',
‘Curvature experiment’.
other loose sheets refer to findings recorded in the notebooks.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Folder labelled ‘Scattering of Light by Drops.
Webb’.
2 graphs by Blackett and identical 2 graphs in unidentified
hand (?Webb).
One graph shows ‘Photographic intensity
of drops in a cloud chamber at different angles with the
direction of the illuminating beam'.
Folder labelled 'Condensation theory’.
1932-34
2 pp. outline of series of 11 lectures on the technique of the
cloud chamber.
Draft of first lecture 'Theory of drop formation' (6 pp.) with
supplementary notes.
Some of the other notes in this folder
may also be drafts for lectures in the same series but this is
not certain.
Includes working papers, notes and calculations:
of rate of evaporation from flat surface', ‘Size of drops in
alpha ray tracks', ‘Variation of pressure with height' (10 pp.)
‘Estimate
Notes on the literature.
Graphs and charts.
Calculations.
Folder labelled 'Breadth of Tracks’.
1933-34
Includes letter from P.1. Dee (15 April 1934) commenting on
draft of a paper by Blackett, and letter from S$. Goldstein
Notes titled 'Distribution of track breadth', ‘Observed breadth
of tracks and time of expansion', ‘Distribution of track breadths
in time', 'Diffusion of ions’.
(10 December 1933) re calculations on diffusion problems.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Folder labelled 'Zenith Angle Distribution and Air
Absorption Curve’.
1934-35
Numerous graphs and notes, many documenting results ob-
tained from experiment using geiger counter equipment
erected by D.H. Follett and J.D. Crawshaw in vacant part
of Holborn tube station tunnel, London.
Notes on the literature and on results of experiments conducted
by other research teams, including table of 'Vertical distribu-
tion of Cosmic Radiation at Jungfraujoch’.
Includes letter from Follett (17 February 1935) describing
results to date and one page undated note from Follett re
readings.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.35-B.39
= Work on 'Time Variations’
1940, 1946-
48
B.35-B.37
Correspondence, notes and drafts kept by Blackett in
folder labelled ‘Time Variations.
have been split into 3 smaller folders:
Duperier'.
Contents
Ms. notes and drafts:
‘Temperature effect of mesons and decay electrons' (4 pp.),
‘Meson decay' (1 p.), ‘Cosmic ray intensity and the July
1946 magnetic storm' (2 pp. typescript for talk), ‘Florence
1234. 48.
{1 9,).
Letter from E.V. Appleton (20 February 1940) on ‘alter-
native explanation of the correlation of cosmic ray
diminution and magnetic storm’.
1940, 1946-
47
Letter from M.V. Wilkes (18 November 1946), re work of
Mailvaganam and of Pekeris.
Correspondence with P. Nicholson and V. Sarabhai, April-
August 1947, re the draft of their joint paper 'Semi-
diurnal variation of C.R. intensity’, with Blackett's notes
on the draft.
Includes summary of results obtained by
1946-49
Folder labelled 'Time Variations’ containing copies of
papers by research workers:
1952-54
Correspondence exchanged with A. Duperier, February 1946
to October 1949.
Duperier, of observations made at Birkbeck, 4 pp. typescript
of 'The Height of Meson Formation’ and 4 pp. typescript of
'The Latitude Effect and the Pressure-Level of Meson Forma-
tion' and several offprints of papers by Duperier.
continued
'A World-wide variation in the phase of the solar daily
variation in cosmic ray intensity', 4 pp. typescript, annotated
by Blackett and bearing his name and that of Elliot.
‘Time Variations of Extensive Air Showers', 7 pp. type-
script, probably by H. Elliot, with ms. annotations by
Blackett.
1.
‘Calculation of Counting Rates and Shower Energies',
4 pp. typescript, J.K. Crawshaw, with ms. annotations
by Blackett.
‘Cosmic rays and the magnetic field of the sun', 5 pp.
typescript by D.W.N. Dolbear and H. Elliot.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
(continued)
5.
6.
‘Experimental Arrangement', 1
H. Elliot's hand.
p. ms. note, 2 graphs in
‘Time Variations', 3 pp. typescript with 5 pp. graphs,
probably by H. Elliot
c. 1954.
N.B.
listed separately.
See B.39.
Correspondence in this folder has been extracted and
Blackett's lecture 'Time Variations of Cosmic Rays' delivered
in Milan, January 1953, has been extracted and listed
separately.
See B.113.
Correspondence from H. Elliot, November 1952-February
1953, commenting on work by Ehmert, Clay, Dolbear and
re his own work.
1952-53
Correspondence with V. Sarabhai, April-May 1953, requesting
Blackett's and Elliot's comments on his manuscript.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Folder labelled ‘Penetrating Showers’.
1947-49
2 pp. ms. note labelled 'Cosmic Rays.
problems.
Oxford, March 1947'.
Important contemporary
'On the relative numbers of positive and negative ““ mesons
at sea-level', 4 pp. typescript, possibly by J.G. Wilson |
c.1947.
Working notes, calculations and notes on the literature.
Blackett's lecture on 'Cloud Chamber Studies of
N.B.
Penetrating Showers' delivered in Como, September 1949, has been
extracted and listed separately.
See B.104.
R.S.63.
Folder labelled 'APPs' (Associated Penetrating Particles).
1950-53
‘Notes on Differential Range Measurements of Hard Component
of Cosmic Rays in Water', typescript and graphs by A.J. Dyer.
Misc. notes by Blackett and related offprints.
'A Cloud Chamber Study of Associated Penetrating Particles
at Sea-Level', typescript of paper by V. Appapillai, A.W.
Mailvaganam and A.W. Wolfendale.
Correspondence from H.J.J. Braddick (26 November 1952)
enclosing note by A.W. Wolfendale on ‘Effect of Knock-on
Electrons on APP Results’ and later letter (14 March 1953)
commenting on 'Colombo draft'. See also B.49, B.109.
See B. 109.
N.B.
Draft of Blackett's lecture ‘Fundamental Particles
of Nature' delivered in Colombo has been extracted and
listed separately.
Correspondence from A.W. Wolfendale (June-December 1953)
enclosing copies of his letters to V. Appapillai.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.42-B.55
Work on V-particles
In 1946-47 G.D. Rochester and C.C. Butler, working with Blackett
in Manchester, obtained the first photographs of V-particles.
Their results
were published in Nature, 160, 855.
In 1949 the cloud chamber and
magnet which Rochester and Butler had used to obtain their photographs
was moved from Manchester to the Observatory on the Pic du Midi in the
hope of photographing new tracks (see letters to Carl Anderson, 5 December
1949 and 26 April 1950, in B. 48).
B.42-B.46 contain the initial correspondence:
between Butler and Rusch re
between Blackett
and J. R&sch of the Observatory (with the intermediary help
of G. Occhialini) re the possibility, practicalities and
funding of such a transfer;
details of installation;
collaboration between French and British scientists;
pondence re results obtained, with special reference to the
possibility that one of the disintegration products of V-particles
is a proton (see letter from R.E. Peierls, 26 April 1951 in
B.45), photographs, plan, funding estimates;
and M.F. Perutz re Pic du Midi conference planned for
August 1950.
between Blackett and P. Auger re
with J. Clay
corres-
ey
May-July 1949.
See Lovell, Memoir, pp.35-36.
For lectures by Blackett on the subject, see B.112, B.114.
Photographs and blueprint plan of the Observatory, funding estimates.
August-December 1949 (includes 2 pp. note by Butler on 'The
arrangement of the Manchester University electro-magnet on
the Pic du Midi').
January-October 1950.
January-October 1951.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.47-B.50
Folder labelled 'T-mesons.
stable heavy particles’.
split into 4 smaller folders:
Old calculations.
Reprints of
The contents of this folder have been
Ms. notes by Blackett:
"Range of T-mesons', notes on the literature, notes and graphs
in another hand.
W.G.V. Rosser, L. Leprince-Ringuet.
'Decay Process' (15 December 1950),
Related offprints by S.W. Mitra and
1950
Correspondence and papers, mainly re work of C.D. Anderson's
team at California Institute of Technology.
1949-50
Includes:
Correspondence with C.D. Anderson, November 1949-August
1950, re proposal that E. Cowan should spend some time in
Blackett's laboratory at Manchester (he was unable to do so),
and re verification by Anderson's team of Rochester's and
Butler's hypothesis that forked tracks were 'caused by new
unstable particles';
new particles.
re Pic du Midi project and re naming of the
ba
ep
In his letter of 12 July 1950, Blackett suggests the names
T-Meson'.
6 pp. ms. notes for talk on
An extract from a letter from Anderson to Rochester,
"Paris 28.4.50.
"Two new processes’.
~
_| propose to write to Niels Bohr
(see also
18 January 1950, is attached to correspondence of 23 November
1949,
‘I would like to get our
'V-tracks' and 'V-particles' and adds:
ideas set on this question before the end of August as | will be
talking at the British Association on these particles on the 31st,
and would like by then to have come to some decision as to
what they should be called.
to ask for his approval when | have heard from you'.
Blackett's letter of 19 July 1950 to A.H. Chapman in B.44)3
is also included.
3 pp. ms. notes by Blackett on paper 'Cloud chamber
observations of new unstable particle’ by Anderson's team;
ams. note at head reads 'no published comment till paper
appears’.
A press-cutting from Life magazine, 1950, on the new particle
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
'V-particles', ms. draft of talk at 'Harwell Conference,
Oxford', September 1950, with note 'Revised Colombo
November 1950'
(see also B.41, B.109).
'V-particles', ms. draft of talk by Blackett in Bombay,
December 1950.
of V-particles' sent by India government to Blackett for his
amendments before publication.
annotated by Blackett (see also B.110).
Typescript of ‘Cloud Chamber Photographs
Typescript is heavily
Correspondence with C.C. Butler in Manchester (September-
December 1950) re V-particle decays.
report new photographs of neutral V-decays sent to Blackett
for his talk in Oxford.
V-particle decay events sent to Blackett in India for his talk
there.
The December letter reports new
The September letters
B.50
Letter from J. Blaton (19 October 1947) enclosing a note
by him on ‘Momentum and Energy Conservation’.
B.51-B.54
Folder labelled 'V-particles.
of this folder have been split into smaller folders, as follows:
The contents
Old notes'.
B.51
Includes notes on the literature.
Very detailed full letters
Numerous sets of ms. notes by Blackett, few of them dated or
titled.
‘Decay in flight
of neutral particle’, ‘Spontaneous decay of mass M into two
bodies of equal mass m', ‘Symmetrical decay’.
Correspondence from C.C. Butler, October 1951 and October
1952, writing from America with reports of cloud chamber
experiments by research teams there.
Includes report on
‘Cloud chamber experiments in progress and projected at
Caltech' (21 October 1951) and ‘The Present Position on V°
particles’ (November 1952).
from Butler with news of personnel, equipment, theories, etc.
B.53 continued
Correspondence from K.H. Barker, A. Newth and C.C.
Butler (all writing from Manchester to Blackett in Rome),
December 1952 to January 1953, re future work of Pic du
Midi group.
Includes copy of letter from R.B. Leighton, Caltech, 25 June
1951, to Blackett.
1951-52
1952-53
(See alsoB.95.)
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
(continued)
Butler's letter (13 January 1953) accompanies an abstract of a
report by R.D. Sard at the Rochester Conference, December
1952, a copy of Blackett's letter to Butler (29 December 1952)
commenting on Butler's report of his American visit and offering
proposals for future work, and his note on ‘Consideration of
possibility of using random expansion with the flash controlled
by a counter system'.
of the Pic du Midi group, which originally also accompanied
this letter, have not survived.
Notes by Barker and Butler on the future
'The decay of V-mesons', typescript of paper by C.C. Butler
and K.H. Barker with accompanying graphs.
"Identification of T-mesons in Photographic Emulsion’ (in
unidentified hand).
Misc. drawings, photographs, etc.
Notes on solenoids.
1p.
‘Flux of proton and neutron’.
‘Yield of V° and Chamber Size’.
3 pp.
"Yield of penetrating shower as function of height for cloud
chamber of given size'.
2 pp.
Folder labelled ‘Counter Controlled Cloud Chamber Techniques'
containing sets of ms. notes.
'"New law of nature". All good cloud chambers give A/2 Vs
per day, independent of their size (or to some extent their
height)'.
See B.114.
N.B.
have been extracted and listed separately.
Lectures delivered in Varenna, August-September 1953
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Folder labelled 'Extensive Showers', of a very miscellaneous
composition.
1952-56
Includes:
Blackett's ms. notes on papers presented by others,
perhaps at Cosmic Rays conference, Lincoln College,
Oxford, April 1956.
Numerous graphs and charts (not all in Blackett's hand).
Notes on the literature.
Notes and calculations.
Copies of papers by other workers in the field.
kept by Blackett in B.56.)
(Originally
1951-54
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.58-B.60
Work on Cerenkov Radiation
Folder labelled 'Cerenkov Radiation', containing work for
Blackett's paper 'A possible contribution to the light of the
night sky from the Cerenkov radiation emitted by cosmic rays',
published in 1948.
held in July 1947 under the auspices of the Gassiot Committee.
See Lovell, Memoir, p.37, for a full description of the paper.
The contents of the folder have been split into smaller folders.
This paper was read at a conference
R-9.98.
Ms. notes (8 July 1947) for talk, typescript for published
version, offprint as published.
2 pp. typescript note, perhaps not by Blackett.
Letter from J.T. Randall. 18 December 1945, and note from
J.G. Wilson, 22 July
(?1947).
‘Photometry’
B.60
Numerous sets of ms. notes:
‘Photo-cell Detection of Shower'
‘Visibility of Shower, etc.'
‘Naked eye observation of scintillations’
‘Visible light from single particle in fluorescent material’
‘Least reflectible brightness of steady and extended source’
Notes on the literature.
P.M.5S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Folder labelled 'Harwell Experiment. Cerenkov Radiation’.
Correspondence with J.V. Jelley and W. Galbraith re their
work at Harwell which was eventually published as ‘Light
Pulses from the Night Sky associated with Cosmic Rays'
(Nature, 171, 349, 1953).
was stimulated by Blackett's paper on the Cerenkov radiation
(see B.58-B.60).
Jelley's and Galbraith's work
Includes several preliminary drafts for the paper and offprint,
notes and graphs sent to Blackett for comment, and typescript
of later paper for publication in Nature 'Light Pulses from
the Night Sky’.
Correspondence with officials at Harwell re the experiment,
comments by B.D. Hyams on early draft of paper.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.62-B.67
PHOTOGRAPHS OF PARTICLE DISINTEGRATION AND COSMIC
RAYS
The numerous requests to reproduce Blackett's photographs of particle
disintegration and cosmic rays (B.145 - B.147) amply testify to the truth of
the statement by E.C. Bullard (quoted by Lovell, Memoir, p.9) that these
photographs ‘have adorned almost every text book of nuclear physics for the
past fifty years'.
B.62
Copies of Blackett's photographs of particle disintegration.
These were originally published in his early papers on the
subject and were later used to illustrate numerous textbooks
on nuclear physics.
the captions are of later dates.
All are labelled on verso; most of
c. 1924-32
Photograph album with many pages removed from the binding
and loosely inserted.
particle disintegration with notes by Blackett of their origin
or of their use as illustrations in early papers. Many of the
photographs have become detached from the pages of the album.
Contains numerous photographs of
One envelope of photographs of ‘Slow alpha ray collisions,
1922";
Album of photographs, with many loose photographs, mainly
of cosmic ray tracks in cloud chamber.
Many are described
on verso by Blackett or others.
Envelope of photographs labelled ‘Cosmic ray photographs
taken in a cloud chamber 1933 and 1946'.
Also includes
photograph of equipment used by Blackett and Occhialini,
1933.
of cascade decay (Butler et al)’.
1933-46
Envelope of photographs labelled 'Pic du Midi.
Discovery
1951-59
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.68-B.74
WORKING NOTES ON THEORIES OF THE ORIGIN OF
COSMIC RAYS 1949-1955
For lectures by Blackett on the subject, see B.105-B.108,
B.110, B.112, B.115, B.118, B.121, B.124, B.127-B.129.
Folder labelled 'Origin Theories of Cosmic Rays.
Includes:
Misc. notes on the literature.
‘The possibility of a betatron acceleration mechanism
in the equatorial plane of a variable magnetic star’.
11 pp. ms. draft by C.B. Wheeler with notes by
Blackett.
Lectures by Blackett on the origin of cosmic rays
N.B.
given in Manchester and London, 1949, have been extracted
and listed separately.
See B.105 and B.106.
N.B.
cosmic rays have been extracted and listed separately.
Notes for 2 lectures by Blackett on the origin of
Contents have been left
Folder labelled 'Summaries of papers on theories of origin
of cosmic rays’.
Contains numerous sets of ms. notes and calculations by
Blackett, few of them dated or titled. | Many pages of
notes on the current literature.
in Blackett's original order.
See B.110 and B.112.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Folder labelled 'Origin of Cosmic Rays’.
Includes:
Numerous sets of ms. notes by Blackett; several are
headed 'Varenna', probably notes taken by Blackett
at cosmic ray conference there.
Notes on the literature.
7 pp. typescript by C.B. Wheeler (probably report on
research) with sub-headings ‘The origin of primary cosmic
radiation’, ‘The rate of thermonuclear reactions’,
‘Impulsive fuse-blowing', 'Water stabilised high-power
arcs’.
Outline of lecture by Blackett delivered in Manchester,
N.B.
revised and delivered to Royal Meteorological Society, 1950,
has been extracted and listed separately.
See B.107.
Folder labelled ‘Origin Theories of Cosmic Rays’.
Includes:
Folder labelled 'Origin Theories.
Russian Translation’.
1951-54
Notes on the literature, especially on work by E.
Fermi.
Typescripts of translation of 4 papers published in Russian
scientific journals, 1951-54.
Numerous sets of working notes, including ‘Acceleration
Mechanisms', ‘Acceleration of C.R. by varying magnetic
field', ‘Theory of decay of magnetic field of lines of
force', and 'Conductivity of interstellar space’.
theories of cosmic rays.
Correspondence from Swann re cosmic ray conference to be
held in Guanajuato, Mexico, September 1955.
Bibliography and various publications by W.F.G. Swann,
Bartol Research Foundation, The Franklin Institute.
Folder containing offprints collected by Blackett re origin
One letter from B.F. Kraus (Translator?).
Folder labelled 'Swann.
Origin Theories’.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section B
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
B.75-B.83
WORKING NOTES ON ASTROPHYSICS 1953-1959
B.75-B.77
Folder labelled ‘Freundlich and Red Shift', containing drafts,
correspondence and offprints.
split into 3 smaller folders as follows:
|The contents have been
1953-54
'A new interpretation of the observed displacement of lines
in the spectra of the Sun and Stars', 26 pp. typescript of
paper by E. Finlay-Freundlich.
‘Theoretical remarks about Freundlich's Red Shift formula’,
typescript comments by M. Born on Freundlich's paper
(2 versions:
6 pp. and 12 pp.)
Both papers were submitted to the Proc. Phys. Soc. and
Proc. Roy. Soc. for publication in the summer of 1953.
They were eventually published in the Gétt,Nachrichten.
Blackett's correspondence with Born and Freundlich re
content and publication of their papers, with other colleagues
in the field re the red shift.
Association copies of offprints sent by Freundlich to Blackett.
Copy of obituary notice of E. Finlay-Freundlich, 1965, by
H. von Kluber, and of Blackett's letter of sympathy to Mrs.
"Gravitational Red Shift and Light Deflection’, 5 pp. ms.
by Blackett, with misc. notes.
Includes copy of lengthy letter from Lovell to Born sent to
Blackett for information and copy of 'A note on Freundlich
red-shift and the effect of radiation on Lamb-shift', by
D.S. Kothari and F.C. Auluck.
Finlay-Freundlich.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
- Particle disintegration, Cosmic Rays, Astrophysics
Section B
B.78-B.80
Folder labelled 'Crab Nebula.
Cosmic Rays’.
Synchrotron Radiation.
1956-57
Contents have been split into smaller folders as follows:
Ms. notes by Blackett:
‘Compton effect for k S.
July-August 1947
re equipment and progress of Blackett's experiment to measure
"the horizontal component of the earth's magnetic fields in
mines as a test of the various theories’; includes information
on researches of Bullard and Runcorn.
Jonesy Re
Vi
Jordan, P.
May-June 1947
1947, 1949, 1951
includes a theory on magnetism by Jordan and comments on it
by Runcorn and Papapetrou, and correspondence, February 1951,
in which Blackett explains the existing state of research in
magnetism and his own plans to repeat the ‘crucial’ Swann/
Longacre experiment.
Kopal, ir
Nash, T.
n.d.
June 1947
August 1947
Pauli, W.
June 1948
Lundbak, A.
December 1949
May-June 1947
February 1948
Orton, J.
uti
Livens, G.
H.
'a useful adjunct
McCrea, W.
H.
re 'White Dwarfs' experiment and coelostat as
to Lovell's work on solar noise’.
Blackett.
letter sent to L. Rosenfeld re Blackett's theory;
also 4 pp.
ms. comment 'A Rough Survey and some Remarks on Pauli's
Article’ (by H.Y. Tzu) and some notes and calculations by
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Piodott, Hae
ak.
July 1947
(Blackett's former maths. teacher at Dartmouth.
and Blackett's reply contain biographical reminiscences.)
His letter
Redfield, A.
W.
July 1947
re early work on magnetism.
Runcom, S..
eK.
n.d.
ms. notes on problems in Blackett's theory and ms. note by
Blackett taking account of same, to be incorporated in a paper.
Ryle, M.
November 1948
with comments by H.Y. Tzu,re Blackett's talk (C.8)
Schatzman, E.
September 1947
on White Dwarfs.
Schroedinger, E.
*
June 1947 (Blackett's carbon only)
Weiner, T.
November 1949
Wilson, H.
A.
July 1947 (Blackett's carbon only)
June 1947
C.60-C.64
C.60
Chapman, S.
June 1952
Builder, G.
Witson, Jeo
C.
on Wilson's early experiments.
re Chapman's suggested experiment 'to measure speed and curl
of ocean currents by electrical or magnetic measurements’.
Continuing misc. correspondence and working papers on magnetism,
possible experiments, and theories.
re Alzofan's research papers on ‘unified field theory’.
re possible experiment 'to investigate the space-time properties
of the magnetic field', with extensive letter of comment on the
proposal by W.H. McCrea.
Alzofan, F.
E.
(& others)
MAO, Fe:
Gy
1953
1954
1954-55
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Letter to J.W. Warwick, expressing Blackett's continuing interest
in magnetism of rotating bodies.
1970
Letter to M. Farbstein in which Blackett states 'l have to tell
you that the relationship between magnetic field and
rotation, put forward in Nature (1947) proved to be quite
wrong', and goes on to give a very clear summary and
bibliography of the evidence against the theory.
See also correspondence with W. Sullivan (J.97).
C.65-C.67
Correspondence re delivery and publication of Blackett's
papers on rotating bodies (not indexed).
1947-49
C65
Correspondence with Royal Society re delivery of paper and those
to be invited to meeting, April 1947; Blackett accepted
May 1947 as meeting date, but arranged to have the paper
published in 3 weeks in Nature rather than wait 9 months for
publication in the Society's Proceedings (see his letter to
T.R. Merton, April 1947, and Lovell, Memoir, 39-40).
Correspondence with Nature re publication, May 1947.
Correspondence re circulation of paper, 1947.
1947-48
Photocopies of letters in Nature re Blackett's 1947 paper.
Misc. press-cuttings relating to May 1947 paper.
C.68
C.69
€.79,C.7)
Misc. brief correspondence re publication of Biackett's work or
articles about it in various journals, June 1947.
Correspondence re publication of Blackett's paper in Phil. Mag.
1949,
2 folders, not indexed.
Letters and manuscripts from eccentrics and members of the
general public, arising from Blackett's papers on rotating
bodies.
Requests from scientists and members of the general public for
reprints of Blackett's papers on rotating bodies (not indexed).
1947-51
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.72-C.268 WORK ON ROCK MAGNETISM, CONTINENTAL DRIFT AND
MAGNETIC FIELD REVERSAL
This work, begun at Manchester, was continued at Imperial College, London,
where it became Blackett's chief research interest.
the later work at Manchester (see C.39 - C.40 above) and its continuation at Imperial
College, where some of Blackett's research students and collaborators followed him
(see especially the letter from J.A. Clegg, December 1952, in C.221).
There is some overlap between
Blackett made contributions to the study of continental drift and of magnetic
field reversal, through his own researches, lectures and publications, through his
initiation and encouragement of research teams in UK and abroad, and by the devising
All these activities
of improved instruments and techniques of magnetic measurement.
can be amply documented from the records below, though Blackett's contribution to
the debate on continental drift is more widely known through lectures and writings,
while his work on field reversal is more extensively displayed in the data and working
notes than in published work.
C.W.F. Everitt (C.268).
Attention is drawn to C.72 (1954) and C.125 (1967), which contain particu-
see especially C.125 -
The high proportion of notes in his own hand in the felders below indicates
his urge to maintain personal involvement in scientific research during a period when
much of his time was occupied with heavy public and political commitments in
Britain and overseas (see Sections E and G), and his Presidency of the Royal Society.
His interest in rock magnetism continued to the end of his life;
C.188 for the extensive data on magnetic field reversal and drafts for unpublished
papers on the subject, and the correspondence with R.L. Wilson (C.182) and
and, with more specific reference to magnetic field reversal, to C.170-C.171.
larly clear expositions of Blackett's thought on the subject at the dates in question
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
The material is presented as follows:
C.72-C.188
Working notes and data 1953-73
These folders, while generally following chronological order, often
group themselves about a specific paper or papers in which Blackett summed
up his research to date and advanced hypotheses: for example, C.106 -
C.124 and introductory note, dealing with his paper on climatology
(R.S.88), and C.125 - C.188 and introductory note, dealing with his
unpublished work on magnetic field reversal.
Correspondence found in these folders has been left in place, as
have drafts or notes for lectures.
The correspondence, when seen in
chronological order with its related notes and data, gives a good picture
of Blackett's drive in pressing on a research project.
C.221-C.268 Correspondence.
C.189-C.220 Lectures and papers.
See note to C.221 on the presentation of this material.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.72-C.188
WORKING NOTES AND DATA 1953-73
Ci72
Letter to Sir Ben Lockspeiser, to accompany Blackett's
application to Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
for three substantial research grants 'to support the study of rock
magnetism' by himself and $.K. Runcorn.
typescript.
5 pp. duplicated
3 May 1954
In this letter, Blackett says:
'As the subject and possibilities of rock magnetism are
not very well known in this country, | have thought it fit to
attempt to give a short outline of its history, and of possibilities
which may result from further work. '
The succeeding 'Notes' review current work throughout
the world, the contribution of various researchers (many of whom
supplied specimens, data or other information to Blackett, and
corresponded with him), existing hypotheses especially on field
reversal, Blackett's attempts to initiate co-operative projects
‘on an international level (especially in South Africa and with
Bhabha's Institute at Bombay), the importance of the project,
and Blackett's belief that at that time 'this country has, largely
through the operation of various accidental causes, taken over
the lead in the application of rock magnetism to geophysical
problems’.
Various dates
1951-56
Experimental notes and calculations on earth as dipole. May
1954
See also A.19, Blackett's letter to Rector, Imperial College,
on his plans for research in the Department of Physics.
Blackett's notes on the literature, of discussions with colleagues,
conference papers, etc.
magnetism 1955, 1956, 1961.
Misc. notes, drafts and papers by E.C. Bullard, J. Maddox,
N. Kawai, J.W. Graham and others, some annotated by
Various dates
Blackett.
Misc. press-cuttings of articles on Blackett's work on rock
1953-56
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
‘Tests on Rock Magnetism’.
Folder of notes and graphs of laboratory work on various
rocks;
most are in Blackett's hand, and all are checked
and verified by him.
c. 1954
Includes some work in collaboration with J.M. Pickering
on Triassic Sandstone.
Laboratory notebook inscribed on front cover 'P.M.S. Blackett.
May 1954.
Properties’.
Separation and Magnetic
Rock Minerals.
The experiments run May-September 1954, and deal with
the magnetic fields of various rock specimens.
The work
was done in collaboration with J.M. Pickering, but all
the notes and calculations in this book are in Blackett's
hand, in ink, with his own annotations, comments or
corrections added in pencil or red ink.
The pages are numbered up to 66;
a
list of slides.
pages 8 and 9 contain
Dublin' and the
Many of the sites used
The cover is inscribed 'T.A. Reilly.
Folder of photographs, diagrams and charts on magnetic
field reversal and polar wander.
by Blackett for his later work are indicated here.
contents bear some annotations in the same hand.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.79-C.83
'R.M. Book.
Notes and Data’.
Folder so inscribed, probably a reference to the Weizmann
Lectures 1954, published in an expanded version as Lectures
on Rock Magnetism, 1956.
See also C.91-C.92, C.193.
R.S.72.
Misc. notes and calculations, by Blackett and others,
on various aspects of rock magnetism, remanence, polar
wandering, etc., some dated.
c. 1954-56
3 pp. pencilled note by Blackett (unfinished), perhaps
on ‘Qualitative
draft for short paper or research talk,
Outline of Neel's Theory of the magnetisation of dispersed
magnetic materials’.
Correspondence 1954-55 (kept with above) in chronological order:
Marsden, E.
(Letter toL.F. Bates, passed on to Blackett)
(Transvaal Dykes)
(Japan lavas)
(Deccan Trap)
Asami, E.
Holmes, A.
Gough, D.
Weish, A;
|.
(...J.
Carey, S.
W.
(Tasmanian rocks)
Correspondence 1955.
Correspondence 1955-56.
(Blackett's carbon only)
(spontaneous magnetisation in Bohr magnetons)
(Icelandic lavas)
Dubois, P.
M.
Gorter, E.
W.
Belshé, J.
C.
Einarsson, T.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
"Rock Magnetism.
References.
Notes to be followed up, etc.'
Folder of notes on the literature, including theses and
information by colleagues.
Various dates
1955-56
Includes correspondence from: K.M. Creer, H.L.P. Jolly,
R.L. Wilson.
"Indian Lavas'.
Folder of experimental graphs and observations on effects
of heating and cooling on the magnetism of various specimens,
by Blackett and another.
Various dates
1955-56
‘Tapping Tests’.
Folder of misc. calculations and experiments, begins April
1956, but mostly dated August 1956.
See also C.195 for a paper given by Blackett on this
experiment.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.87-C.90
Work on new magnetic measuring instrument, designed by
Blackett and D.J. Sutton.
See Lovell, Memoir, pp.91-92 and R.S. 71, R.S.72.
Laboratory notebook, labelled 'P.M.S. Blackett, February
1955.
Vibration Instrument’.
Observations begin 2 February under the heading 'Rough
Test of Vibrating Instrument as left by Sutton’ and continue
to March.
hand, and pages numbered by him up to 72.
All the graphs and calculations are in Blackett's
'R.M. Vibration Instrument’.
Folder of notes and drafts, by Blackett and Sutton, and two
typescript drafts of their joint paper dated June 1955.
RiS.#1.
‘The separation of small
quantities of magnetic materials’.
Several ms. and typescript drafts for Appendix 2 of R.S.72.
Also included is brief correspondence with E.M.I. 1957,
Folder of notes, drafts and calculations, mainly on 'Jumping
distances' of particles of various rocks, used as preparatory
material for paper (dated 1955) and later work (dated 1957).
and 9 pp. notes by Blackett on 'Pick up Coil’, n.d.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.91-C.94
'R.M. Recent Reprints’.
Folder so described, containing:
Typed transcript of recording of the first of three Weizmann
Memorial Lectures, given by Blackett at Rehovot, 16 December
1954.
Includes Introduction, concluding remarks and conferral of
Fellowship on Blackett, by Chaim Pekeris.
(There are many blank spaces in the transcript, which was
reworked and expanded for later publication.)
17 pp.
Press-cuttings of reviews of Lectures on Rock Magnetism
(published version of the Weizmann Lectures) 1956-57.
RS.72-
See also C.79-C.83, C.193
Misc. notes on the literature, reports and data sent to
Blackett for information.
c. 1957
‘Suggested programme for palaeo-magnetic research in
the rock magnetism group of T.1.F.R.' ETata Institute,
Bombay].
Contains a review of work in progress and relations with other
groups, particularly Blackett's group at Imperial College. n.d.
Misc. correspondence with instrument makers and research
laboratories re equipment and materials for experiments in
magnetism.
1958
Mullard Ltd.
Newport Instruments
Philips Research Laboratories
Woe
1958
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.96-C,100
‘Rock Magnetism.
Physics 1961'.
Folder so described, dealing mainly with work 1958-61.
Notes, ideas, notes on the literature, including theses and
Work mainly
papers submitted by colleagues and students.
done 1959-61, but includes some notes dated 1956.
Plans and notes for lectures given at Kyoto 1961, under the
title 'On Distinguishing Field from Self-Reversed Rocks or
On Determining the History of the Earth's Magnetic Field
from Rock Magnetism’.
(The lecture was published in 1962 with a slight change of
tities © RS, 90.)
Folder also includes 1
at Tokyo, 1961.
See also C.207.
p. notes of ‘Discussion’ with colleagues
Correspondence 1958-59.
Bates, L.
F.
(ilmenites)
(ilmenites)
Carmichael, C.
M.
Bernd]; J.
DB;
Grogan, R.
M.
Barnard, G.
A.
Buddington, A.
F.
Correspondence 1961.
(comments on Blackett's work on continental drift)
Irving, E.
(comments on Blackett's climatology paper)
Correspondence 1961.
(paper by Carmichael)
Bozorth,.R.
M.
Dunham, K.
Ci
(ilmenites)
(ilmenites)
Uyeda, S.
-
Wohlfarth, E.
Nicholls, G.
Cee
oO
P.
D.
Holmes, A.
Blackman, M.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.101-C.102
"R.M. Lecture Notes, etc. 1958'.
Folder so described, containing:
Letter and paper on 'Fossil Magnetism', from E.R. Deutsch;
1
Introductory Remarks', n.d.
p. ms. notes by Blackett ‘Rock Magnetism Conference.
Ms. and typescript notes on thesis by G. Haigh on Deccan Trap
lavas.
Comments on 'An Analysis of Rock Magnetic Data’ (by
Blackett, Clegg and Stubbs, R.S.79), witha ms. note by
Blackett ‘Blundell’.
letter, and additional material, are in C.107.
This is D.J. Blundell, whose covering
C.102
Blackett's notes and calculations.
C.103-C.105
‘Geology and Continental Drift.
Physics of Drift'.
Folder so described, containing:
structure’
g
‘Continent and Ocean in static equilibrium’
"Dynamic lifting of continent by virtual convection current!
has a date 'December 1939! but this is a slip of the
(p.1
pen for 1959, which Blackett often made.)
‘Effect of virtual convection current on continents assuming
hase change
5 pp. pencilled notes, diagrams and calculations by Blackett,
dated 1.1.60. on various aspects of continental drift,
headed:
1958
Blackett's notes, and information sent to him by others.
theory of displacement of earth's crust)
1954 (with papers and reports re his
Carey, S..
W.
1955
Einarsson, T.
1955 (Icelandic rocks)
wae, Oo
F,
1953
Hopgood, C.: = H.
Correspondence 1953-58.
In chronological order:
Gussow, W.
G.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.106-C.124
Notes, working papers, drafts and correspondence relating to:
‘Comparison of ancient climates with the ancient latitudes
deduced from rock magnetic data', (Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond.,
A. 263).
R.S.88
This paper was referred to as ‘Climatology Paper’ in many of
the documents, and used by Blackett as a running title on his folders.
These folders, though incomplete and disordered, well illustrate
Blackett's method of work.
In addition to the large proportion of
graphs, notes and calculations in his own hand, the correspondence
shows his continuous search for information and new data from
colleagues, and his incorporation of the latest findings into suc-
cessive drafts and revisions of his paper.
Correspondence on special topics, e.g. corals, remains in
the relevant folders among the working papers, where Blackett
retained it;
C€.114-C.123.
other correspondence is in his 'Correspondence' folders,
‘Steril.
Notes and diagrams, some dated 1960.
‘Antarctica’.
Correspondence with D.J. Blundell 1960,
See also C.243.
"SALT and Arid Area Maps’.
Notes, diagrams, related offprints on ‘Permian climatic zonation’,
with special reference to paper by F.G. Stehli, Am. Jour. Sci.,
1957.
Extensive graphs, tables and diagrams, some dated 1961.
Notes, diagrams, etc.
with information on Blundell's palaeomagnetic investigations and
his comments on the paper by Blackett, Clegg and Stubbs R.S.79
(for the text of these comments see C.101).
"Rock areas by latitude measurement’.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.109
‘CORAL REEFS1.
Maps’.
Maps, graphs, calculations, notes on the literature (especially
articles by Dorothy Hill), some dated 1961.
Correspondence:
Dorothy Hill, April-July 1960 (N.B. the tone of this corres-
pondence, and the fact that C.L. Forbes suggested to Blackett
in January 1960 that he should write to D. Hill, do not suggest
that they were already acquainted.
See Lovell, Memoir, p.92.n.)
Colin L. Forbes (data for paper, comments on first draft, new data
to be included in second draft) January 1960-February 1961.
‘CORAL REEFS 2'.
Maps, graphs and calculations, based especially on the work of
D. Hill;
material for Blackett's paper at his request.
includes letters from her, February 1961, enclosing
'COAL'.
Some dated 1960.
Notes and graphs.
n.d.
‘Climatology Paper.
Final Calculations’.
Mainly graphs, some dated 1960.
‘Climate Paper.
Final Calculations and Data’.
C.114-C.123 ‘Climatology Paper. Correspondence' December 1959-May 1961
These letters deal specifically with points related to this
Blackett's requests for information and material, or for
magnetism, see C.221-C.268.
paper:
comments on drafts of the paper, or on related points arising from
his earlier paper in collaboration with Clegg and Stubbs, R.S.79.
For other correspondence related to Blackett's work on rock
The correspondence is presented alphabetically.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Ager, D.
Vz.
American Museum of Natural History
Association des services géologiques africains
Bain, G.
W.
(Blackett's carbon only)
Bernal, J.
OD.
coe
Brown, S.
H.
(Blackett's carbon only)
Buattard, Es
:G.
Bureau de recherches géologiques et miniéres
Creer, K.
M.
Crowther, J.
C.
Dabrowski, A.
de Beer, G.
Demarest, M.
(for TIME magazine)
‘Meat oR.
sk.
Edward Stanford Limited
Fischer, A.
Graham, J.
G.
W.
-H.
Grogan, R.
M.
Harland, W.
B.
Holmes, A.
—
Griffiths, D.
(Blackett's carbon only)
Janossy, L.
(Blackett's carbon only)
Howell, L.
G.
Ingels, B.
OD.
Hawkes, L.
Hills, E.
Irving, E.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Kalashnikov, A.
G.
Kirwan, L.
P.
(Blackett's carbon only)
Krumbein, W.
C.
Lotze, F.
McConnell, RR.
B.
McKee, E.
D.
Menard, H.
W.
Nicholls, G.
=D.
Revelle, R.
:
(Blackett's carbon only)
Robie, J.
W.
Runcorn, S.
K.
Sehove,D. = J.
Seligman, G.
‘Stientey lL.
BR.
Stewart, F.
1H.
Teichert, C.
Teisseyre, R.
Termier, H.
Thellier, E.
Ws, Ge
Tuve, M.
A.
Stubblefield, C.
J.
UNESCO (Arid Zone Unit)
Figures and diagrams.
Revised typescript with ms. corrections, November 1960.
First typescript draft for paper, dated May 1960.
‘Climate Paper.
Final drawings’.
Folder so described, containing:
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.125-C.188 WORK ON MAGNETIC FIELD REVERSAL
This topic occupied much of Blackett's interest in rock magnetism; he
delivered a paper on the subject at the International Conference at Kyoto, Japan,
in 1961 and from about 1964 concentrated almost entirely upon it, with the help
of his research assistants, notably Miss J.L. Langbein.
very extensive both in time and in the detail of the recordings, measurements,
The working papers are
calculations and drafts.
The unpublished paper ‘Some observations of the petrology of normal and
reverse lavas', subtitled ‘Progress Report on Work carried out since 1965' and
dated July 1967, provides a brief account of the work and a guide to the detailed
worksheets.
It has therefore been taken out of chronological sequence and placed
at the head of this section as item C.125, together with 'Table 1.
Details of sites
and samples' (included as a loose page) which lists the sites and the names of the
collectors of samples.
The working papers are presented in the order of the
chosen for the 1967 paper.
Much of the work is in Blackett's hand and indicates his determination to
give whatever time he could to scientific research despite his many political
Although the 1967 paper refers to 'work carried out since 1965', some of
analysed and measured in the period 1965-67 but not included in the 15 sites
maintained his interest and research on the problem after 1967.
ltems C.162 -
C.188 deal with the continuation of the analysis, and also with additional samples
the work began earlier (several folders and letters are dated from 1963) and Blackett
sites (15 in all) and many of the folders include correspondence with the collectors.
hands has been identified wherever possible.
commas are those he gave to folders, bundles of notes or data.
Work in other
activities at this period (see Section E).
The titles and descriptions in inverted
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
The material is presented as follows:
Cyi2zo ~ C.132
Texts, drafts and corrections of July 1967 paper.
C.133 - C.161
Working papers on field reversal 1962-67,
preceding July 1967 paper.
C.162:.- C..165
Working papers on field reversal not used in
July 1967 paper.
C.166 - C.169
Working papers on field reversal intended as
extension of work for July 1967 paper.
C2170 = C.188
Reworking of data, oxidation controversy and
last research 1967-73.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.125-C.132
Texts, drafts and corrections for Blackett's July 1967 paper
12.
‘Some observations of the petrology of normal and reverse lavas'.
Includes: | 'Master copy' of paper, with annotations and
corrections in Blackett's hand;
2 uncorrected photocopies of paper, one of which
has tables lacking in the ‘Master copy’;
2 copies of 'Table 1',
one annotated.
listing 15 sites and samples,
Folder of 'Data Sheets’.
Collected data and summaries of findings on the 15 sites chosen
for 1967 paper; almost all
in Blackett's hand, some by J.L. Langbein.
'R.M. Report.
Figures and Tables’.
Drafts, revisions and calculations for diagrams and appendices
in 1967 paper.
‘Final results.
Data for paper’.
Correspondence: R.L. Wilson.
‘Dating’.
Notes and diagrams, one dated 29.10.66. and headed '9 problem.
dates included in Doell table’.
Notes, calculations, diagrams, all in Blackett's hand, some with
various dates March-July 1967, one dated August 1966;
includes
Blackett's hand-drawn first draft of diagrams for paper.
annotated by Blackett.
Includes letter from J.M. Ade-Hall, May 1966, and 2 papers
by him:
Roche Samples' (20/4/66) and 'A Qualitative Examination of a
Sequence from the Deccan Plateau Basalts' (4/5/66) both
'Petrological Classification’.
Diagrams and tables on the chosen sites for 1967 paper, all in
Blackett's hand, various dates 1966-67.
‘Preliminary Results of Petrological Examination of
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Gyi3l
Notes on probability and standard deviation,used for a note
to an appendix for the paper;
a draft of the note is included.
Cyi32
'R.M. Report.
Comments on drafts’.
Extensive re-working of sections of the July 1967 paper, with
accompanying notes, most in manuscript, some in heavily-
corrected typescript.
but do not follow each other as a complete whole.
various dates in August 1967.
Many of the pages are in numbered sequences,
Some bear
Correspondence, with comments on, and additional material for
the paper, from J.M. Ade-Hall (2 letters) and N.D. Watkins.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.133-C.161
Working papers and data on field reversal (for 1967 paper)
C.133
'P.T.R.M.' [Partial thermo-magnetic remanent magnetism].
Folder so described, containing notes and diagrams, with some
fuller drafts for papers or ideas for research.
1962-63
Includes:
'Implication of Relationship between Alternation,
Redness and Size’, 2 pp.
"Notes on Lewis's Results', 9 pp., April 1963.
2 drafts, each 10 pp. heavily corrected, with
title 'Phenomological Analysis of Reverse Thermo-
Magnetic Remanence', one dated 'August 1962'.
"R.P.T.R.M.
partial thermo-magnetic remanent magnetism].
Paper with Havard and Lewis'.
[Reversed
Folder so described, of notes and research material.
Includes:
‘Ade-Hall Electron Probe Results’.
'Titano-Magnetites’.
Misc. notes on the literature.
Misc. notes, diagrams and calculations.
Correspondence with E.A. Vincent, April 1963.
Report by C.M. Carmichael 'Linga Series of
Indian Lavas', July 1962, 2 pp. annotated by
Blackett.
D.S.1.R. report by M. Lewis on work in progress,
mainly on reverse magnetism in Deccan Trap
lavas, 10 pp., May 1963.
titano-magnetites' in Geophys. J., 10, 1965.
The paper by Havard and Lewis referred to on the
file-cover was published as 'Reversed partial
thermo-magnetic remanence in natural and synthetic
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
"Ade-Hall Electron Probe Paper’.
Folder so described, including typescript draft of paper by
J.M. Ade-Hall ‘Electron probe microanalyser analyses of
basaltic titanomagnetites and their significance to rock
magnetism’, with corrections by the author amd some by
Blackett, for publication in Geophys. J.
Offprints of papers by Ade-Hall and R.L. Wilson on natural
and reversed magnetism of Mull lavas.
1963-64
‘Mull.
Dutt.
Measurements’.
(Site 1.
Collector:
S.K. Dutt).
Worksheets of observations by J.L. Langbein (most October
1964), notes and calculations by Blackett, some dated 1967.
Notes on 'Dutt's Rock’ and a
letter (undated) by J.M. Ade-Hall.
‘Mull A
Mull B. Copy of Measurement Sheets’.
(Sites land 2.
Collectors:
$.K. Dutt, J.M. Ade-Hall).
Worksheets by J.L. Langbein on samples from both sites,
September-October 1964.
"Mull Dyke and Baked Lavas A and B'.
"Iceland core’.
‘Mull B'.
(Site 2.
Collector:
J.M. Ade-Hall).
Includes: | worksheets on ‘Iceland core', by J.L. Langbein,
dated March 1965, with later calculations by
Blackett and McMurry;
later sets of worksheets on baked and unbaked
Mull lavas all in Blackett's hand, some with
various dates in July 1967.
related offprints (annotated).
letter from Ade-Hall, March 1967, to accompany
experimental results, and three drafts of Blackett's reply;
notes and diagrams on the samples, by Blackett and
Farrell;
data, calculations and notes on new specimens, all
by Blackett, some dated April-May 1967;
Includes: | worksheets on Mull B samples, by J.L. Langbein,
dated 1964;
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Small black notebook with Blackett's name inside front
cover, with pages of notes numbered 1-12,+ 3 unnumbered
pages.
The first page is dated 6/6/63 and has notes on Dutt's rocks
in Ade-Hall's hand.
in Blackett's
hand, and consists of notes and diagrams on the magnetisation
of Mull Dyke lavas, some with geographical notations and
markers suggesting they were made on site by Blackett.
The rest of the book is all
‘Iceland.
Sigurgeirson’.
(Site 3.
Collector:
Sigurgeirson).
Includes worksheets, some by J.L. Langbein dated January
1966 and some in Blackett's hand, undated.
Notes and calculations by Blackett, comparing the results
and concluding ‘Bad agreement JL and PMB. Alter final result’.
Copy, annotated by Blackett, of paper by J.M. Ade-Hall on
Icelandic lavas, 1963..
‘Papers.
Wilson Haggerty Watkins.
Study of Single Lava'.
1967
"Iceland.
(Sites 4,
5,
6.
Haggerty.
Measured by P.M.B.'.
Post Glacial Lavas.
Collector:
S.E. Haggerty).
Watkins's paper has a ms. note 'p.? removed to draft paper’.
Worksheets, diagrams and calculations on various types of
Icelandic lavas, all in Blackett's hand, various dates July 1966.
Misc. material, mainly drafts for papers by authors listed
above, submitted to Blackett for comment or information,
with some annotations by him.
1967
Note on the lavas by S.E. Haggerty and letter by him forward-
ing specimens to Blackett.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
"Iceland.
Haggerty.
Catalogue of samples.
Results’.
(Sites 4,
5,
6).
Calculations and results, all in Blackett's hand, mostly
dated December 1965.
Blackett's notes on the samples and results, December 1965.
Correspondence re samples, September-December 1965 from
S.E. Haggerty, R.L. Wilson, P. Dagley.
'Haggarty (sic)
| R+N'.
Worksheets on Icelandic lavas,
rest by Blackett, various dates August-October 1965.
p. by J.L. Langbein,
1
the
‘Haggerty Series 2.
R+N.
Tertiary?’
Worksheets and calculations, all
in Blackett's hand, undated.
‘Iceland.
Haggerty.
Series 3.
Tertiary Rand N’.
Worksheets, all
in Blackett's hand, undated.
‘Columbia River Basalts'.
Includes:
(Site 7. Collector:
N. Watkins).
correspondence with Norman Watkins, sending samples
and information, June 1963;
The samples are generally referred to as 'Columbia Plateau
Basalts' on the notes and worksheets.
February 1965.
notes and comments on Watkins's results by
E.W.McMurry, n.d.;
letter from Jennifer Langbein, August 1964, on
"Random Redness’ of Columbia Plateau Basalts,
and also announcing arrival of Roche samples (Site 9)
with many calculations by Blackett on 'Redness',
various dates June and August 1964;
misc. calculations on Columbia Basalts, various dates
1964, 1965, 1967;
worksheets on Columbia Basalts by J.L. Langbein,
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
"Steens Mountain’.
(Site 8.
Collector;
N. Watkins).
Worksheets and notes on specimens by J.L. Langbein and
Blackett, most dated August 1965.
‘Roche’.
(Site 9.
Collector; A. Roche).
Includes: | correspondence with E. Thellier (1963) and
A. Roche (1964-65) re samples and research
projects;
worksheets by J.L. Langbein, most dated September
1964 (see her letter in C.148 above);
misc. calculations by Langbein and Blackett on
various aspects of the Roche samples, various
dates, May, August 1965, March 1966.
See also C.225, C.246.
‘Asami results.
July '64'.
C.782
"Hawaii.
Doell.
all N'.
Includes:
(Site 10:
Collector:
E. Asami).
worksheets by J.L. Langbein, most dated July 1964;
misc. calculations by Blackett and Langbein on
various aspects of Asami's specimens.
comments on Asami's results in another hand (with
calculations by Clegg) n.d.;
correspondence with Eizo Asami re Blackett's request
for samples January, May 1965, with misc. offprints
by Asami, annotated and underscored by Blackett;
p. dated August 1966.
misc. calculations on various aspects of Hawaiian
samples, almost all by Blackett, mainly 1965;
1
Includes: — worksheets by J.L. Langbein and Blackett, various
dates March-August 1965, and some October 1964;
(Site 11.
Collector;
R.R. Doell).
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
G3153
‘dawaii.
Kauai.
Measurements’.
(Site 11.
Collector:
R.R. Doell).
Includes:
| exchange of letters with Richard R. Doell, June
Some of the relevant
1964-August 1965 re exchange of samples, research
methods and results.
research notes, e.g. codes of samples, lists of normal
and reverse magnetisation, have been left accompany-
ing the letters to which they refer.
Several of the
letters refer to Blackett's political activity and the
scant amount of time available for research, but at
the same time show his determination to continue
scientific work and the excitement he derived from
the results;
map of Icelandic lavas with extensive notes by Doell,
perhaps sent October 1964 (see correspondence of
that date, above);
misc. notes and calculations by Blackett on Doell's
Kauai samples, some dated 1966 and 1967;
worksheets on Doell's samples by J.L. Langbein and
Blackett, June 1965, with note by Blackett '17.7.67
Removed data sheet for app. of paper’.
'Tarling.
Hawaii results’.
(Site 12).
"Hawaii.
Tarling 1 and 2'.
(Site 12.
Collector:
D. Tarling).
Worksheets and calculations, almost all by J.L. Langbein, dated
December 1964, January 1965, May 1965.
lavas, various dates October-December 1964.
Worksheets and calculations by J.L. Langbein and Blackett,
most dated July 1965.
worksheets and calculations by J.L. Langbein and
Blackett on various aspects of Sani Pass and Maseru
Includes: | correspondence with Anton Hales (2 letters) and
Jan van Zijl re samples, 1964-65;
"Sani Pass.
Maseru.
Stormberg Lavas,
Collectors:
Van Zijl etal).
(Site 13.
Results November 1964'.
P_M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
"Deccan Lavas.
List of specimens.
Heating
g
and coolin
g
curves’.
(Site 14. Mahabaleshwar.
Collector: Sahasrabudhe).
Folder has an additional ms. note 'see also
Wearing, Havard'.
theses by Haigh,
Various series of notes, graphs and data, all in Blackett's
hand, including ‘Summary of Data April 1963', notes for
‘new paper’ with comparison of results by Haigh, Wearing,
Langbein, etc., and much other data on Linga rocks.
"India.
Mahabaleshwar (M series) 1966'.
(Site 14).
Includes: | worksheets on 'M series' all in Blackett's hand
1966;
calculations and tables of various aspects of 'M
series', most dated 1966, 1967.
'Kinghorn'.
(Site 15.
Collector:
R.L. Wilson).
A list of slides of rock specimens in Blackett's collection is
Inside the front cover is a note by Blackett of figures from
"Haigh notebook'.
Blue Imperial College notebook, kept by G. Haigh, of experi-
ments on thermal magnetisation.
Worksheets by J.L. Langbein, most dated January- February
1965, offprint on Scottish carboniferous basalts by Wilson and
Everitt, and some notes on the specimens by J.A. Clegg.
included on a loose page.
Blue notebook of colour photographs and diagrams of rocks
analysed in July 1967 paper (with notes and descriptions by
J.L. Langbein).
The experiments are undated, but one page of 'X-ray work
at Birkbeck' is dated 'from 28.v.56.'
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.162-C.165
Notes and material on sites and samples collected but not used
for July 1967 paper.
C162
Folder of misc. notes on various sites.
Includes:
= ms. note on Tasmanian samples by J.M. Ade-Hall,
1963;
draft paper on volcanic rocks of Rift Valley, Kenya,
no author or date;
Blackett's notes on the literature;
Blackett's graphs of normal and reverse magnetisation
dated December 1964.
"Antrim Dykes etc.'.
Worksheets, all in Blackett's hand, one set dated August 1967.
(Work on the Irish lavas had been suggested to Blackett by
Anton Hales in his letter of 26 January 1965.
See C.156.)
‘Amba.
Nipani'.
(This refers to two Indian sites, chosen for investigation by
Blackett but not used in the July 1967 paper.)
There are
Also included is a letter from K.M. Creer on Tristan da Cunha
"Random redness' analyses by J.L. Langbein,
August 1964;
worksheets on Amba and Nipani rocks by J.L.
Langbein, February 1965;
letter from J.L. Langbein, August 1964, on these
and other specimens being analysed;
Includes:
Blackett's ‘quick look at Amba and Nipani studies'
dated May 1964 in which he analyses information
and concludes on similarity of rocks;
rocks, n.d.
Blackett's list of sites is on the cover of the folder.
notes on rocks from Tristan da Cunha, Mauna Loa, Surtsey Island,
Etna, Easter Island, Juan Fernandez, Massa Tierra Island, Iceland, etc.
letter from J.M. Ade-Hall, January 1964, on his
Electron Probe paper (see C.135) and his Mull
lavas (see C.137-C.140).
Folder of misc. worksheets and calculations on other lavas, not
used in 1967 paper.
‘Recent lavas’.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.166-C. 169
Notes and material intended as extension of 1967 paper.
C.166
Blackett intended to expand his July 1967 paper by further
data from 3 additional selected sites:
Turkana (Collector:
R.L. Wilson), and Devonian
Brock), Iceland (Collector:
(Collector:
E. McMurry), bringing the total to 18.
A copy of Tables 1,
2 and 3 of the 1967 paper, with the
additional results pencilled in by Blackett, is listed here
as a separate item and guide to C.166-C.169 and C.182-C.185.
‘Turkana’.
Folder of worksheets and calculations on the lavas, all in
Blackett's hand.
Letter from P.K.S. Raja, to accompany specimens.
Lower Devonian Lavas.
Misc. notes and worksheets, most headed 'McMurry.
Lower
Devonian Lavas', some dated June, July 1968 and some re-
workings, September 1972.
‘Lewis.
McMurry’.
Material relating to the third site chosen for the additional
investigation, ‘Iceland W.C.', was kept by Blackett with
Draft paper by M. Lewis, ‘Some experiments on synthetic
titanomagnetites', December 1966, with corrections and
annotations by Blackett and 2 pp. ms. notes.
Draft paper by E.W. McMurry, 'Palaeomagnetic results from
Scottish lavas of lower Devonian age', n.d. (c) 1967-68,
with corrections and annotations by Blackett.
the ‘reworked’ folders, and appears in C.182-C.185.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.170-C.188
Re-working of data, with special reference to the ‘oxidation
controversy’.
These folders deal with new research, or the re-working of previous samples
and data, in an attempt to determine whether field reversal was attributable to changes
in the earth's magnetic field, or was self-induced by magnetic interactions between
differing iron/titanium oxides (the Fe-Ti relation referred to in the correspondence and
documents below).
The work was mainly based on samples provided by J.M. Ade-Hall and R.L.
Wilson at Liverpool University, with whom Blackett maintained regular links by corres-
pondence and visits.
See the relevant correspondence in C.221-C.268 below.
Blackett's ideas on the subject can be seen developing in C.170-C.171, and
are set out humourously in C.172.
With the exception of tables of results, etc. sent to Blackett for information,
all these notes, worksheets and classification of data are in his own hand, which
becomes increasingly cramped in the later work.
See C.219 for lectures by Blackett on oxidation.
'R.M. notes, etc. July 1968’.
Some of the notes are in sequence, others are loose pages;
have no date, but some have dates 1966, with 1
Thoughts!' January 1968.
p. 'Random
most
Also included is a related short ms. paper by P.J. Smith,
annotated by Blackett.
Correspondence with J.M. Ade-Hall, July and August 1967,
with a detailed draft reply from Blackett outlining his ideas for
further research on oxidation and some early results.
Misc. notes on the literature or on conversations with colleagues,
calculations and plans for research, the latter sometimes appearing
as marginalia or comments in red ink.
The folder gives a good impression of Blackett's methods of work.
The file includes a
on oxidation and self-reversal dated 15.5.66, and a draft for
‘Appendix’ probably for July 1967 paper.
2 pp. sequence of assumptions and deductions
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
2 pp. ms. notes, with many additions and revisions, of an
examination of the field and self-reversal controversy expressed
in parodic form as a legal case 'Core v/s Surface’, described
as ‘Situation like last chapter but one of one of the detective
stories by one of Oxford's Hon.D. Laws'.
bered 5 and 6 by Blackett and presumably formed part of a longer
sequence which has not survived.
The pages are num-
The notes include ‘Case for prosecution of Earth's core' (i.e.
self-reversal), ‘The Core's Case for its Defence’, and verdict
of 'NOT PROVEN'.
There are also 2 quatrains of rhyming couplets by Bret Harte,
copied out by Blackett.
There is no indication of place or date, or whether the 'case'
was publicly delivered.
‘Random thoughts' notes dated 1968 in C.171.
The paper used is the same as for the
C.173-C.175
‘Oxidation Controversy’.
1967-68
Letter from N.D. Watkins with data on Steens Mountain
oxidation analyses, July 1968.
Misc. related offprints on same topic, almost all annotated
Notes and correspondence relating to paper by R.L. Wilson and
N.D. Watkins, 'Correlation of petrology and natural magnetic
12.
polarity in Columbia Plateau basalts', Geophys. J.,
Their findings were challenged by E.E. Larson and D.W.
Strangeway in Geophys. J.
Copies of Larson and Strangeway's paper, and of Wilson and
Watkins's reply, with 4 pp. ms. note by Blackett on the con-
troversy dated 22.12.67., and other notes on the Steens
Mountain result, and correspondence with R.L. Wilson,
January 1968.
or underscored by Blackett.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
‘Single lava.
CO64. Ade-Hall, July 1968'.
Folder so described.
Includes: | correspondence from J.M. Ade-Hall on specimens,
June and September 1968;
worksheets, graphs, calculations all in Blackett's
hand, some dated June 1968.
The 'Single lava' is not identified, but may be the Canary Island
specimen referred to by Ade-Hall in his letter of August 1967
in C2170,
See also C.185, note.
C.177-C.180
Reworking of Mull dykes and Antrim baked lavas.
Cor
Misc. worksheets and data on Antrim and Mull lavas, some
referring to Ade-Hall's 'Electron Probe’ work and to P.J. Smith's
‘homogeneous titanomagnetite work' (see C.134-C.135, C.164
and C.170).
Includes:
Misc. worksheets and data, calculations and tables, various
dates, February-May 1970.
These notes probably originally constituted a ‘Mull Dyke 1'
folder to accompany ‘Mull Dyke 2' and '3' below.
letters from R.L. Wilson and J.M. Ade-Hall
enclosing specimens, September and December
1969.
from Ade-Hall, November 1969.
Misc. graphs and working papers.
Preprint of paper by Ade-Hall and R.L. Wilson on ‘Opaque
petrology and natural remanence polarity in Mull (Scotland)
Dykes', with some annotations by Blackett, and a brief note
Duplicated draft of Ade-Hall's 1962 paper 'The Relationship
between Petrology and Remanent Magnetisation in the Dutt
Mull Basalt Collection’, with many ms. annotations by Blackett.
‘Mull Dyke 2.
Worksheets.
Data 7.2.70'.
Extensive worksheets, all in Blackett's hand, marked 'N.S.'
or ‘New Set',. various dates January-February 1970.
‘Dykes paper.
Collected results 3’.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
'M. Series.
Measured 1970'.
(a re-working of data from Site 14, Mahabaleshwar, India)
Worksheets and calculations, all in Blackett's hand, most
dated May 1970.
C.182-C.185 Work on Western Iceland (WC).
This, which had been intended to be used as Site 17, Collector:
R.L. Wilson, in the proposed extension to the July 1967 paper,
represents Blackett's last piece of scientific research.
See also
C.1664.0 176,
Extensive correspondence with R.L. Wilson, April 1971-July
1973.
The correspondence shows Blackett's continuing wish
to maintain an active interest in rock magnetism, and to
participate in research.
He undertook petrological analyses
of Western Icelandic rock samples for Wilson, and exchanged
results and information throughout 1972.
Here, as in earlier
work, Blackett insisted on some form of coding so that the work
was done 'blind’ to avoid any possibility of biased findings;
tables and data to accompany specific letters have been left
as received.
der; aes
Recent papers and research data sent by Wilson at Blackett's
request to bring him up to date on work in progress.
re
"Iceland
6210,72.'
'! certainly won't undertake any more petro-
in fact | won't do any more experimental work
Extensive worksheets, calculations, graphs, etc. on Western
Icelandic rocks sent from Liverpool by R.L. Wilson, all in
Blackett's hand, various dates January-September 1972.
In his letters of May and July 1973, Blackett admits his
inability to complete the task or undertake any further research,
and concludes:
logical work -
atall'.
C186 continued
Extensive folder of worksheets and calculations, tables, notes
on the literature, comparisons of 1967 and 1971 collections
of Icelandic specimens, all in Blackett's hand (except for
brief explanations toaccompany samples, in R.L. Wilson's hand).
Includes:
5 bundles of worksheets, various dates, November
1971-October 1972.
The sheets are in the order
of the numbered specimens as Blackett kept them,
which does not necessarily correspond to chronological
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
C.185
continued
Section C - Magnetism
sheets of notes, calculations and codings, various
dates, January, March, September 1972;
notes on the literature and plans for research,
n.d. probably late 1971.
Note:
some of the worksheets contain data marked 'CO'
and dated 1967;
see C.176.
Misc. items relating to Blackett's Rock Magnetism Group at
Imperial College.
Includes synopsis of course (n.d.), lists of reprints, 1956,
list of Ph.D. Theses, 1954-61, report on work of group 1957-60,
notes, correspondence and text of research report 1965-66.
Administrative correspondence re members of group, equipment,
-theses, etc. (not indexed) 1964-66.
baa also A. 23.
Misc. offprints on the oxidation controversy, all annotated
by Blackett.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.189-C.220 LECTURES AND PAPERS ON ROCK MAGNETISM 1953-72
The material is presented chronologically as far as possible with cross-
references to working papers, correspondence or other related items elsewhere
in the collection.
All items are autograph manuscript unless indicated otherwise.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Cyiee, a ae
2 lectures given at Rome, January 1953, both heavily corrected
mss. in poor condition, first lecture 6 pp., second lecture 4 pp.
P.1 (with title) of first lecture is missing; second lecture is
titled ‘Measurement of Magnetism of Rocks’.
"Rock Magnetism1.
Delhi, January 1953'.
Brief headings for lecture, 1
p. only.
"Rock Magnetism.
B.A. Oxford, September 1954'.
Headings and notes for lecture given at British Association meeting,
6 pp. with many underscorings, additions, notes of points to be
discussed with colleagues, and followed by pages of notes perhaps
taken at other lectures or arising from talks at meeting.
"Rock Magnetism.
Rehovoth.
Rough notes’.
Rehovoth, 195411‘, and 'Rock Magnetism 2.
Brief headings only for Weizmann Memorial Lectures, later
expanded and published as Lectures on Rock Magnetism, 1956.
R.G.72.
See also C.79-C.83, C.87-C.90, C.91-C.92.
Notes for three lectures.
"Rock magnetism, Mexico City 31/8/55’.
Headings, diagrams, brief notes for talk, 3 pp.
Also included are contract with publishers, press-cuttings of reviews
of book, brief editorial correspondence.
drift, but mainly on field reversal, 4 pp.
(included with above) 'Kapitza Institute, June 4, 1958
R.M. and C.D.' (Rock Magnetism and Continental Drift).
Headings and notes, using similar material, 3 pp.
‘Cambridge.
Geophys. Colloquium, May 7 1956'.
Headings, diagrams and notes, some on continental
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
‘Effects of Vibration on some igneous rocks, September 1956'.
Typescript and ms. draft for paper describing ‘tapping’
experiment, 5 pp. + 2 pp. figures and graphs.
See also C.86 for working papers on this experiment.
The work arose from the paper on 'Self-reversals in British
rocks' by C.W.F. Everitt, a typescript draft of which, annotated
by Blackett, accompanies the document.
‘Rock Magnetism.
September 1956'.
Synopsis of lectures at the the B.A.
Typescript with ms. corrections, 4 pp.
‘The Magnetism of Rocks', talk given on BBC "Science Survey",
9 December 1954.
Galley proofs and copy of The Listener in
which the talk was printed under the title 'Have the Continents
Drifted?'
‘The Magnetism of Rocks', typed draft of above, with later
substantial ms. corrections and additions and note 'BBC 1955/56',
9 pp.
‘Rock magnetism and Continental Drift’.
Second copy of above with ms. note on p.6 verso, not in
Blackett's hand, of 'Exhibits in the library’, to accompany talk.
Typed draft, 6 pp., for talk at Royal Institution (p.1 has ms. note
"Ri tty nae C9867.
‘The Magnetism of Rocks', second copy of above with a few
further ms. corrections and a note ‘Rundfunk 1956 after BBC script’,
10 pp.
Blackett's talk, 28 June 1956, at Lindau.
‘Rock Magnetism and Continental Drift.
Lindau, June 1956'.
German translation of C.200 prepared for press after delivery of
Headings, notes and diagrams for talk, ms. 4 pp.
1
p. notes on 'R.M. references before 1940'.
'Gesteinmagnetismus und Kontinentale Trift'.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
‘Note on the relative improbability of (a) field reversals and
(b) no field reversals.
8.3.58.' (2 copies)
A 2 pp. note, perhaps for discussion with Blackett's own
research group;
hand, has corrections and additions in red ink by another.
the second copy, inscribed ‘Everitt’ in Blackett's
"Magnetic Ageing of some Indian basalts' with ms. notes ‘original’,
and date ‘October 1956'.
Heavily corrected typescript, 17 pp.
'The Magnetic Properties of some Indian basalts', with ms. note
‘October 1956 corrected January 1959'.
Copy of above with further substantial ms. corrections and
additions, 17 pp.
'R.S.
12 May 1960'.
1
p. brief notes and headings for summary of paper 'An analysis
of rock magnetic data’ by Blackett, Clegg and Stubbs (R.S.79)
read at Royal Society; a copy of the printed summary accompanies
the draft.
'On distinguishing self-reversed from field-reversed rocks’.
Paper read at the International Conference on Magnetism and
Crystallography, Kyoto, Japan, October 1961 (R.S.90).
The folder includes:
Blackett's 'First Draft 33 pp.' with title 'On deducing the history
of the earth's field from rock magnetism studies', sub-titled
‘Draft for Lecture, Tokyo 1961'.
See also C.97.
Offprint of Kyoto Lecture (R.S.90), with marginal scorings by
Blackett. (Text varies from draft above).
Copy of programme of meeting (Blackett chaired the morning
session), with ms. alterations.
Brief editorial correspondence re publication of Conference
proceedings.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
2 lectures given at Tata Institute, Bombay, 1962.
Lecture I, 'On rock magnetism and continental drift, 12.462, '
includes the discussion after the lecture, typescript, 13 pp.
Lecture I], 'Reversely magnetised rocks', typescript, 7 pp.
‘The Problem of Reversely Magnetised Rocks.
1962".
Newcastle, July
Ms. notes with many corrections in pencil and in red ink.
pps. 1,
pages of diagrams and calculations.
9 numbered by Blackett, with 4 unnumbered
3, 7,
2,
8,
C2210 Ci21)
‘Rock Magnetism and History of Earth's Magnetic Field.
The Cherwell-Simon Memorial Lecture, Luror, Sao, Gt.
Ms. notes with many corrections and revisions in pencil and in
various inks.
4 numbered pages + 1 unnumbered.
‘The Problem of Reversely Magnetised Rocks, Oxford, 1963".
‘Problem of Reversely Magnetised Rocks.
Bristol, 1963'.
Ms. notes, 2 pp.
Problem of Reversely Magnetised
Ms. notes with pencil additions, 2 pp.
‘Tata Institute, 19.12.63.
Rocks’.
‘Rock Magnetism and Continental Drift. P.M.A. Celebrity
Lecture, 31 October 1963'.
This is the draft for the Cherwell-Simon lecture, based on the
notes but omitting the introductory section.
Heavily corrected
ms., 9 pp,
@ transcript from a shorthand or taped version).
Lecture delivered at Sheffield, typescript, 21 pp. (probably
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Discussion on Continental Drift organised by the Royal Society,
held at the Royal Institution, London, 19 and 20 March 1964.
Blackett initiated the meeting in collaboration with Bullard
and Runcorn, and contributed an introductory paper.
heavily corrected ms.
7 pp.,
Copy of notice of meeting and abstracts of papers, and of the
published version of Blackeft's introduction,
See Lovell, Memoir, p.93 for the view that 'this symposium
was influential in changing attitudes’.
R.S.104.
2 lectures given at Pekin, September 1964:
"Rock Magnetism and Continental Drift', 4 pp.
"Reversely Magnetised Rocks and the History of the Earth's
Magnetic field',
6 pp.
‘Our wandering continents’.
(Eighth Hugh Macmillan Lecture, February 1966).
Envelope of photographs, and list of slides only.
Ri $402,
Notes and headings for talk, 2 pp.
Lectures 2 and 3 of a series, n.d.
"NATO Advanced Study Institute: Continental Drift, Sea
Floor Spreading and Plate Tectonics, 10-14 April 1972'.
Notes and headings, 6 unnumbered pages.
"Lecture 2.
magnetic oxides ... in Rock Magnetism', heavily
annotated ms., 5 pp.
See C.170-C.188 for working papers on oxidation.
‘Lecture 3.
2 pp.
Discussion of Experimental Observations’,
‘The proportion of the Remanent Ferro-
'R.M. Notes for Lectures N.Z.'
n.d.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.221-C.268 CORRESPONDENCE ON ROCK MAGNETISM 1952-74
Blackett kept his correspondence on rock magnetism in roughly chronological
order, in very bulky folders, separate from his other letters.
The original bulky
folders have been split into more manageable proportions, but the chronological order
has been retained since it reveals the development of his ideas through his own and
others’ researches, and the urgency with which he pressed on a project which
interested him.
Sometimes Blackett would remove material of special interest or
relevance and interfile it with the related datasheets or working papers;
such letters
have been left in place, and a note made on the relevant items in earlier entries.
Blackett also kept in a special folder correspondence specifically related to his
major paper on climatology (R.S.88):
see C.114-C.123.
In the folders below, extensive correspondence with an individual has been
kept together, with terminal dates and some indication of content.
(See especially
the entries for J.M. Ade-Hall, E.C. Bullard, S.K. Runcorn, R.L. Wilson.)
research, to be followed.
period he was in constant touch with colleagues, requesting samples, discussing
The correspondence is particularly heavy for 1964-646, when Blackett was
amount of administrative correspondence about grants, degrees, appointments, etc.
actively pursuing the research for the unpublished paper of 1967.
During this
results, methods and equipment, preparing papers and the like;
there is also a small
development of Blackett's thinking, and the peaks of his activity in this field of
With these exceptions, the material is presented chronologically, thus enabling the
continued
for his research students.
The ensuing decline of Blackett's active research is also reflected in the
correspondence.
His last letter toC.W.F. Everitt, February 1974, is very inter-
esting in this respect (C.268).
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
A brief indication is given in the catalogue entries of any material of
particular scientific or personal interest, and all correspondents are listed in the
general index.
Note:
Additional correspondence on rock magnetism appears in C.81-C.82,
C.98-C.100, C.105, C.114-C.123, and passim among the related
working papers.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
1952
J. Hospers
(2 letters)
D.H. Griffiths
on remanent magnetism of varved clays
E.C. Bullard
on T. Nagata's findings
J.A. Clegg
1953
8 pp. ms. letter, annotated by Blackett, sent
from Manchester and describing rock magnetism
experiments with the Manchester magnetometer,
December 1952
(Clegg later joined Blackett at Imperial College
and was his principal collaborator.)
E. Irving
on measurements at Jodrell Bank
$.K. Runcorn
(2 letters) on current geophysical research
in Cambridge
H. Manley
T. Nagata
1954
1955
E. Thellier
(Blackett's carbon only)
E.C. Bullard
on paper by Clegg
letter annotated by Blackett and accompanied
by references and ms. noies by Blackett on
Manley's thesis
(Blackett's carbon only, requesting specimens)
(2 letters) on magnetic anisotropy, and cobalt
crystal
E.W. Gorter
W.J. Pugh
E.P. Wohlfarth
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
1956
E. Thellier
~E. Asami
(May-July) on Roche's specimens (see also
C.150, C.246)
on basalt lavas (copy of his paper, with covering
note)
Also included here is material re International Conference on Rock
Magnetism, held at Imperial College, 1-3 November 1956;
programme, abstracts of papers given, list of participants, and a
list of participants at Symposium on Electromagnetic Phenomena in
Cosmical Physics, Stockholm, 27-31 August 1956.
1958
S. Akimoto
on own and Nagata's researches on Antarctic
rocks, rhombohedral crystals, ferromagnetites
Included here are the Minutes of the Conference on Palaeomagnetism
held in Russia, 15-17 April 1958, heavily annotated by Blackett.
1959
R.H. Dicke
A.P. Millman
This folder was kept as a separate item by Blackett.
Scientific and personal correspondence with S.K. Runcorn, 1960-66.
on purchase of X-ray scanning microanalyser for
Ore Microscopy Group at Imperial College,
and collaboration in
its use (correspondence
continues to February 1960)
See under Runcorn in the general index.
Letters bearing on specific questions in Blackett's current research
were kept with the relevant working papers, and are listed with
them in C.72-C.188 above.
The scientific material relates to rock magnetism studies, research
projects and workers.
publications, departmental and university affairs and the like.
It includes also information on conferences,
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
C.2e9/©. 230
1960
Section C - Magnetism
C.229
K.C. Dunham
(2 letters, one December 1959) on
Rookhope Borehole
G.D. Nicholls
F.M. Broadhurst
(Both these letters protest against an impression,
given by Blackett at a talk in Department of
Physics, Manchester University, that geologists
- were opposed to the idea of continental drift.
Blackett wrote letters of apology in reply.)
A.K. Parker
(request from C.U.P. for book on continental
drift - declined by Blackett as premature and
still controversial)
K.W. Graham
enclosing paper and photographs on portable
rock drill
S.K. Runcorn
on ‘geological and geophysical departments
in the States which you would find worth
_ visiting’
1.Y. Ashwell
V. Vacquier
E.C..Bullard
S.K. Runcorn .
P.H.S. Stubbs
C.231-C. 233
196]
C.231
A.F. Buddington
on geophysics research in USA
enclosing chapter contributed by him to book
on continental drift
on Columbia basalts
(Blackett's carbon only, on paper by Stubbs)
T. Nagata
A.V. Cox
J.D.A. Zijderveld
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
K.C. Dunham
(2 letters) on Rookhope Borehole
D.H. Lindsley
D.N. Wadia
C. Emiliani
(Blackett's carbon only, on oxygen dating)
J.W. Graham
1963
C.M. Carmichael
on Linga series
E.C. Bullard
(2 letters) on recent papers
E. Thellier
R.L. Wilson
R.L. Johnson
E. Irving
1962-65
Folders of correspondence with Royal Astronomical Society,
mainly re papers submitted by Blackett on behalf of members
of his Rock Magnetism Group for publication in Geophysical
Journal.
The papers involved include those by J.M. Ade-
Hall, R.L. Wilson, P.J.Smith, A.D. Havard, M. Lewis,
V.L.S. Bhimasankaram and others, on various rock analyses
referred to in the working papers, and are accompanied by
covering or supporting letters by Blackett giving his opinion
about their value.
folders, where Blackett left them.
Some similar letters forwarding or acknowledging papers by
these colleagues also remain in the general correspondence
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Correspondence on collaboration with Russian scientists, 1964-65.
Following a letter from Professor P.N. Kropotkin in March 1964,
suggesting collaborative work between Russian and British scientists
on the problem of continental drift, Blackett wrote to some of his
colleagues, and to the Secretary of the Royal Society.
Included also are details of a visit to Imperial College by a delegation
of Russian scientists in February 1965, at which it was hoped to
discuss the matter.
C.236-C. 248
1964
C.236
R.L. Wilson
S.K. Runcorn
January-December 1964.
pondence on research, publications, appoint-
ments, etc.
General corres-
January-September 1964;
programme for NATO Advanced Study Institute
conference on 'The Magnetism of celestial
bodies' to be held at Newcastle, April 1965.
includes proposed
J.M. Ade-Hall
January-September 1964 (Ade-Hall was at
Ife University, Ibadan during this period);
correspondence on reseaich, publications,
loan of proton magnetometer.
Correspondence with colleagues in India re collection and analysis of
samples, and also training of Indian students to collaborate with
Blackett and to continue Rock Magnetism studies in India.
pondents include:
V.S.L. Bhimasankaram, Osmania University, Hyderabad
P.W. Sahasrabudhe, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay
M.F. Soonawala, and M.S. Mehta, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur
M.W. Chaudhari, Maharaja's College, Jaipur
S. Balakrishna, Osmania University, Hyderabad
B.C. Roy, Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
R.L. Grasty
January-December 1964.
Corres-
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
P.J. Burek and D. Vogelsang, January-December 1964, on German
basalts.
A.L. Hales
January-August 1964, on S. African lavas
J. Sutton
N. Kawai
(Blackett's carbons only)
A.P. Millman
on pyrrhotite
J. McG. Bruckshaw
(Blackett's carbon only)
E.C. Bullard
February-September 1964
E. Thellier
on Roche lavas
R.M. Blunden
Scott Williams Inc.
(purchase of samples)
i. Kuion
A.N. Hunter
P.V. Sharma
T.S. Westoll
K.M. Creer
(Blackett's carbon only)
D. Williams
(Blackett's carbon only)
(Blackett's carbon only) on Stehli's work
see also C.107
Correspondence with J.C. Trevor, March-May 1964, on early references
to continental -drift.
to A.R. Hall and L. Kellner.
Includes 6 pp. letter from Trevor of detailed notes and references,
written after hearing one of Blackett's lectures on the subject.
folder also includes a typescript of Blackett's introductory talk at
the Royal Society Symposium (see C.215) and carbons of his letters
The
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.245
J. Edwards
D.W. Powell
on tertiary dykes
Nature
Richard Thomas and Baldwin
E. Irving
R.K. Verma
(Blackett's carbon only)
A. Roche
on samples sent to Blackett
N.D. Watkins
R.R. Doell
on Hawaiian lavas
C.F.A. Pantin
D.A. Valencio
‘E. Orowan
on continental drift
E. Refai
B. Gregor
W.B. Harland
on Hawaiian basalt
D.W. Strangeway
D.W. Collinson
on German basalts (Blackett's carbon only)
T. Sigurgeirsson
(Blackett's carbon only)
with brief reference by Blackett to beginning
of Rock Magnetism work in China
to Peking)
(carbons only, sending equipment and designs
D. Tarling
W-Y Chang
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
C.249-C.254 1965
C.249
R.L. Wilson
Section C - Magnetism
General correspondence on current research, plans to visit China
to obtain specimens, publications, proposed new rock-dating unit
at Liverpool.
January~November 1965.
(Several letters bear Blackett's annotations).
D.W. Powell
January-May (letters annotated by Blackett)
E. Asami
A.L. Hales
(Blackett's carbon only)
A. Roche
(Blackett's carbon only)
P.J. Smith
M.W. McElhinny
on geophysics in Rhodesia
BC) Bullard
M.W. Hardas
S.K. Banerjee
S.K. Dutt
April, on rock magnetism studies in Bihar,
and Blackett's earlier Vibration instrument
April, suggesting collaborative studies with
Blackett
magnetometer)
(letters annotated by Blackett and some
marked 'Important')
E. Irving
(Blackett's carbon only, refers to his early
Science Journal
(request for article on field reversal)
K.M. Creer
N.D. Watkins
P.W. Sahasrabudhe
W. Bullerwell
R.R. Doell
C.W.F. Everitt
R.K. Verma
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
D.T. Donovan
J.A. Miller
D. Vogelsang
on Thai ores
R.L. Grasty
C.255-C.260 1966
C .208
Correspondence with R.L. Wilson, January-October (includes
correspondence with other members of Wilson's group re appoint-
ments, research, etc.), on research in progress, applications for
new projects, paper describing ‘Icelandic palaeomagnetic project’
undertaken by Wilson and others in 1965 and discussed in corres-
pondence 1965 and 1966
(see also C.256 for Blackett's correspondence with J.M. Ade-Hall,
1966)
Other correspondents include:
P.J. Smith
J.W. Graham
M.G. Rutter
J. Edwards
Sir O. Graham Sutton
F. Fitch
on East African rocks
Cutrock Engineering Co.
(Blackett's carbon only)
Correspondence with J.M. Ade-Hall, March-July 1966
Drift
The Mantle of the Earth', Osmania University,
Hyderabad, April 1966
V.L.S. Bhimasankaram: includes particulars of seminar on 'The Crust and
B. Choubert
on early French researches on Continental
Andhra University
(Ph.D. examination)
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Correspondence with R.R. Doell and A.V. Cox, February-
November, on Hawaii rocks, and on Doell's visit and lecture
to Blackett's Imperial College group.
D.W. Powell
S.A.F. Murrell
P.W. Sahasrabudhe __ on petrological researches at Tata
& C.R.K. Murty
Institute, Bombay, March-November
T. Nagata
K.M. Creer
(Blackett's carbons only)
W.D. Farrell
(Blackett's carbon only)
Jennifer Grasty
(Jennifer Langbein, who had been Blackett's
research assistant 1958-65, married Robert
L. Grasty)
A.B. Reid
C.261-C. 262
1967
C.261
Mainly
See also C.170-C. 188.
K.A. Chowdhury
E.C. Bullard
Includes a letter sent to Wilson by André Larochelle on his palaeo-
statistics papers.
Correspondence with R.L. Wilson and J.M. Ade-Hall.
on Mull, Icelandic and other lavas, related to Blackett's re-working
of some of his data.
B.M. Funnell
V.L.S. Bhimasankaram
W. O'Reilly
S. Haggerty
E.W. McMurry
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
statement of current opinion on continental
drift
1968
J.M. Ade-Hall
E.C. Bullard
1970
J.M. Ade-Hall
D.H. Tarling
C.265-C. 266
1971
C.265
W.D. Farrell
J.M. Ade-Hall
P.J. Smith
1972
J.M. Ade-Hall
K.M. Creer
E.W. McMurry
(Blackett's carbon only)
Folder onresearch project ‘Palaeomagnetism of East Africa',
funded by Natural Environment Research Council and sponsored
by Blackett.
taking part.
The project ran 1965-70, several investigators
Folder includes 2 copies of the 'Final Report' with descriptions
of the work, list of publications, etc., and letter of thanks for his
support from A. Brock to Blackett, 1971.
See C.218 for notes for a talk given at the conference.
Includes notice of NATO Advanced Study Institute conference on
Plate Tectonics, held at Newcastle, April 1972, with a ms. note
by Blackett 'I will go’.
Blackett's undated typescript and ms. draft
of a letter suggesting possible new research
project for 'speeding up the diffusion process
by some other physical agent than heat'.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
C.268
1974
Section C - Magnetism
Correspondence with C.W. Francis Everitt.
In his reply, Blackett writes (February 1974):
'l am still interested
in the origin of the Earth's magnetic field and | still have interest
in diversed (sic) magnetisation but agree with the general view that
these reversals are wholly dependent on the reversals of the Earth's
core’,
and ‘I am still just as puzzled as | was many years ago’.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.269-C.285 WORK ON HIGH TEMPERATURE PLASMAS, CONTROLLED FUSION
REACTION AND PINCHED DISCHARGES
Work on thermonuclear reactions at Imperial College was begun by G.P. (Sir
George) Thomson in 1945-46.
Its nature and development are clearly explained in
a Note by Thomson contributed to the Minutes of the Governors' Meeting, 25 February
1958, which appears as C.269 below.
See also D.200, Thomson's letter and note to
Blackett of June 1946 in which he explains his early ideas for a torus.
Blackett's own interest in the use of a magnetic field in fusion reactions seems
to date from 1958,
As always, he pressed on the research, producing copious notes
and narratives incorporating new material as it came to hand, testing and checking
his own and others’ calculations and using the results for lectures, discussions, etc.
His lectures at the Tata Institute, Bombay, in February 1958 (C.271) represent his
first presentation of the work of the Imperial College team, many of the notes and
working papers being additions to and revisions of this.
of the work done in 1958-59.
None of the notes in this section go beyond 1959;
though Blackett lectured
The reports by R. Latham and J.A. Nation in C.275 set out the conclusions
on ‘Controlled fusion reactions’ in 1961 (R.S.85) there is no surviving material relating
to that occasion.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Note by Sir George Thomson on history of thermonuclear reaction
work at Imperial College (extract from Minutes of Governors'
meeting, 25 February 1958) - see introductory note above.
See also D.200, Thomson's letter and memo. on the 'toroid',
June 1946.
Letter, February 1958, to Blackett from R. Latham, leader of the
group at Imperial College, describing work to date and enclosing
photographs dated 23.10.57; with notes on Condenser Bank by
another.
‘Controlled fusion reaction’.
Lectures given at the Tata Institute, Bombay, February 1958;
typescript, 48 pp. including 3 tables.
"Imperial College Condenser Bank’.
Ms. narrative, tables, notes and calculations, in ink with extensive
corrections and emendations in pencil.
versions.
20 pp., many in multiple
Folder of notes ‘Pinched Discharges. New material to be added
to typescript’.
'Note on use of Imperial
Typed sections of paper on Imperial College Condenser Bank, all
with ms. corrections, etc., entitled:
College Condenser Bank', 3 pp., 5 March 1958.
Misc. bundles of notes:
‘Effect of axial magnetic field on Dynamic
Pinch’, 9 pp., ‘Notes on use of 1.C. Condenser Bank', 4 pp. dated
4.3.58, ‘Pinch in screw with solenoid', dated 3.3.58,
'I1.C. Bank
Numerical Data', ‘Contracting pinch', 4 pp., etc.
Misc. tables, 5 pp.
"Method of obtaining very high temperatures ...', 3 pp.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Misc. reports on the work, 1958.
Includes:
'Thermonuclear research in Great Britain', report by R. Latham
on meeting of London Physical Society at Imperial College,
17-18 September 1958, 20 pp. typescript.
Programme for first of monthly colloquia on plasma physics at
Imperial College, 24 October 1958.
"Report on linear pinch devices’ by R. Latham and J.A. Nation,
1 December 1958.
Draft of report prepared for CERN Study Group on Fusion, with
ms.
version published in Nuclear Instruments and Methods, 4, 1959.
corrections by the authors and by Blackett and a copy of the
Duplicated report of 4th meeting, CERN Study Group on Fusion
(R. Latham's report on the work at Imperial College is on
pp. 28-31).
August 1959.
Misc. comments and corrections on draft papers, by Blackett and
others.
C.277-C. 284
Working papers and notes on plasma physics
Folder labelled ‘Inductance with Hard Magnetic Core’.
These are presented in Blackett's named folders where these survive,
or with his headings.
work is often fragmentary.
Dates are rarely given on the mss. and the
Notes on ‘Shock Tube plasma’ by Blackett cand by H.J. Pain
(Imperial College).
Notes on Joule heating.
Photographs, calculations and misc. bundles of notes on the subject,
one bundle dated 7.8.58., and one an extended ‘Note on the
"Negative Skin Effect" and Alpon's "Inverse Skin Effect'', 7 pp.
+ 2 pp. figures of narrative and ideas for experiments.
Misc. bundies of notes, and graphs.
Folder labelled 'Skin Effect and Stability’.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
Ms. notes and calculations, entitled:
‘Bela )
3 pp;
‘Constant Current’, 4 pp.
"Stability of Cylindrical Point'
'Time Decay of Solenoidal Current in Torus’.
Ms. notes and drafts, entitled:
‘Controlled Fusion Reactions. Quebec, September 1958'.
1
Conference 'no solution in sight’.
p. ms. notes for lecture, including section on Geneva
Notes on ‘Variable length solenoid' dated 19.1.59.
‘Linear Argon Pinch.
Notes Easter 1959', 7 pp.
Folder labelled ‘Bombay lecture 1958.
My notes’.
Fragmentary notes and calculations, probably for C.271.
Folder labelled 'H.T. Physics.
Summer 1958.
My notes’.
Photographs, fragmentary notes and calculations.
Folder of offprints, articles, press-cuttings, etc. used as research
material, some annotated by Blackett.
Includes illustrations for article on ‘Experiments on the Growth
Rate of Surface Instabilities in a Linear Pinched Discharge’
by a member of the Imperial College team.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section C - Magnetism
C.286-C. 289
Miscellaneous research notes
C.286
Folder labelled ‘Electrostatic charges’.
2 pp. ms. notes on ‘Decay Time of Electrostatic charges', with
note on the electrification of nylon, by P.S.H. Henry, dated
26.4.55. to accompany offprints on the subject.
Pages 15-18 of a talk on the conservation of parity, typescript
with ms. corrections.
Notes and calculations by Blackett and another (probably G. Haigh).
Folder labelled 'Shock waves’.
Ms. notes and calculations, some dated 1961.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
SECTION D
SECOND WORLD WAR AND GOVERNMENT COMMITTEES D.1 - D.218
This designation subsumes Blackett's activities on various defence projects and
as a member of government committees before the outbreak of war in 1939, and his
continuing service in similar capacities after its conclusion, as well as 'war work" in
the stricter sense.
As has been pointed out (Lovell, Memoir, pp.50-69), Blackett conducted
research for and contributed to the work of all three Services, in addition to his
development of ‘Operational Research' as a non-specific technique of investigation.
The folders below attempt to present the material under headings related to committees,
projects or areas of activity, within a roughly chronological order, though the rapidity
of Blackett's movements sometimes makes this unattainable.
‘Operational Research’
has been treated as a separate section (D.83 - D.125) because of its continuing value
as an investigative method on which Blackett lectured and conducted correspondence
for many years.
As with the working papers in Sections B and C, correspondence, lectures or
talks which accompanied the research notes have been left in place.
as survive of Blackett's work during this period, and do not claim to be a complete
record.
Nothing remains, for example, of his wartime correspondence other than that
It should be noted that the folders listed below describe only such documents
for 1942 (D.126 - D.147) and the letters interfiled with the working papers.
Further-
for writings or lectures, or in response to outside enquiries.
The original order of the
was increasingly shown in
it, Blackett re-worked the material on several occasions
papers was therefore considerably disturbed and some material is likely to have been
more, because of the national importance of the work, and the public interest which
removed and not always returned.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
The material is presented as follows, each sub-section being preceded by an
introductory note:
D.1
-
D.10
Correspondence and papers
Miscellaneous projects in preparation
1936-40
for war
Photo-electric and proximity fuzes
Working papers, correspondence, reports,
1937-42
Committee papers
The Mark XIV Bombsight
Reports, committee papers, correspondence
1940-45, 1973
Bombing policy
Working papers, drafts, reports, corres-
1941-46, 1962
pondence
Convoys and Anti U-boat Campaign
Reports, correspondence
1942-43, 1959
correspondence
future weapons
Energy (ACAE)
1946-52
1940-74
1942 only
June 1945
161
.183
-126
. 148
. 184
. 209
.147
Correspondence
Miscellaneous wartime papers
.160
Chiefs of Staff Subcommittee on
Joint Technical Warfare Committee
Operational Research
Working papers, drafts, reports, lectures,
1947-52
Oct. 1945-April 1947,
1959; 1964, 1972
D.216
R.A.F. Aircraft Research Committee
Guided Weapons Advisory Committee
.205
Advisory Committee on Atomic
-206
D.208
Harwell Power Committee
May-Oct. 1946
Aug. 1945-April 1949
(successor to the above)
12177. D218
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.1-D.10
CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS 1936-40
These consist of reports by Blackett and others, and of correspondence, mainly
related to various projects in preparation for war, such as the use of bombers, the
detection of aircraft and submarines, the proximity fuze, the organisation of coastal
radar stations, and the like.
D.1-D.4
2 papers by Blackett on air defence, 1936
D.1
D.2
D.3
"Note' on air defence, offence and propaganda, dated 18 July
1936, 3 pp. typescript with ms. annotations.
‘A note on the defensive use of bombers', dated 16.12.36,
4 pp. typescript.
Copy of letter of comment on above from R. Saundley to A.P. Rowe,
12.3.1937.
D.4
Letter of comment on D.1. from H.T. Tizard, November 1939.
D.5
Misc. correspondence re preparation for wartime
activities.
1938-39
Enclosed
March 1939
Correspondence with Air Marshal
Sir Victor Goddard.
Letter from A.E. Woodward-Nutt on German ‘gliding
bombs’.
April 1939
2 letters from H.T. Tizard, November 1938, May 1939, on
various projects, especially Blackett's work on fuzes.
Letter from E.V. Appleton on 'pulse' and 'wave' methods
of radio location, and their exploration by the
Tizard Committee.
scoring by Blackett.
3 letters, April, July, August 1939, mainly on methods of
improving bombing accuracy in the event of war.
with the letter of 24 April is a memo. ‘Project of general
directions for the anti-Hitler propaganda in case of war by
means of leaflets’, no signature or date, with some marginal
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Correspondence, mainly with Sir John Cockcroft, on
personnel for teams for coastal defence radar chains. July-Sept. 1939
Blackett's letter of 19 September especially recommends
'A.C.B. Lovell, a very energetic and lively person ...
| think he would be a very good man for you and he very
much wants to come’.
"Note on an Economic Intelligence Service in Connection
with Air Warfare', prepared by Economics Research Section,
University of Manchester, and sent to Blackett with cover-
ing letter by John Jewkes.
Oct. 1939
Work on ‘Shock Tube’.
2 typescript descriptions of the project and its functioning,
3 pp. and 9 pp.
Includes misc. diagrams, calculations and working papers
which are in the hand of William Cochrane who worked
at various research establishments, mainly TRE Malvern
(Cochrane's own papers are deposited at the University of
Glasgow: CSAC Handlist no. 26/3/75).
2 reports by E.j. Williams.
n.d.
Lovell,
"Report on a method for measuring the speed of an aero-
plane’ (by gradient of electromotive force).
April 1940
"Report on detection of submerged submarines from air-
craft' (by electromotive force).
These reports were written from R.A.E. Farnborough.
(Memoir, p.56) states that ‘Blackett recruited E.J. Williams
from Aberystwyth to R.A.E. and worked with him for a time
on the magnetic field detection of submarines’.
pondents. )
(For further material on E.J. Williams, see the index of corres-
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.11-D.37_
WORK ON PHOTO-ELECTRIC AND PROXIMITY FUZES
1937-42
The material is presented as follows:
D.11-D.25
Reports, correspondence and working papers.
Aug. 1937-Aug. 1940
D.26-D.33
Committee of Imperial Defence.
Sub-committee on Air Defence Research,
Fuze Sub-committee
Committee papers and reports
Oct. 1937-May 1939
D.34-D.37
Ministry of Supply.
Advisory Council on Scientific Research and
Technical Development
Fuze Committee and Proximity Fuze Sub-
committee
March 1940-July 1942
D.11-D.25
Reports, correspondence and working papers
(Manchester) re feasibility, manufacture and testing of photo-electric and
proximity fuzes.
(See letters from H.T. Tizard in D.5 and D.12 about arrange-
ments for Blackett's work on these devices).
The material is presented chronologically as far as possible.
Blackett's very
The folders consist of exchanges with Government Committees and research
establishments (mainly R.A.E. Farnborough) and with Metropolitan-Vickers
bulky folders have been split into smaller units for ease of reference.
P.M.S. Blackett
63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Air Ministry note of ‘Professor Blackett's proposal for detonation
of anti-aircraft bombs ... by photo-electric means’ and of a
meeting to discuss it.
August and October 1937.
Letters from D.R. Pye and H.T. Tizard on photo-electric bomb
work at Farnborough and Metropolitan-Vickers, February-
April 1938.
Letters re photo-electric work at Farnborough, April 1938-
March 1939, from B. Lockspeiser.
Letters from D.R. Pye re manufacture of proximity fuzes at
Metropolitan-Vickers, March, September 1939.
'Time Fuzes for bombing the bombers', heavily
Includes papers:
annotated by Blackett, with 3 pp. ms. notes by him, 'Night
Attacks.
Time Fuze paper.
H.1T.1.' [Tizard] and 1
p. ms. comments on the
Misc. working papers and background data on effectiveness
“of photo-electric bomb, some annotated by Blackett, September
1939.
See also D.38-D.58, Mark XIV Bombsight.
Correspondence re design and manufacture of photo-electric
bomb by Metropolitan-Vickers, August 1939-January 1940,
mainly with George McKerrow, up to first ‘Progress Report’
on production of bombs, January 1940.
Minutes of meeting at Metropolitan-Vickers on photo-electric
bombs (November 1939) and correspondence with B. Lockspeiser,
February 1940, disagreeing with minutes and including
Blackett's draft 'Note on the use of a stabilised sight for use
with the P.E. Bomb', annotated and revised.
Halstead, 26.4.1940.
Extensive drafts and corrections for above paper with working
papers, diagrams, etc., and R.A.E. Instruction forms on
"Stabilized drift sight', January-February 1940.
Continuing correspondence, reports, etc. from Metropolitan-
Vickers, March 1940.
Memorandum of meeting on photo-electric fuze at Fort
P.M.S. Blackett
63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Continuing correspondence, reports, etc. from Metropolitan-
Vickers, June 1940.
Includes several copies of statement on
the history of the 500 Ib. bomb design by Metropolitan-
Vickers, and the 250 lb. bomb design by R.A.E.
10 June 1940).
(prepared
Continuing correspondence, reports, etc. from Metropolitan-
Vickers, July-August 1940.
electric fuze and its testing, prepared 10,
annotated by Blackett, and Report on 'Ground Proximity Fuzes'
by McKerrow and Sillars.
Includes reports on the photo-
17, 30 June and
Correspondence with A.D. Crow re criticism of Metropolitan-
Vickers implied in minutes of Ministry of Supply Proximity
Fuze Committee and disputed by Blackett, July 1940.
Correspondence re meetings on proximity fuzes, 4, 22, 24
August 1940.
Work on the fuzes was continued by E.M.1.
-Misc. diagrams, etc. related to the project.
n.d.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.26-D.33
Committee of Imperial Defence.
Sub-committee on Air Defence Research.
Fuze Sub-committee.
The Fuze Sub-committee was set up 'to explore the possibility of new
methods of fuze design and to make arrangements for the necessary investigations
to be carried out at Government Research establishments or elsewhere’.
Chairman was A.C.G. Egerton, and the members were: P.M.S. Blackett,
C.S. Wright, G.O. Boase, D.R. Pye, J. Oliphant.
were W. Elliot and D.M. Newitt.
The Joint Secretaries
The
Committee papers, reports, agenda and minutes of the above, presented
in numerical order, with dates.
D.26
A.D.R.(F) 23
This is a paper by Blackett 'Some remarks on the
accuracy of anti-aircraft fire’, 4 pp., October
1937, with his later ms. comments and amendments.
.D.R.(F) 24
December 1937
.D.R.(F) 26
Comments by staff of Royal Aircraft
October 1937.
Establishment, Farnborough, on Blackett's paper
A.D.R.(F) 23 above, with many ms. notes, comments
and calculations by him.
-R.(F) 34
-R.(F) 36
-R.(F) 33
November 1937
sR.it) oe
November 1937
.R.(F) 38
January 1938
oR.(F) 37
January 1938
December 1937.
Interim Report.
This is a reply from Blackett to
December 1937.
an enquiry by the Chairman, with later ms. annotations
'This is certainly not true! PMSB'.
December 1938
e
S
e
e
P
.R.(F) 39
February 1938
-R.(F) 42
July 1938
-R.(F) 43
July 1938
2
~R.(F) 45
-R.(F) 41
July 1938
.R.(F) 40
March 1938
.R.(F) 44
October 1938
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
A.D.R.(F) 46
January 1939.
estimates of anti-aircraft fire.
Discusses and accepts Blackett's
A.D.R.(F) 47
May 1939 (Secretary's note only).
C.574
Committee papers and Sub-committee Memorandum
for main Committee, December 1939, heavily
corrected by Blackett.
Report on ‘Progress made to March
May 1939.
1939 on the recommendations of the Interim
Report of the Fuze Sub-committee’.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.34-D.37
Ministry of Supply.
and Technical Development.
Advisory Council on Scientific Research
Fuze Committee, and Proximity Fuze Sub-committee.
Chairman: Major-General E.M.C. Clarke, Secretary: S.A. Wood.
Committee papers and reports, agendas and minutes of both the
above.
Committee and incorporates minutes, etc. of the Proximity Fuze
Sub-committee which were submitted to the main Committee.
The sequence covers meetings and activities of the Fuze
Committee papers for meetings on 6 March, 24 April, 17 May,
3 July, 14 August 1940.
Papers re Conference on Anti-Aircraft Gunnery, held 9 August
1940, with lists of participants and of papers to be presented, some
annotated by Blackett.
Brief correspondence with E.T. Paris re Blackett's resignation
from Fuze Committee because ‘| am so busy with Admiralty matters
now that | will not have time to attend very often, and further
| am not now very closely associated personally with Fuze matters’,
February 1942.
Numbered
Fuze Committee papers, December 1941-January 1942.
FZE/41-43, 47-64.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.38-D.58
THE MARK XIV BOMBSIGHT 1940-45, 1973
This refers to the Mark XIV continuously set vector bombsight, sometimes
referred to as the ‘Blackett sight'.
It was developed at R.A.E. Farnborough, from
an idea of Blackett, during his connection with the Establishment for the work on
fuzes, and subsequently further developed and tested there and at other Establish-
ments.
Folders D.17, D.18 above contain the early drafts, working papers and
graphs of test performances of the sight, which Blackett himself referred to as a
‘stabilised sight' but which is called ‘Blackett sight’ on the R.A.E. documents
in those folders.
Folders D.38-D.50 below consist mainly of official reports and papers,
typescript or stencilled, on the testing, development and use of the Mark XIV
sight in British and US aircraft, and on German devices.
The material is presented
chronologically and is itemised in some detail in view of the statement by Lovell,
Memoir, p.55, that 'the relevant R.A.E. files have been destroyed’.
Folders D.51-D.57 contain miscellaneous committee papers and reports,
February 1941.
campaign, as well as of bombsight design.
They run from December 1939-
Blackett himself clearly felt that the work had had some importance, since
many annotated by Blackett, on various aspects of bombing tactics and the U-boat
he wished to include some account of it in a proposed autobiography in 1973 (see D.58).
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.38-D.50
Reports and papers on Mark XIV Bombsight
D.38
Report on Blackett Sight after trials in Wellington bomber from
Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe
Down, 21 October 1940.
Report on 'Wellington V Bombsighting', Boscombe Down,
December 1940.
Note on ‘Enemy Dive Bombsight' from R.A.E., April 1941.
Trials of Mark XIV Bombsight.
7 July 1941.
Report no.1, Boscombe Down,
Trials of Mark XIV Bombsight.
Boscombe Down, 19 July 1941.
Report no.2.
Night Trials,
Report on ‘Introduction of the Mark XIV Bombsight to the United
States'.
F.H. Scrimshaw, October 1941.
n.d., but deals with visits by N.H. Fresson and
Paper 'Tests on Bombsight T.1' (American version of Mark XIV),
October 1942.
Paper 'Sideslip in straight flight', R.A.E., December 1942.
Paper ‘Mark XIV sight for A/S Canti-submarine) bombing from
about 1500 feet', 8 February 1943 (2 copies).
Paper 'Brief survey of bombsight and automatic pilot equipment
in American aircraft consigned to the United Kingdom', May 1942.
Paper ‘Aiming Allowances for Beam Attack of Ships with Armour
Piercing Bombs using a Mark XIV Bombsight', 2 April 1944.
Paper ‘Pattern Bombing when Target Markers are used', 6/6/44.
11 March 1945.
Paper 'The Calculation of the Chance of an Effective Attack in
Individual and Formation Bombing’, 10 pp., n.d. (probably prepared
for Blackett's work on Operational Research, but kept with above).
Papers on Mark XIV Bombsight, bombing range results, maintenance
and recommendations, prepared by Coastal Command and dated
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.51-D.57
Committee papers and reports on various aspects of bombing tactics,
U-boat campaign, bombsight design, etc.
1939-41
D.51
22nd meeting, Bombing Committee, Air Ministry
21 December 1939
D.52
D.53
D.54
Conference on Bombsight Design, R.A.E.
22 December 1939
R.A.E. Report on testing of Mark XI
bombsight
July 1940
13th meeting, Anti-Aircraft and Coast Defence
Committee
(Blackett's name is here identified as 'A.A. Command’)
22 August 1940
24th meeting, Bombing Committee, Air Ministry
28 August 1940
Meeting at War Office (note only)
12 September 1940
17th meeting, Anti-Aircraft & Coast Defence Cttee.
24 September 1940
19th meeting,
:
a
ee
:
.
7 October 1940
Blackett)
January 1940
20th meeting,
)
8 November 1940
Reorganisation of A.A. Command
9 November 1940
7 January 1940
Note on radio beams in defence (p.2 only)
31 December 1940
Meeting on training, A.A. Command
Note on improvements in night illumination
Memo, on interception of bombers (annotated by
17 February 1941
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.58
Folder inscribed ‘Mark XIV Bombsight'
This contains drafts and material for an account of the work on the Mark XIV
to be included in an autobiography which Blackett was contemplating in 1973.
Includes:
3 pp.ms. draft 'The Genesis of the Mk 14 Bombsight';
p.3 only of ms. narrative beginning ‘Before | entered into
the field of bombsighting |
| did all
of the RAF owing to my general objection to bombing of cities
as well as other strong military targets’;
| could to improve the accuracy of the bombsights
had many moral scruples, before
4 pp. very heavily corrected typescript draft 'The Mk. XIV
bomb sight';
3 pp.ms. and typescript draft, with same title;
photocopy of pp.37-39 of Webster and Frankland, The Bombing
Offensive, Vol.1V, annotated by Blackett;
Later he says:
‘| am only interested in what we
'! am writing
correspondence 1969 and 1973 with Director, National Maritime
Museum.
In his letter of 1 November 1973 Blackett explains:
up a good deal about my activities during the war, particularly
certain parts of operational research and | felt | would like to
mention the Mk 14 Bomb Sight as this was conceived and designed
by a young colleague of mine at Birkbeck College and was a
great success'.
did in 1943 ...' but this would appear to be a slip of the pen.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.59-D.78
PAPERS ON BOMBING POLICY 1941-46, 1962
These include the period of the confrontation on bombing policy involving
Tizard, Blackett and Cherwell (see Lovell, Memoir, pp.64-65) and also material
preceding and following it.
Blackett worked over these papers on more than
one occasion after the events;
in particular he made considerable efforts in 1962
to locate certain missing reports (see D.76-D.78 for correspondence on this
subject), but it
is clear that the remaining material is still incomplete.
See under Tizard in the Index of correspondents for other material on these
matters.
D.59
Offprint of Operational Research.
1940-45 (R.S.65) with ms. note ‘see pps. 100 and 101" in which
bombing policy is discussed.
Recollections of Problems studied
_
lp. ms. note by Blackett dated 26/9/42 with a
originally in his possession on the subject.
B (D.63) and E (D.66) survive.
list of documents
Only papers A (D.65),
1
p. note of a meetingon bombing policy, unsigned.
16.2.42.
'Note on the use of the bomber forces', n.d. signed PMSB,
3 pp.
'B' of D.60 above.
This is
Memo. on effect of bombing on civilian morale in Germany, 9 pp.,
unsigned, 15 August 1941 (perhaps prepared by Tizard).
"Note on the use of the bomber force’ by Admiral J.H. Godfrey
(Director, Naval Inteliigence) on which Blackett was asked to
prepare a paper.
These are 'E' of D.60.
2 copies of ‘Estimation of bombing effect’ (3 pp.) by Tizard,
sent to Cherwell 20 April 1942, and a copy of Cherwell's reply,
22 April 1942.
‘Effect of bombing policy’, Blackett's report on the effect of proposed
air offensive on Germany, circulated with above.
This is a photocopy of the original report which Blackett obtained
in 1962, and is Paper 'A' of D.60.
8.4.42.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.67-D.69
Ms. notes by Blackett for reports to committees.
D.67
D.68
D.69
D.70
1
p. on 'Enemy Air Raid Casualties’
¢. June 1943.
3 pp. on shipping losses, headed 'Most Secret’.
4 pp. on German air strength, dated 6 October 1942.
Official notes and reports on bombing policy and effects,
July-November 1942.
Includes:
note by Blackett, 10 November 1942;
extract from minutes of C.O.S. meeting on
estimated effect of Anglo-American bomber
offensive, 18 November 1942.
Copy of A.U. (43) 96, memo. dated 29 March 1943 by Marshal
A.T. Harris (Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Bomber Command)
strongly deprecating plan to divert air power from bombing Germany
to the anti U-boat campaign.
The memo. is annotated by
Blackett and accompanied by 2 pp. ms. notes amplifying his
comments and putting forward his own contrary view.
Misc. documents, tables and estimates on German air force strength
1939-43 (sent to Blackett June 1943) and on effect of Allied air
attacks.
Blackett's formal memo. in reply to Harris's paper could not be
traced when he enquired in 1962 (see D.76-D.78), but a copy had
been taken by S.W. Roskill and was passed on to Blackett by him.
The memo. ‘Bombing of U-Boat bases’, tentatively dated 30.3.43,
is included here and another copy remains in D.76.
1944.
Heavily corrected draft of paper submitted to Sir Stafford Cripps
(Minister of Aircraft Production), 7 pp., and a typescript copy,
dated 27 March 1944;
Letter to Cripps, 31 March 1944,
The paper begins: 'You asked me to let you have a note as to the
anxieties | expressed to you about the use of our Bomber Force in
connection with Overlord', and is sent from DNOR [E Director
of Naval Operational Research, the title of Blackett's post from
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
‘The effect of air power in a land offensive’, copy of paper by
Sir John Slessor (then C.-in-C. RAF Mediterranean and Middle
East), 3 pp., 18 June 1944.
Copy of 2nd draft of official report on ‘Bombing Policies and
Directifs 1939-45', 1946, with some marginal scorings by
Blackett.
D.76-D.78
Later correspondence on Bombing Policy, 1962
This arose in connection with various writings and lectures of
Blackett on operational research and its value in wartime problems.
Correspondence with S.W. Roskill re location of Blackett's
wartime reports.
of U-boat bases' (see D.71 above), a further copy of which is
included here.
Roskill was able to supply a copy of ‘Bombing
1962
Correspondence with Director, Operational Research
Admiralty on same subject.
copy of his paper 'Effect of bombing policy', see D.65
above.
Blackett's query produced a
Correspondence with other Government records offices on
subject.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.79-D.81
PAPERS ON CONVOY SIZE AND ANTI U-BOAT CAMPAIGN
1942-43, 1959
These relate to the period of Blackett's attachment to the Admiralty as Chief
Adviser on Operational Research (C.A.O.R.) (January 1942-1944), later as
Director, Naval Operational Research (D.N.O.R.) (1944-45);
they are signed
either with his name or the initials of his office.
For further papers on Operational Research, see D.83-D.125.
Papers for a meeting on ‘Size of Convoys', 15 March 1943.
Includes Blackett's report: 'Progress of analysis of the value of
escort vessels and aircraft in the anti U-boat campaign’.
This report, dated 5 February 1943, has a prefatory page whose second
paragraph reads:
‘The paper has been submitted and discussed in detail
with Lord Cherwell during the various stages of its
preparation.
rests, however, with Professor Blackett. '
The responsibility for facts and figures
Blackett's Paper B, ‘What is to be done?' has ms. revisions by
Blackett and in another hand.
These photocopies were taken for Blackett at his request from
the Department of Operational Research, Admiralty, in 1959.
Photocopies of reports on convoys, air escorts and the U-boat
campaign, compiled for Blackett as C.A.O.R. 1942, 1943;
several bear the signature of E.J. Williams.
See also D.109, D.115.
Correspondence with Director, Operational Research, re above,
May-October 1959, in connection with an article by C. Hitch
of the Rand Corporation, disputing the efficacy of British Naval
Operational Research.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
MISCELLANEOUS WARTIME PAPERS
2 papers,
c. 1943;
‘The Government and the war', typescript, 7 pp.
‘Combined operations and a Great General Staff',
typescript, 2 pp.
Both these papers contain criticism of Churchill as Prime
Minister, and are dated only on internal evidence.
are unsigned and may not be by Blackett.
They
"Extracts from a letter from Professor Egerton’ i
typescript, 2 pp., n.d.
On research projects on fuzes, short rocket projectiles,
magnetic detectors, currently in progress in USA.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.83-D.225
OPERATIONAL RESEARCH (O.R.)
1940-74
Blackett became known as the ‘virtual founder’ of O.R. studies in Britain
(though he makes clear in R.S.65 and elsewhere that this was not the literal
truth) because of the great impetus given to the subject by the outbreak of war
and the many new weapons, techniques and devices then rapidly being intro-
duced.
His early studies of radar for A.A. Command (D.83) led to the
development of an O.R. unit for Coastal Command, and then to his appoint-
ment as C.A.O.R. and D.N.O.R. at the Admiralty, where he worked especially
on convoys and the anti U-boat campaign (see D.78-D.81 above, and D.84).
Blackett lectured extensively on the subject to Service personnel through-
out the Second World War.
After the War, he continued to lecture, though
less frequently, and also wrote up some of his material for general publication.
He returned to the subject on several occasions, notably in 1961 (see D.109)
D.83
D.96
-
-
D.113 -
and at the end of his life (see D.110).
on Operational Research.
D.97
D.112 Lectures and writings after the war
The material is presented as follows:
Papers, Reports, lectures during Second World War
See also J.54, J.60 for references to Blackett's service at the Admiralty
D.125 Correspondence on O.R. 1944-74
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.83-D.96
Papers, reports and lectures on O.R. during Second World War
D.83
‘Note on chance of hitting with G.L. Controlled fire’
(G.L. = Gun-laying radar).
3 pp. typescript dated 10 November 1940 with ms. ‘note’
added, 20 December 1940, amending some of the information.
This is one of the reports on ‘rounds per bird' prepared on the
effectiveness of radar in London's air defence, during Blackett's
service with A.A. Command as Scientific Adviser to General
Sir Frederick Pile.
See Lovell, Memoir, pp.56-58.
See also J.35 re Blackett's appointment.
‘Scientists at the Operational Level.
Notes on Statement to Admiralty Panel on 16.9.41. on the
function of an Operational Research Section (O.R.S.)'
These are based on the talk given to senior staff at the Admiralty,
in which Blackett explains how 'the scientist can encourage
numerical thinking on operational matters, and so can help to
avoid running the war by gusts of emotion’.
The talk and document led to Blackett's appointment as Chief
Adviser Operational Research with effect from 10 December 1941.
See also A. 16.
When the document was published by Blackett in 1962 (R.S.91)
(see D.101, D.102) Blackett gave the date as Decémber 1941.
Lovell, Memoir, p.60, n, corrects this to 31 October 1941, but
it will be seen that the date was in fact 16 September 1941.
things together’.
Included here is a letter agreeing to allow Blackett 'the full
services of Dr. Bullard as your Deputy’.
The letter is dated
23 April 1942 and stipulates that Bullard should continue certain
other work as 'we need somebody of Bullard's calibre to hold
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
‘A Method of Analysing Operations of War'.
7 pp. typescript with ms. note 'Ist draft.
an autograph note from 'H.T.T.' (Tizard) to whom it had been
sent for comment, and who recommended its circulation.
CC. ORS', with
This is an earlier and shorter version of D.86, which is the
paper as circulated.
‘A note on certain aspects of the methodology of operational
research’, May 1943.
Typescript, 13 pp.
‘Admiralty’, beginning:
notes to the attention of O.R.
3 copies, with a covering letter addressed
‘I would like to bring the attached
sections
(notes and drafts for the appendices may be found in D.94)
Published in 1948 as R.S. 92, see D.101, D.102.
Lecture on ‘Science and the U-boat War', D.N.O.R., May 1943.
17 pp. typescript, with additional maps and diagrams.
Misc. shorter ms. notes for lectures on same subject:
The reference is presumed
‘U/B Campaign. ADRDE', n.d., 3 pp.
"ORG. May 43.
Operational Research and the U/B campaign’
Included here is a Coastal Command report on Anti-submarine
measures, September 1941, kept by Blackett with the above.
‘Examples of Operational Analysis', n.d., 2 pp.
(includes notes on ‘Effect of White Camouflage’, introduced
by Blackett for Coastal Command Aircraft).
of 1943, and is therefore tentatively dated then.
Ms. draft, n.d., beginning: 'In a former paper | have attempted
to outline some methods ... for analysing the complex material
provided by real operations of war'.
to be to D.86 and the present paper on ‘large changes' gives
examples drawn from the U-Boat war and air attack to the end
‘Theory of Large Changes’.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
‘Operational Analysis;
its relation to Intelligence and Plans’.
7 pp. ms., heavily revised, with a note ‘Talk given to Combined
Intelligence Sub-Committee, Washington, 13.12.43'.
See also J.22.
‘Some notes on the relationship between the sciences’.
Includes:
17 pp. autograph manuscript, extensively revised;
7 pp. typescript version, with ms. note 'Date uncertain.
Possibly 1943/44 derivation from Ops. Res. papers’;
3 pp.
ms. plan for the papery
Blackett's notes on papers and books by others;
Letter of comment on the paper signed 'G', with ms.
note by Blackett ' Writer unidentified.
when | was in Washington in winter of 1943' (see D.90);
Probably
Ms. notes for lectures.
"May 1 1944.
ms. 1
p.
Ip.
Ms. note for lectures.
Wisce; 1652545"; ms, 1B.
"RAF Staff College 17.11.44'., ms.
'T.R.E. Operational Research March 1943',
ms..
5 pp.
RAF Staff College’ and 'August 7 1944 ditto’,
Letter from 'Henry' CH.R. Hulme] sent from Bletchley,
February 1942, discussing a paper by Blackett and other
matters.
Includes Appendices to D.86.
Misc. examples of estimates and calculations illustrating O.R.
techniques, used by Blackett for official wartime lectures and papers.
"RAF Staff College. 23.4.45', ms. 7 pp. with note at head
‘LWent rather flat!
next time should be more controversial!]'
'R.N. Staff College.
n.d. but probably 1945.
"Notes for lecture', ms. 2 pp.
n.d. but probably 1945.
The Navy of the Future',
ms. 2pp.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Background material and information obtained by Blackett re
various wartime operations, mainly 1942, 1944.
Brief notes and quotations on military affairs, collected by
Blackett and illustrating his impatience with official attitudes.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.97-D.112
Lectures and writings on Operational Research 1945-73
These folders contain Blackett's lectures and
papers on the history
pap
and
¥
application of O.R., given after the Second World War.
Many are relatively
short, but some were published as contributions to the history of the subject,
and some were deliberately controversial when Blackett felt that scientific
methods, wrongly applied, were endangering peace (see especially D.109).
The material is chronologically presented; all papers are autograph manu-
script unless otherwise stated.
D.110 - D.112 include offprints and printed
matter used as background material, often with Blackett's annotations and
underscorings.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
‘Technique of Operational Research’.
Lecture first given to ‘Marshall Society’ and Cambridge Branch,
Association of Scientific Workers, 16.11.45.
Heavily revised and amended ms. of lecture, with note of later
deliveries at Manchester University 1947, and Liverpool 1949.
‘The Relationship between the Scientist and the Administrator’.
London School of Economics, 1 March 1946.
'The Scientist and the Administrator’.
on address at London School of Economics 1.3.46.'
n.d., with note 'Based
Ms. notes for lectures.
‘Eaton 10.5.46.'
1
p. notes only.
‘Ops. Research B.T.L.
1
p. notes only.
1946 October Ist, N.Y.'
D.101, D.102
Notes, drafts and background material.
R.S.91, 92.
"Notes.
1
p. notes only.
M.1.T. Discussion January 1948'.
"Science and War.
Manchester Museum. 2.11.46.'
‘Operational Research' (Advmt. Sci. Br. Ass., 5, 1948)
Draft ms. including heavily-revised copies of D.84 and D.86
and an offprint of the published version.
published in Nature, Lond., 161).
‘What is operational research?' (typescript of letter
‘A note on the organisation of "Applied Science" with
particular reference to the livestock industry’.
n.d.
2 papers by C.H. Waddington.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
‘Operational Research’.
1949-50
Blackett's contribution to the first issue of Operational Research
Quarterly, 1, no.1, March 1950.
Typescript and offprint of published article.
Includes correspondence with Chairman of Manchester Joint
Research Council re meetings on O.R. held September-
December 1949.
joint discussion at final meeting.
Blackett presided at first meeting and led
R.$:93:
‘Operational Research’.
Transcript of informal talk, including discussion following
lecture, given to a Royal Statistical Society Group.
n.d. or place.
Typescript with ms. corrections.
‘Liverpool.
1.3.49."
1
p. notes only.
‘Operational Research.
Wolverhampton. 9.7.51.!
R.S$.65.
Includes:
"Operational Research.
Brassey's Annual, 1953.
Recollections of problems studied, 1940-45".
invitation to write article, and correspondence with
editor, Adm. H.G. Thursfield, December 1951-September 1953;
Offprint of review by Blackett of ‘Methods of Operations Research'
by P.M. Morse and G.E. Kimball, Physics Today, November 1951.
offprint of Blackett's article as published.
letter from L.G. Bayliss with comments on Blackett's
article and a copy of Bayliss's paper ‘The origins of
operational research in the army, October 1945',
August 1953;
correspondence re security clearance for material in
article, 1953;
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
"Operational Research.
Sydney.
1953'.
1p. ms. notes.
"Operational Research.
to Institute of Physics, 17 March 1953'.
Typescript with ms. corrections anda ms. note ‘Sydney’.
Notes of a lecture given by P.M.S.B.
Ms. notes for lectures.
‘Operational Research.
1
p. notes only.
Leicester. November 1953'.
‘Chatham House.
June 1954'.
6 pp.
'R. Statistical Society.
1
p. notes only.
Birmingham. November 1954'.
Notes for lectures given in India.
"Operational Research'
Journal, October 1955).
(Offprint from Defence Science
Delhi.
December 1956’.
n.d.
‘Calcutta’.
‘Operational Research.
2 pp.
1p. notes only.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
‘Operational Research and nuclear weapons’.
Lecture given to Royal United Services Institution (R.U.S.1.),
22 March 1961, and published in the Journal of the Institution,
Encounter and Studies of War.
ReSs 97.
In this paper Blackett reviewed the achievements of O.R.
in the war, and commented unfavourably on the writings of
the Rand Corporation EUSA O.R. studies, and in particular
the article by C. Hitch criticising British Naval O.R. (see
D.81, Dz) 15).
Folder includes 17 pp. typescript of introduction to lecture
as delivered, and correspondence, February-May, with
colleagues, all commending Blackett's wartime work and the
stand he took in the lecture/publications above, and deploring
some of the current trends in American scientific and defence
thinking.
D. Gabor
S. Zuckerman
J.R. Newman
C.P. Snow
B.H. Liddell Hart
Correspondence (in chronological order):
Some of the letters contain detailed comments on Blackett's
paper, and carry Blackett's annotations, underscorings, etc.
D.W. Waters (on early maritime ‘operational research’)
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Misc. notes and background material, mainly re-workings by
Blackett of earlier accounts of his wartime activities and of
Studies of War, perhaps for autobiographical work.
1
p. ms. plan for an account of Blackett's con-
Includes a
tributions to O.R., listing his principal activities and
wrifings.
n.d. but
c. 1973.
Articles, press-cuttings, etc. on operational research, some
annotated by Blackett.
Misc. offprints, some signed and annotated, of some of Blackett's
publications on O.R. and defence.
Includes a typescript bibliography, prepared by Blackett, of
his publicationson O.R., defence, disarmament and related
topics.
This covers only 1948-63, and omits many lectures
and reports.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.113-D.125
Correspondence on Operational Research 1944-74
The material is presented chronologically.
A brief indication is given of any material of particular personal
or historical interest, and all correspondents are listed in the
general index.
(unidentified), on Blackett's convoy-size paper.
C.H.O'D. Alexander
E.C. Baughan
W.J. Slim (invitation to lecture)
W. Kaempffert
H.R. Hulme (comments on papers by Blackett)
C. Gordon
From P. Rosbaud (effect of Allied bombing policy on
Germany).
After correspondence with Blackett, a reply to Hitch's
article was prepared by Sidney Dell, and a rejoinder by
Hitch (copies of both are included) but neither was published.
Correspondence with Charles Hitch and Sidney Dell
re an article by Hitch, published in Review of Economics
and Statistics, XL, August 1958, criticising British
Naval O.R. during the Second World War.
papers on convoy size (D.81) and to refer to the matter in
his R.U.S.1. lecture (D.109) and subsequently in Studies of
War (H.93-H.95).
J.B. O'Connell (request for article for Think Magazine).
This episode led Blackett to obtain copies of the wartime
J. Connell (2 letters)
Earl Halsbury (conferral on Blackett of Hon. Life Member-
ship of Operational Research Society, as 'the
virtual founder of Operational Research’).
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
M. Hales (history of O.R.)
.
N. Falconer (history of O.R.)
see also D.120
A.N. Frankland (history of O.R.)
C.H. Waddington (history of O.R.)
(and one letter 1957)
S.J. Morrison (history of O.R.)
1971
1972
1972
1972
1973
Correspondence with N. Falconer. 1973-74
1973-74
Includes several drafts of Falconer's paper 'On the
size of convoys', with many ms. comments by
Blackett, and on subsequent developments of O.R.
Correspondence with D.J. White on similar project.
Correspondence with |. Evans
re Evans's unpublished article 'The Beginnings of
Operational Research', a photocopy of which (20 pp.
typescript) is included.
Evans had been a member of Blackett's A.A. Command
Research Group in 1940, and in his letter to Blackett
of 22 January 1974 he discusses his article, and other
writings on Army Operational Research Croup.
See D.123 below.
After correspondence arising from the
Compiler's note:
information in D.122, Dr. Evans very kindly made available
a photocopy of a report written by him and N.F. Mott in
June 1941.
The document 'Report on Analysis of Balloon Calibrations
C.G. Storey
1
with Mark |/EF on Matted Sites’,
with 4 figures attached dated 6.6.41.
letter of February 1978:
A.O.R.G. was formed as the linear descendant of Blackett's
Group, it was designated A.O.R.G. Report no.1'
Evans's own papers, including the original of the above
Because of its historical interest the document is included
is
p. typescript dated 1.6.41.,
Dr. Evans writes ina
‘It has historical interest in that when
Not used.
J.W. Abrams (history of O.R.)
here as a separate item.
document, are deposited at the Imperial War Museum.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.126-D.147 CORRESPONDENCE
1942 ONLY
Of Blackett's extensive and varied wartime correspondence, only that for
1942 survives, though some exchanges remain with the working papers.
The correspondence below is presented alphabetically, with a brief indication
of content of particular interest.
All correspondents are listed in the general index.
Incomplete though the record is, the range of Blackett's activities at this
period is well shown, and includes his official service engagements, his concern
to keep in touch with his department at Manchester University and to plan its
future (D.144-D.147), and his personal assistance to various colleagues and
acquaintances.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
American Embassy
(sub-marine warfare)
G. Barnes
G. Baron, also J.M. Nuttall, J.S.B. Stopford
(on a reported ‘televisor' invention)
E.C. Baughan
Brabazon of Tara (Maud Committee)
W.L. Bragg
(Blackett's original only)
A.F. Capon
(submarine warfare)
J. Chadwick (appointments)
J.D. Cockcroft
(includes Blackett's letter nominating Cockcroft
for Nobel Prize)
-. Combe
(Blackett's carbon only)
C. Connolly
G.E. Creasy
H.M. Garner
(depth charges)
J.H. Godfrey
Sir Fred Edward-Collins
W.M. Evans
J.G. Crowther
H.C.T. Dowding
Sir Bruce Fraser
(submarine detection)
J:M. Ford
(Blackett's carbon only)
(includes copies of Blackett's letters to
’ M.H.A. Newman about his appointment to Bletchley)
(various exchanges of letters)
J.B.S. Haldane (also J.M. Nuttall)
Lord Hankey
(bombing policy)
S. Haynes
A.V. Hill
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
L.J. Jones
Sir Philip Joubert
(submarine warfare and bombing policy)
(Blackett's carbon only)
H.L. Lang
B. Lockspeiser
(depth charges)
C.E.H. Medhurst
A.C. Menzies
(discrepancy of A.A. claims of aircraft shot down)
D.M. Newitt
(reported invention)
J. Passant
Sir Frederick Pile (addressed to 'Dear Magician’)
E.D.P. Pinks
(reported invention)
S.H. Piper
J. Plesch
E.F. Relf
W.J. Richards
(Blackett's carbon only)
W. Saraga
H. Hamshaw Thomas
R.E. Stradling
M. Surdin
C.K. Shaw
(reported invention)
A.P. Rowe
(various exchanges of letters)
Sir Malcolm Robertson
(appointment)
(on Bernal's report on effect of air raids,
(on Bernal's report on effects of air raids)
described as 'completely unreliable and misleading’)
W. Wynter-Morgan (Blackett's carbon only)
H.T. Tizard
(various exchanges of letters)
F. Twyman
J.G. Wilson
F.W. Winterbotham
P.M S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Misc. shorter correspondence, re appointments, employment of
foreign scientists, or shorter personal matters.
Not itemised or indexed.
D.144-D.147
Manchester University, 1942
Correspondence on research, appointments, post-war organisation,
etc.
The correspondence, though limited, shows Blackett's
continuing concern to keep in touch with his department and
university despite the heavy claims of wartime activities.
Report on D.Sc. submission
H. Graham Cannon
(on course organisation)
W. Ehrenberg
H.J. Fleure
D.R. Hartree
L. Janossy
(and W. Rosenberg)
J.M. Nuttall
(Blackett's carbons only.
Nuttall was Blackett's
S. Tolansky
S.A. Trivedi
L.T. Winkler
deputy in Manchester during the war) -
E.J. Simon
(on post-war university organisation)
(also J.G. Crowther) on appointments, and
Tolansky's first publication on his Fabry-Perot interference
fringes
(also J.G. Crowther and M. Polanyi)
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.148-D.160 CHIEFS OF STAFF SUB-COMMITTEE ON FUTURE WEAPONS 1945
The Committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Tizard to report on
future technical developments in weapons of war.
Atomic weapons were excluded
from its terms of reference.
Members of the Committee were: J.D. Bernal, P.M.S. Blackett, C.D. Ellis
and G.P. Thomson.
The Committee reported in June 1945, and in October 1945
a revision was initiated by the Joint Technical Warfare Committee of the Chiefs of
Staff Committee ‘in the light of later knowledge about atomic energy' (see D.161-
D.183).
Items D.149-D.157 below contain reports, discussion papers and ideas con-
tributed by members of the Committee or by others on various specialised areas
relevant to the Committee's work.
Blackett retained and annotated copies of these
papers, and also prepared his own notes for the Committee's report (D.158-D. 160)
in which he marshalled and presented some of the material.
The papers are preceded (D. 148) by an undated draft by Blackett on a
Lord, Admiral Sir Dudley Pound.
Blackett's draft, though incomplete, shows his
similar topic, probably written in 1942, in response to a Note from the First Sea
interest in future weapons and the allocation of defence spending at a considerably
earlier date than the setting-up of the Sub-committee.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
2 pp. pencilled draft for the opening sections of a paper,
beginning:
‘After the war, a decision will have to be taken
by the Government as to the total fraction of the
national resources which are to be allocated to
the armed forces. '
The ms., which is undated and incomplete, accompanies
extracts from a Note prepared for Chiefs of Staff Committee,
15 November 1942, by First Sea Lord.
The note, initialled
'D.P.' (Sir Dudley Pound), refers to 'a number of scientific
and technical matters of vast proportions and great complexity’
and suggests:
'... the formation of an ad hoc scientific commission
to obtain an objective scientific analysis of this
policy and its affect (sic) on other operations.
|
suggest the commission should consist of Sir Henry
Tizard, Professor Bernal, Dr. L.B.C. Cunningham,
Sir Charles Darwin, Professor Blackett and that the
Prime Minister should be asked to allow Lord Cherwell
to preside over this body’.
This
Also included is an extract from Chief of Staffs Committee meeting
319, in which Pound put forward the suggestion and was answered
by Portal that 'he did not think that an examination of the problem
by a group of scientists would be of any advantage’.
document is dated 18 November 1943, but must refer to 1942.
Pound died in October 1943.
me
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.149-D.157
Blackett's folder labelled ‘Papers for Tizard Committee’, containing
reports and discussion papers sent to him by other members of the
committee, or by outside sources, and containing material which he
used in preparing his own 'Nofes for Tizard Report’ (D.158-D. 160).
These documents are all on poor quality wartime paper and
Note:
are in fragile condition.
Many still bear the security categories
applicable at the time they were written, and Blackett's notes and
underscorings.
‘Notes on Future Armament Policy.
Committee).
TWC' (Tizard Weapons
4 pp. typescript with ms. annotations by Blackett. Unsigned but
with note ‘Bernal’ by Blackett.
(Very fragile.)
‘Some thoughts on technical warfare in 15-20 years’ time’.
5 pp. typescript signed A.P. Rowe.
5 March 1945.
‘Future Naval weapons.
warfare’.
Their application and influence on naval
3 pp. typescript.
n.d. or signature.
Unsigned,
8 pp. typescript.
n.d.
‘Future of air warfare. Memorandum by Sir George Thompson (sic)'.
17 pp. typescript with ms. annotations by Blackett.
but with note 'Keystone', by Blackett.
‘Development of naval weapons, craft and devices in the next
10 to 15 years'.
p. Appendix typescript, dated 24 March 1945.
2 pp. typescript, signed G.E. Hughes, 17 April 1945, and with
ms. heading by Blackett ‘Tizard Committee paper’.
‘Communications and counter-communications'.
‘Future Potentialities of weapons of war’.
11 pp. + 1
v.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
p. typescript with ms. heading by Blackett ‘Strategy of Research
(The concluding and only surviving
1
and Development. C.D. Ellis'
page of a longer report.)
‘Towed charge as A/U weapon’.
3 pp. typescript by W.H. McCrea dated 7 March 1945 from
D.N.O.R. (Blackett's office).
D.158-D.160
Blackett's report to the Committee, based on the above
D.158
"Relation between technical and numerical superiority’.
3 pp. typescript with ms. corrections by Blackett, draft for
pp.3-4 of his 'Report' (see D.159 below).
"Notes for Tizard Report’.
2 copies, each 4 pp. typescript, one with ms. annotations by
Blackett and a note added ata later date 'PMSB?'
(Blackett
had presumably forgotten he had written this paper though his
authorship is confirmed by D.158 above.)
2 pp. ms. notes for above, headed ‘Notes for Tizard Report',
incorporating items from the material in D.149-D.157 above,
with a note of the relevant paper to be used or quoted.
P.M S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.161-D.183
JOINT TECHNICAL WARFARE COMMITTEE (TWC) 1945-1947
This was a Sub-committee of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, instructed
‘to proceed with the revision of Sir Henry Tizard's Ad Hoc Committee's report on
the future development of weapons of war in the light of later knowledge about
atomic energy which will be made available to them’.
The material consists mainly of Blackett's own notes, drafts and background
research for papers or for discussion at meetings.
It also includes similar documents
sent to him by colleagues or interested parties.
| Some correspondence, with
scientific, Service or government colleagues has been left in the folders, itemised
and indexed.
The official invitation to serve on the Committee 'to consider this important
topic' is dated 6 October 1945 (D.161), but Blackett had already assembled material
and drafted short papers on various relevant aspects, and continued to do so.
Items D.162-D.166 are papers and notes of this kind on the implications of atomic
reflections prompted by papers or discussions at these committees.
Problems of atomic (later nuclear) weapons became the principal subject of
concern, and on two occasions Blackett openly took a dissenting view from official
decisions on the manufacture of an atomic bomb by Britain, and on international
control of atomic weapons.
was formally set up.
Some of the later notes are headed 'TWC 46' and 'ACAE'
(Advisory Committee on Atomic Energy, see D.184-D.205) and represent Blackett's
warfare, brought together by Blackett August-September 1945 before the Committee
continued
which accompanies them, help to elucidate the dates of composition and circulation
are documented in the folders below.
The drafts and notes, and the correspondence
Energy.
An Immediate Policy for Great Britain', which was reproduced in M.M.
Gowing, Independence and Deterrence, London 1974, Vol.1, pp.194-206.
The minority papers which he wrote and circulated on both these occasions
D.167, D.168 refer to Blackett's memorandum of November 1945 ‘Atomic
of the papers, and the comments they evoked at the time.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.174-D.181 refer to the paper on international control of atomic energy,
which Blackett considered impractical and indeed undesirable in view of American
superiority in atomic weaponry at the time.
This paper was presented to the Prime
Minister (Mr. Attlee) and was subsequently circulated as a 'Gen 75' Committee
paper.
In particular, the correspondence in D.174 makes it clear that the paper
was submitted to the Prime Minister in November 1946, three months before it
appeared as a 'Gen 75' paper in February 1947 (see Gowing, op.cit., pp.115, 183).
See also J.3, correspondence with C.R. Attlee,and D.201, Blackett's
letter to Stafford Cripps, referring to another meeting he had had with the Prime
Minister to discuss atomic energy policy in February 1947.
For Blackett's later writings and lectures on the subject, see Section F,
g
|
Nuclear Weapons and Disarmament.
P.M S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Invitation from Sir Leslie Hollis to ‘participate’ in discussions
to revise the report of Tizard Committee on weapons of war,
6 October 1945.
Papers on ‘Questions of physical fact', re atomic bombs.
4pp. and5pp.
n.d.
"Implications of atomic power'.
8 pp. typescript with ms. note by Blackett 'DRAFT.
24.8.45'
and 'Secord' (Campbell Secord) presumably the author of this
paper.
See also D.208.
"Effect of the Atomic Bomb on warfare’.
p. Appendix typescript with ms. annotations, and a
7 pp. + 1
ms.addition to the Appendix, dated 4 September 1945, sent
from office of D.N.O.R.
‘Future of Atomic Energy’.
typescript, with ms. annotations by Blackett, dated
8 pp.
23 September 1945, not signed.
The copy was probably made
"Atomic Energy.
An immediate policy for Great Britain’.
‘Effect of atomic bomb on the defensive strength of the U.S.S.R.
in the next few years’.
2 pp. typescript, with ms. annotations, signature and date,
September 1945, all by Blackett, with 'Appendix 2' on ‘Number
of atomic bombs required to have a decisive effect in a major
war',
This is a copy of Blackett's Memorandum of November 1945, which
was reproduced in M. Gowing, Independence and Deterrence,
London 1974, Vol.1, pp.194-206.
in 1972, typescript 10 pp. with ms. notes and annotations by
Blackett and a ms. note ‘will appear in Gowing's book’.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
2 letters of comment on the draft of the above, one of them
beginning ‘| think the presentation of the matter of the paper
is unduly provocative and you are more likely to effect a
sale if you water it down'.
October 1945.
D.169-D.170
Misc. ms. notes and drafts by Blackett on atomic power.
c. 1945.
n.d.
D.169
D.170
3 pp. note ‘International Security Problem'
1
1
1
p. note on international control
p. misc. notes re Halban, 1.C.1., Montreal, etc.
p. misc. notes re Joliot, and European involvement in
atomic production
Misc. notes and queries by Blackett, some headed T.W.C. (46),
and A.C.A.E.
Misc. notes and drafts for papers, many fragmentary.
refer to problems of international control and may relate to
Blackett's later paper on the subject (D.174-D.181).
Some
Letter from Sir Philip Joubert requesting advice and comment
on his paper on a ‘counter to the atomic rocket' (the paper is
not included).
October 1945.
1
Undated note that 'Chadwick is to discuss further with Bush
[Dr. Vannevar Bush and Groves F Gen. L.R. Groves the
general principles on which proposedscientific. statement is
to be based’.
p. incomplete.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.174-D.181
Documents relating to Blackett's paper on policy on international
control of atomic energy.
1946-47
D.174
Correspondence with H.M. Government re paper.
Includes:
Blackett's copy of letter to Prime Minister
(C.R. Attlee) asking for interview, in which he
says '| have recently been in America ... and have
had an opportunity of very many conversations and
discussions.
Asaresult, | have rather definitely
changed my views about what can be hoped to be
achieved in relation to control'.
21 October 1946.
Blackett's copy of letter to P.M. 'I enclose the
note | promised you on the problem of formulating
a policy in the event of a breakdown of the Atomic
Energy Commission’.
11 November 1946.
Letter from Minister of Food returning memo. sent
‘in November of last year'.
16 April 1947.
‘This correspondence makes it clear that Blackett's memo. was
available in November 1946, 3 months before it appeared as a
"Gen 75' paper.
See also J.3, correspondence with C.R. Attlee and others.
D.176-D.181
Texts of the paper 'On the Formulation of British Policy in
regard to Atomic Energy’.
Correspondence with Air Marshal Tedder on same subject,
March 1947, with continuation of argument in later 6 pp.
addendum by Blackett.
Correspondence with N.F. Mott deprecating Blackett's views
against international control of atomic energy as ‘absolutely
disastrous'. | November 1946.
both in Blackett's hand.
D.176
Copy dated 11.11.46, in Blackett's hand, typescript 9 pp.
with 3 pp. Appendices and ms. corrections by Blackett and
another, and ms. heading 'Copy 3°.
Copy dated ‘February 1947' in Blackett's hand.
This is another
copy of above, with some different annotations and corrections.
A slightly different and shorter version, typescript 9 pp. with
1 Appendix only, dated ‘April 47' with a note ‘incomplete’
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Another version combining features of both D.176 and D.178,
typescript 6 pp. with Appendices ] and3.
n.d.
Another copy of D.179, with three Appendices (lacks p.1).
‘Memorandum of February 1947 by Professor P.M.S. Blackett’.
A copy, probably taken in 1972, with ms. annotations by
Blackett anda ms. note at the head 'not released in Gowing's
book’.
Later correspondence on atomic energy and Blackett's writings
from:
Richard Goold-Adams
Robert Neild
1959
1964
Correspondence with Margaret Gowing re her history of atomic
energy and Blackett's papers, etc. reproduced or referred to
therein.
1972.
Includes 2 pp. ms. notes and comments on the draft of the book.
In his letter of 22 May 1972, Blackett asks whether his paper
can be made available for publication, explaining that 'l am
considering the possibility of publishing a volume of my collective
papers, essays, lectures, etc.'
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.184-D.205 ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC ENERGY (ACAE)
August 1945-April 1949
This was the ‘Anderson Committee’, set up in August 1945
‘(a) to investigate the implications of the use of atomic energy and to advise
the Government what steps should be taken for its development in this country
for military or industrial purposes;
(b) to put forward proposals for the international treatment of this subject’
The folders also include material related to ACAE's Subcommittee on
Nuclear Physics established in December 1945 'to make recommendations regarding
research in nuclear physics in this country as a whole’.
ACAE was dissolved in January 1948, and the Subcommittee was reconstituted
as the Nuclear Physics Committee responsible to the Ministry of Supply.
Its
Chairman was Sir James Chadwick;
Blackett was Vice-Chairman.
See M. Gowing, Independence and Deterrence, 2 Vol., London 1974, passim.
as far as possible.
meetings, etc.
Because they reflect various aspects of an important historical
The material consists of correspondence, reports, Blackett's notes of
episode, they have been presented in some detail, and follow chronological order
All correspondents are listed in the general index.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Correspondence re Committee.
Letter of appointment to Committee, 17 August 1945
Letter re Committee from Philip Noel-Baker, August 1945
Letter dissolving Committee, from Prime Minister
(C.R. Attlee), 6 January 1948
Included here is Blackett's carbon of his letter to Stafford Cripps,
22 August 1945, commenting on the membership of the Committee
which had had its first meeting on the previous day.
Copy of memorandum to Sir James Chadwick by UK scientists
at Montreal, with their recommendations for any proposed UK
nuclear physics research establishment, and their views on the
composition of the Advisory Committee. August 1945.
Letter from Sir Francis Simon on costs of projects and plants
in US and UK, and notes by Blackett, September 1945.
Ms. notes by Blackett on ACAE papers, 1945.
Minute and letter by S. Zuckerman re effects of atomic bomb
explosions in Japan, 9 October 1945.
Paper by M. W. Perrin 'Implications arising from German interest
inT.A.',
15 October 1945.
4pp.+1]1 p.
Letter from J. Chadwick re visits to Russia, and his (duplicated)
note on work of Nuclear Physics Sub-committee.
Copy of further memo. to Chadwick from UK scientists protesting
against proposed organisation at Harwell (unsigned), December 1945.
Included here is a Ip. document, n.d. and unsigned, on ‘the
conditions that Montreal people are asking should be fuifilled
by the British atomic energy project’ Chefore 30 March 1946],
with ms. notes by Blackett.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Correspondence re Committee.
Letter re membership of Nuclear Physics Sub-committee,
December 1945.
Letter from E.C. Bullard re uranium 235 and 238, December 1945.
Lengthy (duplicated) letter from Simon to Akers re
status and functions of the Technical Committee, lack
of information from US, etc.
January 1946.
Ms. notes by Blackett of conversations re Harwell, etc.,
January 1946.
Letter from E.C. Bullard, January 1946.
Important letter from M.L. Oliphant re Technical and Anderson
Committees, commenting very unfavourably on progress to date,
its operation under the aegis of the Ministry of Supply (‘a colossal
mistake'), loss of personnel ‘through the policy of dalliance’,
and Blackett's presumed acquiescence or responsibility in view
of his Socialist policies.
Blackett has numbered sections of the letter, and his ms.
notes for a reply are attached, together with ms. ‘Notes on
conversation with J.D.C.' ESir John Cockcroft], January 1946.
with ms. notes by him.
Letter and memo. from Sir Charles Darwin on location and staffing
of nuclear physics establishments, especially re Cambridge,
February 1946.
Typed extract from the Report of the meeting in Moscow, 27
December 1945, of the Foreign Secretaries of UK, US, and USSR
to discuss 'The establishment by the United Nations of a
Commission for the control of Atomic Energy', sent to Blackett
February 1946;
Letter and notes on uranium prospecting from E.C. Bullard, March 1946.
Draft report of Nuclear Physics Sub-committee on ‘Nuclear
Physics Research:
sent to Blackett
for comment, February 1946.
University Programmes',
Copy (duplicated) of further letter from Simon to Akers re lack of
information, and relative costs of plutonium and a separation
plant.
February 1946.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
2 letters from Lord Cherwell, May 1946, re 'red tape’ obstructing
research projects, especially those of M.L. Oliphant.
Correspondence with M.L. Oliphant, May 1946, especially re
his project for cyclotron at Birmingham University and report
(September) on Synchrotron, and press-cutting.
Official notes between Cockcroft and Franks re details of
Harwell administration, May 1946.
Misc. agenda, etc. for meetings A.C.A.E.
Letter and memo. from G.P. Thomson, on the toroid, June 1946.
Blackett's carbons of 2 letters to Stafford Cripps.
Letter of 17 February 1947, in which Blackett mentions a
meeting with the Prime Minister a few days previously on
‘the general atomic energy policy' (see D.174-D.184, J.3),
membership of ACAE (Blackett had always wanted Tizard to
be a member), and Blackett's recent visit to India.
Letter of 11 March 1947 on 'the atomic energy set-up in
India’, Indian independence, etc.
Notice of meeting of Nuclear Physics Sub-committee at
Malvern, October 1947.
Letter from Roger Makins (now Lord Sherfield)
on the history
of the voting procedure in the Security Council of the United
Nations, April 1947.
Correspondence with M.W. Perrin, on the disparity between Perrin's
and Hinton's dates for any substantial contribution to national
power supplies from atomic energy, December 1947-January 1948.
dissolution of the A.C.A.E. (Anderson Committee).
Minutes of Nuclear Physics Committee, July 1948.
explains the new constitution, terms of reference, membership,
and specialist Panels of the Committee, consequent upon the
This
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
3 copies of 2 pp. statement on the atomic bomb, addressed
to the American people by ‘a group of the scientists who have
proposed and developed the atomic bomb’.
n.d. or signature,
but ms. note by Blackett ‘Peierls’.
Correspondence re return of Blackett's Atomic Energy Committee
papers to Ministry of Supply.
April 1949.
Includes lists of documents returned.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.206-D.208 HARWELL POWER COMMITTEE May-October 1946
This was set up by A.E.R.E. Harwell ‘to advise on the basic scientific
and technical problems involved in the utilization of atomic energy for
power purposes, and to advise on the necessary research programme’.
D.206
Invitation to serve, list of members, correspondence re first
meeting (chaired by Blackett), 28 May.
D.207
Correspondence re meeting of 2 July, and ms. notes of discussions.
Programme, list of visitors, etc. for Nuclear Physics Conference,
Harwell, 18-19 September 1947.
Papers prepared for Harwell Power Committee, on economic
and technical aspects of atomic power, by Campbell Secord
(Cabinet Office), with 2 letters from him enclosing earlier
drafts of papers, July 1946.
Untitled paper dated 3 September.
Appendices A, B, C,
D (page 1 (index) is missing).
11 pp. =
5 pp., with
‘A national energy policy', dated 17 October, 6 pp.
‘Atomic strategy and foreign policy’.
ms. annotations by Blackett.
See also D.163.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D = Second World War and Government Committees
D.209-D.216 RAF AIRCRAFT RESEARCH COMMITTEE
September 1946-October 1952
The Committee was established by the Aeronautical Research Council in
October 1946 ‘to study the basic problems of R.A.F. aircraft and their operation,
and to advise the Council on research needed to solve these problems’.
Blackett was Chairman of the Committee, which had official and independent
members.
The senior Secretary was J.L. Naylor.
The ARC also established a Sub-committee to handle similar problems of
Naval research (N.A.R.C.), of which Blackett was Chairman.
No papers remain
specifically related to this Sub-committee, though there are references to meetings,
overlapping interests, etc. in the correspondence in this section.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Preliminary correspondence and papers re setting up of Committee,
invitation to Blackett to serve as Chairman, membership of
Committee, etc. up to Ist meeting (28 January 1947).
A list of the proposed original membership is included here, as
are Blackett's notes of the meeting of A.R.C. on 29.10.46.
at which the Research Committee was set up.
Correspondence, in chronological order, September 1946-
January 1947:
S. Goldstein
H. Roxbee Cox
J.L. Nayler
H.R. Pitt
A.L. Hodgkin
H.M. Garner
O.H. Wansborough- Jones
Correspondence and papers, January-March 1947, with
secretaries and members, covering meetings on 28 January,
25 February, 4, 25 March, 22 April.
Correspondence and papers, April-December 1947, with
secretaries and members, covering meetings 17 June, 29 July,
21 October, 25 November.
Correspondence and papers, 1948.
B. Lockspeiser
With secretaries and members, covering meetings 24 February,
25 March, 25 May, 25 June, 27 July (cancelled), 21 September,
26 October, 15 December (postponed), and various changes in
the membership of the Committee.
considerably greater than M=1.'
Blackett's Chairman's letter of 5 July to the A.R.C. sets out the
Committee's ‘unanimous conclusion that an immediate start
should be made, as an urgent matter, on research aircraft to
fly at supersonic speeds, the aim being to reach a figure
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
Correspondence and papers, 1949.
Covering meetings 25 January, February, 22 March, May,
28 June, 22 July, 26 October, 29 November, and various visits
paid by Committee to research and manufacturing establishments,
and to various joint meetings.
Correspondence and papers, January-May 1950.
Blackett resigned from the RAF and the Naval Aircraft Research
Committees as from May 1950, his place being taken by
Professor A.A. (now Sir Arnold) Hall and Sir Melville Jones.
The correspondence deals with his resignation, and with meetings
of 25 January, 28 February, 28 March, and April.
Correspondence and papers, September-November 1951.
In September 1951, Blackett was asked if he could 'help them
out' by resuming the Chair of the
RAF ARC for seven months,
following the appointment of Professor A.A. Hall as Director
‘of R.A.E, Farnborough.
Blackett accepted despite protesting
that his ‘knowledge of aircraft problems, never very great, is
decidedly rusty’.
Correspondence and papers, February-October 1952.
Correspondence covering meetings 22 January, 26 February,
25 March (postponed), April, 24 June, 22 July, Septeriber.
Includes invitation (July) to become Independent Member of
Correspondence covering meetings 25 September, 23 October,
27 November.
Blackett was invited to continue as Chairman for a further year
(to April 1953) but continued only until October 1952.
Air Warfare Research Committee.
P.M.S. Blackett
CSAC 63/1/79
Section D - Second World War and Government Committees
D.217,D.218
GUIDED WEAPONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE February 1947-
December 1952
The Committee was set up by the Ministry of Supply ‘to advise on the
conduct of scientific and engineering work for guided weapons’.
D,217
Preliminary correspondence with B. Lockspeiser re proposed
Committee, and official letter of invitation to serve.
February-May 1947.
Correspondence with secretaries and officials re meetings, papers,
and return of secret Committee reports and papers, June 1947-
-December 1952.
Includes lists of documents held and returned by Blackett.