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Arthur A. Hoag Papers, 1918-1999.
MS.7
Creator:
Hoag, Arthur A., 1921-1999.
Title:
Arthur A. Hoag Papers
Inclusive Dates:
1918/1999
Quantity:
9 linear ft.
Abstract:
The papers contain the publications, research notes, administrative files and correspondence of Dr. Arthur Hoag, Director of Lowell Observatory from 1977 to 1986.
Identification:
MS.7
Language:
English
Repository:
Lowell Observatory
1400 West Mars Hill Road
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
(928) 714-7083
E-Mail: archives@lowell.edu
Biographical Note
Arthur A. Hoag was born January 28, 1921 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His interest in astronomy was kindled in high school and further encouraged by Charles Smiley at Brown University. He graduated from Brown in 1942 with a degree in physics. Immediately upon graduation, Hoag went to work at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, where he worked on various types of subsurface weapons. Following the end of World War II, Hoag spent a short stint as Smiley's assistant and then entered Harvard for graduate study. At Harvard, he was greatly influenced by Bart J. Bok, for whom he developed a life-long admiration. In 1950, Hoag moved to the US Naval Observatory (USNO) and worked under the tutelage of John S. Hall. He completed his dissertation research on scanning photometry of spiral galaxies at the US Naval Observatory and received his PhD from Harvard in 1952.
In 1977, Hoag succeeded his former mentor, John Hall, to become the fifth director of Lowell Observatory. He continued in this capacity until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure, Hoag gave considerable attention to improving Lowell's observational facilities and to safeguarding the institution's financial security. Another side of Hoag was his sense of humor. It was legendary, and at Lowell or wherever he worked, his booming deep laugh often resonated through the hallways. He died in Tucson on July 17, 1999.
Scope and Content
The collection is organized into five series:
I. Manuscripts, 1976-1990.
II. Working Papers, 1948-1999.
III. Non-Research Activities, 1918-1995.
IV. Other Professional Activities, 1966-1999.
V. Correspondence, 1959-1995.
The Arthur A. Hoag Papers contain research notes, administrative records, published papers and correspondence created primarily during Hoag's tenure as Director of Lowell Observatory. The Manuscripts series contains his published papers. Working Papers consist of administrative files about Lowell Observatory, astronomy and telescope notes, photographs and glass plates. Non-Research Activities include files on groups and programs such as the Arizona Humanities Council, Soroptomist International of Flagstaff and the Mars Hill Visual Arts Consortium. The Other Professional Activities series contains files on Hoag's involvement with NASA, the International Astronomical Union, the American Astronomical Society, the International Dark-Sky Association and the National Science Foundation. Correspondence is between Hoag and colleagues.
Please contact the archives to make a research appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished and published manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
