Papers, 1917-1963 (bulk 1930-1960), of
astronomer Edwin F. Carpenter, 1898-1963. Includes biographical materials,
correspondence, publications and appearances, printed materials,
photographs, and glass slides. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence documenting
his professional activities, and photographs documenting the building and
instrumentation of Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona, and Kitt
Peak National Observatory in the Quinan Mountains, west of Tucson, Arizona.
Selected correspondents include Bart Bok, Raymund Dugan, Stuve Holm, Knut
Lundmark, Otto Struve, Harlow Shapley, and Edwin Hubble.
Collection Number:
MS 332
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special
Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
Biographical Note
Born on 1 November 1898 in Boston, Massachusetts, Edwin Carpenter
received the A.B. and A.M. degrees from Harvard and the Ph. D. from the
University of California at Berkeley (1925). He began his teaching duties at
the University of Arizona that year, and became head of the Astronomy
Department (1936), director of Steward Observatory (1938), a member at large of
the board of directors of the Association of Universities for Research in
Astronomy, Inc. (AURA).
His career brought considerable attention to The University of Arizona,
and raised the research and instructional levels of its astronomy and
observation programs. Mr. Carpenter’s research included investigations of
characteristics of galaxies, the death of stars through supernovae, and white
dwarf stars. He was active in campus affairs, and served as local president for
several organizations, including the American Association of University
Professors and Society of Sigma Xi. Nationally, he was vice-president and
chairman of the Astronomical Divisions of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science, and council member of the American Astronomical
Society. He published widely, and received support for his work from the
National Science Foundation, National Academy of Sciences, and the American
Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. He died on 11 February 1963 at Tucson.
He had nearly completed the two-year undertaking of relocating Steward
Observatory’s 36 inch reflector to the new site at Kitt Peak National
Observatory. He was survived by his wife, Ethel, and children Roger and
Emily.
Scope and Content Note
Papers, 1917-1963 (bulk 1930-1960), of astronomer Edwin F. Carpenter,
1898-1963. Includes biographical materials, correspondence, publications and
appearances, printed materials, and photographs. The bulk of the collection
consists of correspondence documenting his professional activities, and
photographs documenting the building and instrumentation of Steward Observatory
at the University of Arizona, and Kitt Peak National Observatory in the Quinan
Mountains, west of Tucson, Arizona. Selected correspondents include Bart Bok,
Raymund Dugan, Stuve Holm, Knut Lundmark, Otto Struve, Harlow Shapley, and
Edwin Hubble.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish
from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record,
the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The
user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the
University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all
claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of
copyright.
Correspondence, general (mostly incoming, some outgoing
replies).
, 1917-1938
box
folder
2
1-6
Correspondence, general,
1939-1963
2
7
American Association for the Advancement of Science,
Southwestern Division, 1936-39 about 19th meeting in Alpine Texas, and
dedication of the McDonald Observatory.
, 1936-1939
2
8
American Astronomical Society, 1936-1949. Chiefly
concerning the planning for the 82nd meeting held in Tucson Dec. 28-31, 1949.
, 1936-1949
2
9
Edwin Hubble.
, 1929-1939
box
folder
3
1
American Philosophical Society, 1937-1938, about funds for
purchase of a recording microdensitometer, type B, from P.J. Kipp & Zonen,
Delft, Holland.
, 1937-1938
3
2
Bailey Telescope.
, 1946-1950
3
3
Colorimeter.
, 1950-1959
3
4
Conference: on Applied Solar Energy, Tucson and Phoenix
1955.(EFC edited the proceedings, access number TJ810/A82).
, 1955
3
5
Conference: On Astronomical Research in Small Academic
Departments, 1954- 1958. Held at Swarthmore College, with follow up conference
1957.
, 1954-1958
3
6
Shapley, Harlow.
, 1923-1942
3
7
University of Arizona, 1938-1946. Chiefly with the Dean,
College of Liberal Arts.
, 1938-1946
Printed materials: programs and listing from International
Astronomical Union, 1932-58. Includes materials from 10th meeting, Moscow,
1958.
, 1932-1958
4
3
Printed materials: general astronomical meeting programs.
, 1929-1963
4
4
Printed materials: poems and humorous materials regarding
astronomy; also includes "Monthly Astronomical News Letter," issued by B. Bok,
1942?-1944? numbers 4, 6, 7, 17, 18, 19.
, 1942?-1944?
4
5-7
Printed materials: clippings on Steward Observatory and
Kitt Peak National Observatory.
, 1955-1965
"Calver" telescope, 12 inch, brought to Tucson from
Cameron, Ariz..
, 1948
5
2
"Bailey" telescope, designed by EFC, lens procured by Dana
F. Bailey.
, 1952
5
3
Kitt Peak National Observatory, 1957-62. Includes site
views, construction, buildings, instruments.
, 1957-1962
5
4
Kitt Peak National Observatory, building at 950 N. Cherry,
Tucson.
, 1959-1961
5
5-6
Steward Observatory reflector, and its move to Kitt Peak.
, 1959-1963
box
folder
6
1
Kitt Peak: Dedication of Robert R. McNath Solar Telescope.
, 1962
6
2
Steward Observatory, site searches.
, 1930s-1959
6
3-4
Steward Observatory, addition to campus building.
, 1960-1964
6
5
Tucson Amateur Astronomers, and their "Moon watch" event.
, 1957
6
6
Conferences, 1949-1955. Chiefly of A.A.A.S. Tucson, 1949;
and Solar Energy Conferences in Tucson and Phoenix.
, 1955
6
7
Miscellaneous, 1932-1948. Includes unidentified
astronomical formations; "Eclipse Camp," in Maine, 1932; Mount Palomar
dedication.
, 1948
6
8
Observatories and equipment: includes postcards of
observatories from a 1932 trip to Europe, and various sites in the United
States, including Perkins (Delaware, Ohio) and Griffith (Los Angeles, Calif.).
, 1932
ArizonaMovie Set, 1939; Gila River, 1941; Salt River Canyon, 1941
7
2
University of Arizona vs. New Mexico Military Institute Polo Game, 1940 February 10; University of Arizona Inauguration Day 1938, April 12; University of Arizona Campus Scenes; 1958