The Bart Bok collection (1928-1983) documents
his astronomical research, instruction and administration at Harvard
University, the Australian National University, the University of Arizona and
associated observatories. The collection includes material relevant to the
study of galactic structure and dynamics and interstellar matter, with
particular emphasis on: The Milky Way, Dark Nebulae, Star Formation, Spiral
Structure of the Galaxy, Star Clouds of Magellan and Radio Astronomy. The bulk
of the collection is comprised of correspondence (1945-1983), and includes
biographical, research, professional and public lecture, instruction, subject,
publication and photograph files.
Collection Number:
MS 403
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
Bart Bok (1906-1983) was an accomplished astronomer, educator and
administrator. Born in Hoorn, Holland in 1906, he studied at the University of
Leiden and the University of Groningen, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1932. He
married astronomer Priscilla Fairfield Bok, Ph.D. (1896-1975), in 1929, and had
two children. He served as R.W. Willson Fellow in Astronomy at Harvard
University from 1927-1929, Professor of Astronomy at this same institution from
1933-1957, and Associate Director of the Harvard Observatory from 1946-1952.
Dr. Bok and his family lived in Canberra, Australia, from 1957-1966, where he
served as the Director of the Mount Stromlo Observatory and Professor of
Astronomy at the Australian National University. Dr. Bok was appointed as
Director of the Steward Observatory and Head of the Department of Astronomy at
the University of Arizona from 1966-1970, where he served as Professor of
Astronomy until his retirement in 1974. He was Professor Emeritus of Astronomy
at the University of Arizona from 1974-1983.
Dr. Bok focused his research primarily on galactic structure and
dynamics and stellar and interstellar matter. He was a recognized authority on
The Milky Way and contributed significantly to galactic astronomy by
emphasizing the importance and applications of radio astronomy. Particular
areas of interest included the following: Dark Nebulae, Star Formation, Spiral
Structure of the Galaxy, and Star Clouds of Magellan. His numerous publications
on these subjects attest to a long and prolific research and writing career.
Dr. Bok was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in
1939 and as an associate of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1971. In addition
to his work as a research scientist and academic instructor, Dr. Bok was
dedicated to educating the public, including youth audiences, through popular
lectures in astronomy. He and his wife, Priscilla Fairfield Bok, also shared an
interest in promoting careers in astronomy for women.
Scope and Content Note
The Bart Bok papers (1928-1983) document his astronomical research,
instruction and administration at Harvard University, the Australian National
University and the University of Arizona and associated observatories. The
collection includes materials on galactic structure and dynamics and
interstellar matter, with particular emphasis on the following topics: The
Milky Way, Dark Nebula, Star Formation, Spiral Structure of the Galaxy, Star
Clouds of Magellan and Radio Astronomy. The material includes biographical
information, personal communications and professional correspondence with
renowned colleagues throughout the world, research notes and notebooks that
include international observational data, professional and public lectures,
instruction and subject files, as well as publications and photographs. Please
note that dates listed reflect the subject content of the material.
Organization
This Collection is organized into eight series. Two series contain
subseries: Research Files and Photographs.
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.
Arrangement: Alphabetical. Biographical files document Dr. Bok's
professional recognition and achievements as a researcher, instructor and
administrator. Includes personal and professional recollections and discussions
of significant developments in the field of astronomy, during the early to
late-twentieth century. The life and career of his wife, astronomer Priscilla
Fairfield Bok, are also documented in this series.
box
folder
1
1
Awards and Certificates.
, 1939-1980
1
2
Bibliographies.
, 1927-1983
1
3
Bok, Bart.
, 1956-1983
1
4
Bok, Bart: Chapter Sixteen, Last Years.
, undated
1
5
Bok, Bart: Memoir, Biographical Memoirs of the National
Academy of Science, 64.
, undated
1
6
Bok, Bart: Oral History, American Institute of Physics,
General Information.
, 1978-1985
1
7
Bok, Bart: Oral History, American Institute of Physics,
Session I (later II), Rough Draft.
, 1978
1
8
Bok, Bart: Oral History, American Institute of Physics,
Session II.
, 1978
1
9
Bok, Bart: Oral History, American Institute of Physics,
Session III, Rough Draft.
, 1978
1
10
Bok, Bart: Oral History, American Institute of Physics,
Session IV.
, 1978
Arrangement: Alphabetical. Correspondence files primarily document
Dr. Bok's professional communication with renowned astronomy colleagues and
friends throughout the world. Also included is personal correspondence with
family members and friends of Drs. Bart and Priscilla Bok.
box
folder
2
2-3
A. .
, 1971-1983
2
4
Abt, Helmut.
, 1980-1983
2
5
American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
, 1976
2
6
American Astronomical Society.
, 1980-1983
2
7
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.
, 1975-1977
2
8
Arp, Halton C.
, 1975-1977
2
9-10
Astrology.
, 1975
2
11
Astrology.
, 1975-1976
box
folder
3
1
Astrology.
, 1975-1976
3
2
B.
, 1945-1983
3
3
B.
, 1970-1982
3
4
Baade, Walter.
, 1947-1950
3
5
Bappu, M.K. Vainu.
, 1972-1982
3
6
Barchas, Sam and Cecile.
, 1971-1973
3
7
Bateson, Frank.
, 1977-1983
3
8
Blanco, Victor M.
, 1967-1983
3
9
Blitz, Leo.
, 1980-1983
3
10
Burbidge, Geoffrey and Margaret.
, 1971-1983
3
11
C.
, 1945-1983
box
folder
4
1
C.
, 1976-1984
4
2
Chamberlain, Joseph M.
, 1977-1982
4
3
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of
the Paranormal.
, 1977-1981
4
4
D.
, 1946-1983
4
5
D.
, 1973-1983
4
6
Dickman, Bob.
, 1974-1980
4
7
Dixon, Robert.
, 1982-1983
4
8
E.
, 1946-1983
4
9
Erro, Luis Enrique.
, 1944-1948
box
folder
5
1
F.
, 1972-1983
5
2
Fehrenbach, Charles.
, 1974-1978
5
3
Flanagan, Dennis.
, 1979-1982
5
4
Fleischer, Dr. Robert.
, 1947-1981
5
5
Fraknoi, Andrew.
, 1979-1983
5
6
Frederick, Larry.
, 1974-1980
5
7
G.
, 1955-1983
5
8
G.
, 1957-1983
5
9
Gingerich, Owen.
, 1977-1982
5
10
Glaspey, John.
, 1973
5
11
Goldberg, Leo.
, 1970-1980
5
12
Graham, John.
, 1962-1982
box
folder
6
1
H.
, 1968-1983
6
2
H.
, 1972-1982
6
3
Harvard University Press.
, 1973-1982
6
4
Hintzen, Paul M.
, 1980-1983
6
5
Hoag, Arthur.
, 1949-1983
6
6
I.
, 1973-1982
box
folder
7
1
J.
, 1955-1983
7
2
K.
, 1972-1982
7
3
K.
, 1977-1983
7
4
L.
, 1955-1983
7
5
L.
, 1968-1983
7
6
Levy, David.
, 1980-1983
7
7
Lowell Observatory.
, 1975-1976
7
8
Lynga, Gosta.
, 1979
7
9
McGraw-Hill.
, 1982
box
folder
8
1
M.
, 1967-1979
8
2-3
M.
, 1971-1983
8
4
M.
, 1972-1980
8
5
Miller, Ellis.
, 1975-1981
8
6
Miller, Freeman D.
, 1972-1980
8
7
Muzzio, Juan Carlos.
, 1976-1983
8
8
N.
, 1974-1983
8
9
National Academy of Sciences.
, 1969-1982
box
folder
9
1
National Academy of Sciences, U.S.S.R.-Soviet Scientists.
, 1981-1983
Arrangement: Alphabetical. Research files are divided into three
subseries: Reports (1947-1983), Grant Proposals (1967-1981) and Notes
(1944-1979). Reports include reports authored by Dr. Bok relevant to his
administrative appointments, co-authored reports on various astronomical
topics, and reports written by colleagues and former students. Grant Proposals
include submissions by Dr. Bok on various research topics as well as those
authored by colleagues. Notes include observational notes and notebooks
belonging to Dr. Bart Bok, Dr. Priscilla Bok, and colleagues.
Arrangement: Alphabetical. Professional and public Lecture Files
include Dr. Bok's professional and public lectures on galactic structure and
dynamics, interstellar matter, and research advances in astronomy.
box
folder
23
9
A Bigger and Better Milky Way-Audio Tape.
, 1981
23
10
Brief Popular Summaries, Globule, Spiral Structure,
Globular Clusters, Astrophysics, Populations I and II.
, undated
23
11
Distances and Extinction of Dark Nebulae.
, 1979
23
12
General.
, 1945-1952
box
folder
25
1
General.
, 1954-1959
box
folder
24
2
General.
, 1962-1963
24
3
General.
, 1964
24
4
General.
, 1965
24
5
General.
, 1966-1968
24
6
General.
, 1968-1969
24
7
General.
, 1970
box
folder
25
1
General.
, 1971
25
2
General.
, 1972-1974
25
3
General.
, 1973
25
4
General.
, 1975-1978
25
5
General.
, 1978-1979
25
6
General.
, 1980
25
7
General.
, 1981
25
8
General.
, 1982-1983
25
9
General.
, 1983
box
folder
26
1
General.
, undated
26
2
General Luminosity Function.
, 1979
26
3
The Promise of the Space Telescope-Audio Tape.
, 1982
26
4
Science Makes News-Broadcasts I-IV.
, 1963-1964
26
5
Stellar Distances, Double Stars, Distances in the Milky
Way, Velocity of Light.
, undated
26
6
Summary of a Lecture Before the Junior Astronomy Club- New
York.
, 1942
Arrangement: Alphabetical. Instruction Files include material
related to Dr. Bok's instruction at Harvard University, the Australian National
University and the University of Arizona. Course and seminar notes and syllabi
relevant to general astronomy, stellar and interstellar matter, galactic
structure and dynamics and radio astronomy are included.
Arrangement: Alphabetical. Publication Files document Dr. Bok's
research and writing career. It contains publications on galactic structure and
dynamics, stellar and interstellar matter, the Milky Way, Dark Nebulae, Star
Formation, Spiral Structure of the Galaxy, and Star Clouds of Magellan.
Arrangement: Alphabetical. Subject Files consist of material
relating to Bart Bok's personal and professional interests. Including special
events, the Bok Fellowship, Bok Prize student awards, travel-related
information and subjects related to international developments in
astronomy.
Arrangement: Alphabetical. This series is divided into five
subseries: Stellar Objects (1950-1982), Facilities and Equipment (1933-1980),
General (1944-1979), Negatives and Slides (1951-1980) and Oversize (1971-1978).
Stellar Objects includes images of stellar and interstellar matter and
photographic charts. Facilities and Equipment documents the construction of
various international observatories and the installation of astronomical
equipment, with a particular emphasis on radio telescopes. Photographs of Dr.
Bok's visits to international observatories are also included. General includes
Dr. Bok's personal images of himself, family members, notable astronomers and
colleagues, the special events such as the Bok Symposium and his retirement
luncheon. Negatives and Slides include images of stellar and interstellar
matter, facilities and equipment. Also includes personal and professional
images. Oversize includes photographic charts and diagrams of stellar and
interstellar objects and matter and images of facilities and equipment.
