Paul A.M. Dirac Papers, 1788-1999
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Dirac, P. A. M. (Paul Adrien Maurice), 1902-1984
- Abstract:
- The Paul A. M. Dirac Papers consists of the personal and family papers, photographs, manuscripts, galley proofs, and published papers, scientific calculations, lecture notes, and office files of Dr. Paul A. M. Dirac, winner of the Nobel Prize (Physics, 1933). Materials relating to his professorships at St. John's College at Cambridge University where he held the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics chair from his election in 1932 until his retirement in 1969 and then as Professor of Physics at Florida State University from 1972 until his death in 1984, comprise the bulk of the Collection. A small group of audio recordings, certificates, realia, and selected published items transferred from his office at the time of his death are also included.
- Extent:
- 65 Linear Feet 110 boxes
- Language:
- Multiple languages
- Preferred citation:
[Item description], [item date], [series number], [box number], [folder number], Paul A. M. Dirac Papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/MSS_1989-009
Background
- Scope and content:
The Paul A. M. Dirac Collection includes material documenting his personal life and career as a student, premiere theoretical physicist, Nobel Prize winner, contributor to UK military research during World War II, noted lecturer and world traveler, holder of the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics chair at Cambridge University from 1932 until 1969, and Research Professor at Florida State University from 1972 until his death in 1984. The collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts of scientific papers and lectures, manuscript calculations, books, photographs, sound recordings, framed certificates, and realia.
Select materials from the Paul A.M. Dirac Papers are available online in the Paul A.M. Dirac Collection, Florida State University Digital Library.
- Biographical / historical:
- Acquisition information:
- The materials in the Paul A.M. Dirac papers were donated by Mrs. Dirac over a period of years from 1984 to 1997.
- Processing information:
To ensure the preservation of the materials and their accessibility to researchers, nonprint materials (photographs, negatives, memorabilia, and recordings) have been removed from their original locations among the papers and collected into appropriate locations. Manuscripts, galley proofs, and published materials by P. A. M. Dirac similarly have been brought together. His office collections of reprints and books have been maintained as transferred.
- Arrangement:
Collection was re-boxed in 2014. Items that are located in a new box and/or folder have their former location noted as part of their folder description.
- Accruals:
Additional addresses, artlcles, articles, and honorary items were received from Monica Dirac (December 3, 2012) that were originally from the Dirac house in Tallahassee. Marshall Knight gave four boxes of Mary Dirac's legal and financial materials on March 15, 2013. Further additions came from Monica Dirac in May 2013, and in February 2014.
- Physical location:
- Special Collections Research Center
- Physical facet:
- total collection extent
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
Family medical records relating to living persons are closed to researchers in consideration of their privacy.
- Terms of access:
All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Copyrights held by Margit Dirac were transferred to Florida State University by deeds of gift in 1986, 1989, 1992, and 1996, including those held by Paul A.M. Dirac at the time of his death.
Copyright in unpublished works by Paul Dirac will expire on January 1, 2055.
- Preferred citation:
[Item description], [item date], [series number], [box number], [folder number], Paul A. M. Dirac Papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/MSS_1989-009
- Location of this collection:
-
116 Honors WayTallahasseeFL32306-2047USA
