David L. Anderson Papers, 1915-1997
| Oberlin College Archives
Administrative/Biographical History
David L. Anderson (b. 1919) was a Navy serviceman and scientist at Los Alamos during WWII, an Oberlin College physics professor and departmental chair, and an Episcopal priest. He was born in Portland, Oregon, the grandchild of Swedish and Norwegian immigrants. He had an older brother, Norm (1916-1955), and a younger sister, Jean (b. 1923). Attending Harvard University was an unexpected privilege—only 18 of Anderson's high school class of 100 attended college—which was made possible with a $400 tuition scholarship and jobs waiting tables and working in a physics lab. A physics major, he graduated summa cum laude; he completed his graduate work at Harvard (S.B. 1941, A.M. 1947, Ph.D. 1950).
In December of 1943, Anderson began work on the Manhattan Project to construct an atomic bomb in Los Alamos, NM. At the time, the Los Alamos community consisted of approximately 6,000 scientists, support staff, security, and their families. Enrico Fermi, Edward Teller, Richard Feynman, and Robert J. Oppenheimer were among the luminaries of physics Anderson worked with at Los Alamos. Anderson was employed there first as a civilian scientist, then as a Naval officer, between 1943 and 1946. In the spring and summer of 1946, he was temporarily stationed on the island of Tinian in the Mariannas, preparing for and witnessing the two Bikini bomb tests. Years of reflection never led him to regret his wartime involvement, claimed Anderson in newspaper interviews, since the bomb saved American lives and ended World War II.
Following an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in September, 1946, Anderson returned to Harvard University to earn advanced physics degrees with a pre-doctoral fellowship awarded by the National Research Council. He was also reunited with a woman he had met during the war, Madeleine "Molly" Mather. They were married in June of 1947. The couple had their first son, Philip Alden, or "Denny," in 1948 in Massachusetts. Their other children, Stephen Andrew (b. 1951), Samuel Mather (b. 1953), and Constance (b. 1959), were born and raised in Oberlin, Ohio.
Although Anderson did not officially earn his Ph.D. in physics until 1950, he was hired by Oberlin College to teach in 1948. Between 1948 and his retirement in 1984, Anderson worked as an assistant, associate, and full professor of physics at Oberlin College. His introductory astronomy courses were popular, in part due to his efforts to make physics understandable to non-science majors. One general physics class he taught was dubbed "poet's physics." Anderson chaired the physics department from 1963 to 1972.
At Oberlin, Anderson served both his college and the wider academic community. He was a member of several general faculty and college faculty councils, including chairmanships of the 1973-1974 faculty presidential search committee, the Mead-Swing Lectureships, the Student Life Committee, and the Educational Policy Committee. In 1970-1971, Anderson's years of service as an examiner-consultant for the North Central Association Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Committee culminated in his chairmanship of the Ohio and Michigan Regional Selection Committee. Anderson was also a member of several honorary and professional societies, including the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, Sigma Xi, Phi Beta Kappa, and the History of Science Society.
As an academic, Anderson was an active researcher and writer. He authored several books, including The Discovery of the Electron (Van Nostrand, 1964), The Discovery of Nuclear Fission (with co-author Hans Graetzer, Van Nostrand, 1971), and Discoveries in Physics (Supplemental book for Harvard Project Physics, published by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1973). His first book was translated into Swedish, Polish, Spanish, Russian, and Italian. Anderson contributed articles and book reviews to the professional journals Physical Review, American Journal of Physics, Technology and Culture, and Physics Today. Four sabbaticals took Anderson to the University of Birmingham in England (1954-1955), the University of Edinburgh in Scotland (1968-1969), and Harvard University (1961-1962 and 1975-1976).
Anderson's career as a physicist was paralleled through several decades by his life as an Episcopal priest. Without attending a seminary, Anderson passed the Canonical Examinations, first to be a deacon in 1954 and then to be ordained to the priesthood in 1956. He served as an unpaid associate rector at Christ Church in Oberlin, Ohio, but also was a frequent guest lecturer at several parish churches and universities.
David Anderson was also concerned about the growth and improvement of the town of Oberlin. He was involved in the campaigns of local politicians, often encouraging people like James F. (Bill) Long to run for political office. Anderson assisted in local business ventures, providing both financial resources and advice.
David Anderson retired from Oberlin College in 1984. In 1993, he and his wife, Madeleine, moved to Kendal at Oberlin, a retirement community. The Anderson’s house, on Morgan Street , was subsequently purchased by Andrew Evans (V.P. of Finance), and then resold to Sharon Patton (Director, Allen Art Museum). David Anderson died on March 9, 1996, after a brief illness.
Author: Jessica G. Broadwell Subjects (links to similar collections)Astronomy--Study and teaching--Ohio--Oberlin
Atomic bomb--Marshall Islands--Bikini Atoll--Testing
Atomic bomb--New Mexico--Los Alamos
Episcopal Church--Ohio--Oberlin
Episcopalians--Biography
Nuclear physics--Research--New Mexico--Los Alamos
Oberlin College
Oberlin College--Department of Physics--History--Sources
Physics--Philosophy
Physics--Religious aspects
Physics--Research--Ohio--Oberlin
Physics--Study and teaching--Ohio--Oberlin
Physics teachers--Ohio--Oberlin
Woodrow Wilson Foundation
World War, 1939-1945--Equipment and supplies
Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
The collection contains both personal and professional papers of David L. Anderson. Personal papers include correspondence and items relating to Anderson's ministry, family, Navy service, health and car insurance, investments, and retirement. Professional papers exist for activities directly relating to Oberlin, and for external professional involvement. Included are correspondence, memoranda, notes, class syllabi, students' papers and exams, lecture outlines, drafts and final copies of books and articles written by Anderson, equipment and business trip records, grant applications, professional literature, and some photographs.
The David L. Anderson papers are arranged in ten series: I. Biographical Files, II. Harvard Classroom Records, III. Correspondence, IV. Committee Files, V. General Files, VI. Instructional and Student Files, VII. Ministerial Files, VIII. Miscellaneous Professional Files, IX. Writings File, and X. Drawings and Photographs.
These ten series contribute to the documentation of Anderson's adult life. Two series, I. Biographical Files and IV. Correspondence, span the entirety of these years. Anderson's undergraduate and graduate years at Harvard University are documented by classroom notes, laboratory reports, and assignments in series II, and by correspondence. A little light is shed on his time at Los Alamos and in the U.S. Navy during World War II largely through his service papers, and through Anderson's recollections recorded in newspaper articles, Harvard alumni bulletin autobiographies, and correspondence. Researchers are bound to long for more documentation relating to Anderson's involvement in the development of the atom bomb, an achievement with profound influence on world history, science, and culture.
Anderson's years living in Oberlin, Ohio, are documented thoroughly in several series. Again, his personal and family life are revealed through correspondence. "Extracurricular" service to Oberlin College and to the wider academic community is evident in the extensive committee files of series III, in the miscellaneous professional files of series VIII, and in the writings found in series IX. The bulk of Anderson's professional duties at Oberlin College—as an advisor, administrator, and instructor—are recorded in Series VI. Instructional and Student Files. Finally, Anderson's "second" career as an Episcopal priest is informed by Series VII. Ministerial Files. This series contains several folders of sermons made by Anderson through the years, at Christ Church in Oberlin, at college "Chapel Talks," and as a guest speaker at other churches and colleges.
In summary, Anderson's interests in science, the history of science, education, religion, and ethics are apparent in his papers. Woven together, these interests affected both his personal life and his work, clearly guiding his research, daily life, sermons, and speeches.
A few isolated folders, as marked, are restricted. They concern student and personnel issues.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series I. Biographical Files, 1937-1992, 1997 (0.4 l.f.)
The biographical files are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Included are personal financial papers with family estate, insurance, investment, and property information. Biographical items—including autobiographical correspondence, birthday odes, clippings, U.S. Navy service papers, several curriculum vitae, who's who, memorial minute, and retirement papers—document David Anderson's personal life and career. The memorabilia folder houses World War II identification cards, a war ration book, a driving license, a copy of Anderson's marriage certificate, and a 1956 program from Anderson's ordination to the priesthood.
Series II. Harvard Classroom Records, 1937-1948 (1.45 l.f.)
The records of David Anderson's undergraduate and graduate years at Harvard University are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Notebooks are placed at the end of the series, followed by laboratory reports. Folders consist largely of classroom notes, papers, tests, and quizzes. Of interest is the essay "A Self Analysis," written by Anderson for his freshman composition course, English A, in 1937. Most other course folders are from the disciplines of mathematics or physics .
Series III. Committee Files, 1944-1984 (1.9 l.f.)
Anderson served on committees both at Oberlin College and external academic, community, or professional committees. Included are announcements, correspondence, memoranda, minutes, programs, and reports. Of note are the extensive records relating to the Mead-Swing Lectureship, 1944-1972, which include correspondence with potential and scheduled speakers, financial information, suggestions for lecturers, and programs. Some of Anderson's early committee files were relocated to Various Committees (RG 33).
Series IV. Correspondence, 1938-1994 (5.4 l.f.)
The David Anderson correspondence is divided into three subseries: personal, professional, and family. The first two subseries are arranged chronologically, with any already titled folders placed in alphabetical order at the rear of the subseries. Of note is the letter from Robert Oppenheimer and correspondence with Jim Fixx. Fixx was a student and personal friend of David Anderson; a program from Anderson's 1984 memorial service for Fixx appears in the "special services" folder of the Ministerial Files series. These folders are peppered by some amusingly critical letters to companies making claims to impossible products, which as a physicist, Anderson could debunk. (See May 7, 1980 letter to Vivitar Corporation.) Anderson freely wrote letters of praise, as well, commending responsible companies and good service. The file “History of College Physics Department, 1990-91” contains letters to Anderson from former Physics students. The letters were written in response to Anderson’s request for reminiscences of the Physics Department and Professor Carl Howe, Forrest Tucker, and Lloyd W. Taylor. Anderson was asked to write a history of the Oberlin College Physics Department. The third subseries, consisting of letters to and from immediate family members, is arranged alphabetically by correspondent; the bulk of this subseries (2.5 l.f.) is made up of letters from Anderson's parents. This series provides a useful complement to the other series that address Anderson's personal and professional life.
Series V. General Files, 1947-1984 (0.6 l.f.)
The General Files series contains miscellany with folder titles designated by Anderson in his haphazard record-keeping. The series is divided into two subseries: alphabetical files and name files.
Series VI. Instructional and Student Files, 1948-1988 (3.3 l.f.)
The Instructional and Student Files represent David Anderson's work specifically as a teacher during his years at Oberlin College. Lecture notes, laboratory experiments, syllabi, grade books, daily handouts, and copies of exams for Anderson's astronomy and physics classes comprise the bulk of the series. These items are supplemented by papers relating to Anderson's work as an academic advisor, reference letter writer, and winter term project sponsor. Finally, students' written assignments—book reviews, exams, outlines, and papers—are also included.
Series VII. Ministerial Files, 1948-1993 (1 l.f.)
The files relating to David Anderson's life as an Episcopal deacon and ordained priest are arranged into two subseries: general files and chapel talks and sermons. Anderson's interests in education, ethics, and science entered his work for the Episcopal Church. These interests are also apparent in the conferences he attended, his sermons, and his guest speaking engagements. He served on the general committee of the Faculty Christian Fellowship, on the editorial board for The Christian Scholar, and worked with both the Church Society for College Work and the College Work Commission. Included in this series are correspondence, Anderson's Canonical Examinations, church service programs, conference schedules, committee minutes, miscellany, notes, sermons, and speeches.
Series VIII. Miscellaneous Professional Files, 1939-1987 (1 l.f.)
This series, arranged alphabetically by folder title, contains information pertaining to Anderson's work as a consultant, visiting teacher, lecturer, and conference attendee. The papers also document his work at Oberlin College from correspondence with Professor Lloyd W. Taylor, chairman of the Department of Physics, about Anderson's appointment in 1948 through departmental and self-evaluations over subsequent decades. Of interest are the folders titled "Professional Opportunities," which contain the correspondence of other colleges attempting to lure Anderson away from Oberlin College. Anderson's work as a consultant for the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools is also covered in this series, as are his sabbaticals at Harvard University, at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and in Kenya.
Series IX. Writings File, 1950-1984 (2.7 l.f.)
The writings of David Anderson, both published and unpublished, are arranged into three subseries: book reviews, articles, and books/studies/thesis. The series comprises largely professional, scientific literature in the form of book reviews and monographs, but some articles concern his work at Oberlin College and as an Episcopal priest. Included are typescripts, notes, data, revisions, and correspondence relating to his 1950 Harvard Ph.D. thesis, various articles and book reviews, letters to the editor, and the monographs The Discovery of the Electron, The Discovery of Nuclear Fission, and Discoveries in Physics. Anderson's published work was occasionally collaborative.
Series X. Drawings and Photographs, ca. 1937-1990, n.d. (0.2 l.f.)
The drawings and photographs series contains images of Anderson, of his friends and family, and of the physics building. While most are candid, one photograph is a formal portrait of Anderson in his Navy uniform; a negative exists for this image. One notable photograph shows a mushroom-shaped cloud rising above water in a tropical setting. Presumably, this image documents the Bikini Bomb tests, at which Anderson was present.