Series VI. Robert Burns Woodward Files, 1937-2012

Robert Burns Woodward (1917-1979) was a prominent American organic chemist, and a friend and collaborator of Lloyd H. Conover. He was best known for his work in the synthesis of complex natural products and the determination of their molecular structure. Woodward and Conover collaborated in determining the molecular structure of terramycin and aureomycin during the early 1950s. The two men also worked together in achieving total synthesis of tetracycline in 1962. Woodward later went on to win a number of prestigious science awards, including the National Medal of Science (1964), the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1965), and the Copley Medal (1978).

Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series consists of materials pertaining to the life and career of Robert Burns Woodward. Most of the materials in this series were written about Woodward by others. A small amount of materials written by Woodward himself are also preserved here.

The contents of the Robert Burns Woodward Files consist of a variety of materials. Magazine articles, journal articles, and papers are the most common materials found in this series. A noticeable amount of publications, periodicals (featuring articles about Woodward), article reprints, and reports are also present in the Robert Burns Woodward Files. Small amounts of copies of book chapters, press releases, notes, copies of presentation slides, and correspondence are preserved here as well.