Sub-series 1. Personal Correspondence, 1948-2016, undated

Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series contains Alfred Bader’s Personal Correspondence files. The files in this sub-series primarily pertain to Bader’s personal activities, including, but not limited to, his interest and research in art history, philanthropy, involvement in chemistry professional organizations, and his interest and investments in chemical companies besides Sigma-Aldrich. A very small amount of professional materials, which concern Bader’s chemistry research at Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company and his ouster from Sigma-Aldrich’s Board of Directors are also present here.

Files containing Bader’s correspondence with chemists, colleges and universities, and chemical companies make up the largest components of the Personal Correspondence files. Small numbers of files containing Bader’s correspondence with chemistry professional organizations, journalists, and charitable organizations are also present in this sub-series. Small numbers of files containing correspondence regarding subjects of personal interest to Bader, including the Cornelis Bega Painting “The Alchemist” (which was owned by Bader) and the publication and distribution of Bader’s book Adventures of a Chemist Collector are also preserved here.

The contents of the Personal Correspondence files consist of a variety of materials. Letters make up a large majority of the materials in this sub-series. Small, but noticeable, amounts of emails, magazine articles, financial documents, legal documents, press releases, and notes are also found in these files. Small amounts of other miscellaneous materials, including, but not limited to, memoranda, article reprints, flyers, reports, and article manuscripts are preserved here as well.