Robert E. Kohler Papers
Scope and Content
Arranged in their original order, the Robert E. Kohler Papers contain the papers of American science historian Robert E. Kohler. This collection contains a single file regarding American physical chemist Gilbert N. Lewis and his views on bond theory. This collection also contains two files concerning Thursday Evening Seminars on chemical synthesis given by American organic chemist and 1965 Nobel Prize winner Robert Burns Woodward, which were recorded by Robert E. Kohler. Presented between 1959 and 1966, these seminars predated Woodward’s formulation of the Woodward-Hoffman Rules.
The contents of the files in the Robert E. Kohler Papers consist mainly of research notes, lecture notes, and correspondence. A few photographs and a photo negative are found in these files as well.
Dates
- Creation: 1959-1973
Creator
- Kohler, Robert E. (Person)
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes and the collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
The Science History Institute holds copyright to the Robert E. Kohler Papers. The researcher assumes full responsibility for all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Background Note
Robert E. Kohler (1937-) is an American science historian. Born in 1937, Kohler earned his B.A. in Chemistry from Yale University (1959) and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University (1965). After earning his doctorate, he held research fellowships at Harvard University's Medical School (1965-1968) and Department of History of Science (1968-1970), then served as Assistant Director of the Burndy Library in Norwalk, Connecticut (1970-1973).
In 1973, Kohler accepted a faculty position at the University of Pennsylvania's Department of History and Sociology of Science, where he enjoyed a distinguished career, serving as Professor (1973-2005) and Professor Emeritus (2005-present). At Penn, he became a noted expert on a number of subjects pertaining to the history of science, including, but not limited to, the history of genetics, the history of biochemistry, and the sociological aspects of American science.
Robert E. Kohler is the author of numerous articles and five books, including Lords of the Fly: Drosophila and the Experimental Life (1994) and All Creatures: Naturalists, Collectors, and Biodiversity, 1850-1950 (2006). He is also a recipient of the History of Science Society's Sarton Medal (2004).
Sources
Robert E. Kohler Papers, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
University of Pennsylvania, Department of History and Sociology of Science. “Robert E. Kohler.” https://hss.sas.upenn.edu/people/robert-e-kohler.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 Half Hollinger Box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Research notes, lecture notes, correspondence, and photographic materials of American science historian Robert E. Kohler. The materials in this collection concern American physical chemist Gilbert N. Lewis and American organic chemist and Nobel Prize winner Robert Burns Woodward.
Acquisition Information
The Robert E. Kohler Papers were donated to the Science History Institute (formerly the Chemical Heritage Center) by Robert E. Kohler in July 1996.
Processing Information
The Robert E. Kohler Papers were processed by Kenton G. Jaehnig in June 2024.
Subject
- Lewis, Gilbert Newton, 1875-1946 (Person)
- Woodward, R.B. (Robert Burns), 1917-1979 (Person)
- Title
- Robert E. Kohler Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid created and encoded into EAD by Kenton G. Jaehnig and Sarah Newhouse.
- Date
- 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2024-06-06: Revised by Kenton G. Jaehnig
Repository Details
Part of the Science History Institute Archives Repository
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Philadelphia PA 19106 United States
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