Ernest George Merritt papers, 1887-1950.
Collection Number: 14-22-46
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Ernest George Merritt papers, 1887-1950.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
14-22-46
Abstract:
Collection includes material pertaining to Merritt's years at Cornell, including a
student scrapbook of photographs, programs, and pamphlets; loose photographs of colleagues,
laboratory equipment, and Cornell views; Merritt's notes on lectures concerning electricity,
magnetism, thermodynamics, and theoretical mechanics; four volumes of notes taken
by teaching assistant Ernest Blaker (Ph.D. 1901) at Merritt's lectures, as well as
undated notes on advances in experimental physics; calculations and notes; Physics
Department annual reports, 1917-33; resolutions, reports, minutes, and statements
of various committees of the Graduate Faculty concerning Graduate School requirements,
and elections and organization of the faculty; and correspondence and other papers
concerning the Board of Trustees and the deanship of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Also, correspondence, charts, reports, and a scrapbook of photographs pertaining to
Merritt's work at the New London Naval Academy, 1917-20, including correspondence
from R. A. Millikan; correspondence regarding colleagues in Germany, 1901-49, and
an autographed portrait of Max Planck; correspondence and printed material on the
history of the American Physical Society and other organizations; and correspondence
and reports concerning submarine detection, 1941-42.
Creator:
Merritt, Ernest, 1865-1948.
Quanitities:
2.8 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in English
Professor of physics.
Ernest Merritt graduated from Cornell University in 1886 as an electrical engineer,
and joined the staff as an instructor in 1889. He became the first dean of the Cornell
Graduate School in 1909, and resigned in 1914 in order to return to teaching. He was
head of the department from 1919-1935. Merritt was also one of the founders and first
editors of the Physical Review, first secretary and president of the American Physical
Society, and was an active member of many other scientific groups.
Collection includes material pertaining to Merritt's years at Cornell, including a
student scrapbook of photographs, programs, and pamphlets; loose photographs of colleagues,
laboratory equipment, and Cornell views; Merritt's notes on lectures concerning electricity,
magnetism, thermodynamics, and theoretical mechanics; four volumes of notes taken
by teaching assistant Ernest Blaker (Ph.D. 1901) at Merritt's lectures, as well as
undated notes on advances in experimental physics; calculations and notes; Physics
Department annual reports, 1917-33; resolutions, reports, minutes, and statements
of various committees of the Graduate Faculty concerning Graduate School requirements,
and elections and organization of the faculty; and correspondence and other papers
concerning the Board of Trustees and the deanship of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Also, correspondence, charts, reports, and a scrapbook of photographs pertaining to
Merritt's work at the New London Naval Academy, 1917-20, including correspondence
from R. A. Millikan; correspondence regarding colleagues in Germany, 1901-49, and
an autographed portrait of Max Planck; correspondence and printed material on the
history of the American Physical Society and other organizations; and correspondence
and reports concerning submarine detection, 1941-42.
Also included are a diary, 1887; publications by Merritt (some in collaboration with
Cornell Professor Edward L. Nichols) concerning luminescence and other subjects in
physics; a letterpress copybook, 1896-1904, including letters concerning the Town
and Gown Club, physics publications, and other topics; snapshots of family, friends,
and Ithaca, New York views; and biographical materials relating to Edward L. Nichols.
Also, a photograph of Herman von Helmholtz, with a letter to Merritt's son describing
its history; and a photograph of H. A. Lorentz, with a letter from Lorentz to Merritt,
1926 and a letter (n.d.) from Merritt to his son-in-law Jürg Waser, describing the
photograph.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Ernest George Merritt papers, #14-22-46. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections,
Cornell University Library.
Names:
Blaker, Ernest.
Millikan, Robert Andrews, 1868-1953.
Nichols, Edward L.
Planck, Max (Date of work: 1858-1947..)
Helmholtz, Hermann von, 1821-1894.
Lorentz, H. A. (Hendrik Albertus), 1871-1944.
American Physical Society
Cornell University -- : Faculty.
Cornell University. Board of Trustees
Cornell University. College of Arts and Sciences
Cornell University. Graduate School
Cornell University. Department of Physics
New London Naval Academy
Town and Gown Club
Subjects:
College teachers.
Thermodynamics.
Submarine boats -- Recognition.
Physics -- Study and teaching.
Mechanics.
Magnetism.
Luminescence.
Electricity.
Form and Genre Terms:
Scrapbooks.
Photographs.
Letterpress copybooks.
Lecture notes.
Diaries.
Charts.
CONTAINER LIST
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Container
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Description
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Date
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| Box 1 |
Notes 1890-1894-. Lecture Notes, New London Scrapbook, C.U. Scrapbook
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Scope and Contents
6 bound MSS vols. of :Merritt's lecture notes on "Magnetism, Dynamo-Electric Machinery
and Alternating Currents, 1890-1891" (mimeographed handwritten notes, with "Edw. L.
Nichols, from the author" on the inside front cover); 5 small volumes bound into one,
respectively titled "Planck Warmetheorie," untitled, "Planck Warmetheorie," and "System
der Physik I and II." These volumes were handwritten by Merritt in Berlin, 1894; "Lecture
Notes" (typewritten, mimeographed); Typewritten mimeographed lecture notes titled
"Theoretical Physics;" a scrapbook of photographs and related items pertaining to
Merritt's stay at the New London Naval Experiment Station, Research Section, 1917-1920;
and a Cornell University scrapbook containing photos, programs, newspapers, various
pamphlets, etc.
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| Box 2 |
Ernest Merritt, 1893-1945 and 1921-1941
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Scope and Contents
Copies of M's letters to President Day re the Sage Memorial Apse (1940-1941.) A letter
from Day to M, Jan. 15, 1941.
Correspondence regarding the founding of the Bureau of Standards, Wash. D.C., 1933-1934,
with George B. Pegram, W.F. Magie, Henry G. Gale, Lyman J. Briggs of Dept. of Commerce.
Includes copies M s outgoing letters.
Letters, pamphlets, notes re history of American Physical Society from Briggs, Gage,
Magie, others. Copy of article which M wrote for Physics Forum on "Early Days Physical Society" (Apr. 1934 vol. 5).
Letters (1903-1940) dealing with events at or business of Cornell.
Correspondence, bulletins, and other printed matter re the University Club, 1902-1933.
Deanship of College of Arts and Science papers, which practically give a history
of the controversy between its faculty and the Board of Trustees, 1921. Include copies
of letters from V.A. Moore, E. H. Woodruff, and letters from Roger H. Williams, Frank
A. Hiscock, R.H. Treman. Also relevant reports.
Correspondence with H.A. Lorentz (1925-1928) and photos of Lorentz.
Copies of M's letters to Arts and Science Dean R.M. Ogden (Feb. 1925-May 1929) re
Physics Dept. administration and a copy of a letter from M to Prof. Debye (June 8,
1925), inviting him to take a position at Cornell. Copies of M's correspondence and
memoranda (Sept. 1928-June 1929) re experiments done using radio tower on Alumni Field.
Printed matter and copy M's letter to nominating Committee (Feb. 2, 1930) re Nobel
Prize (1900-1930).
Correspondence and other items re Amer. Physical Society meeting at Ithaca (Feb.-June
1930).
Correspondence and printed matter (1924-1950) re Nat. Acad. of Sciences and Amer.
Acad. Arts and Sciences.
19 pp. carbon typescript of plan for international peace, and related printed matter
(n.d.).
Physics notes and calculations (from undergrad years? Folder was labelled "bachelor
life"), written in German (n.d.).
Correspondence and other items re relief scientific colleagues in Germany (1901-1949),
especially relating to Max Planck and his attendance at the Royal Society meeting
in London, 1946. Letters from Planck family and one apparently from Planck himself
(Aug. 4, 1947).
Misc. scientific printed matter, notes, corres. (1941-1949)
Misc. items including printed matter, certificate and diplomas of M, letters re Physical
Society, Cornell U., and WWI, a letter from George Lincoln Burr (Nov. 13, 1913) re
course of study at C.U; a letter from Sec. of the Navy Josephus Daniels re research
lab for the navy (May 24, 1915), from Frank E. Gannett re news gathering in Europe
and U.S. (Aug. 3, 1931), and other letters. Also notes on various topics. (1893-1948).
Correspondence and copies of correspondence (June-Sept. 1947), mostly with Gregory
M. Ignatieu.
Correspondence and other items re foreign relief (1942-19488) from agencies collecting
money and from peoole who received help from the Merritts.
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| Box 3 |
Ernest Merritt 1895; New London 1917-1929
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Scope and Contents
Correspondence, reports, charts, photos, etc, connected with K's work at New London,
1917-1918, Includes many letters from R.A. Millikan, and letters from G.W. Pierce
(Cambridge), George B. Pegram, Harris J. Ryan (Stanford, Elec. Engin.), and originals
and copies of M's letters. Above deals mainly with problems of submarine detection.
Also 1 folder, apparently lecture notes (handwritten) for K's Theoretical Physics
course, Fall 1895
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| Box 4 |
Ernest Merritt, Pictures
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Scope and Contents
Photographs of scientists, Cornell scenes, M's family, and concerning his work. Includes
photo of Planck inscribed to Merritts, 1904. Several photos removed to APC.
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| Box 4 | Folder 1 |
Colleagues - Carte de visit
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| Box 4 | Folder 2 |
Colleagues - Carte de visit
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| Box 4 | Folder 3 |
Cornell views
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| Box 4 | Folder 4 |
Cornell views
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| Box 4 | Folder 5 |
Cornell views
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| Box 4 | Folder 6 |
Cornell views
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| Box 4 | Folder 7 |
Snapshots of family and friends
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| Box 4 | Folder 8 |
Merritt family houses
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| Box 4 | Folder 9 |
House destroyed by fire
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| Box 4 | Folder 10 |
Landscapes
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| Box 4 | Folder 11 |
Postcards
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| Box 4 | Folder 12 |
Colleagues
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| Box 4 | Folder 13 |
Colleagues - cabinet cards
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| Box 4 | Folder 14 |
Colleagues
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| Box 4 | Folder 15 |
X-ray photography
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| Box 4 | Folder 16 |
Laboratory equipment
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| Box 4 | Folder 17 |
Colleagues
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| Box 4 | Folder 18 |
Max Planck - autographed portrait
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| Box 4 | Folder 19 |
Negatives - Nichols House, 5 South Ave., Ithaca
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| Box 4 | Folder 20 |
Negatives - miscellaneous
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| Box 4 | Folder 21 |
Negatives - miscellaneous
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| Box 4 | Folder 22 |
Negatives - miscellaneous
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| Box 4 | Folder 23 |
Negatives - various portraits of Experimental Station people
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| Box 4 | Folder 24-29 |
Glass lantern slide
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| Box 4 | Folder 30 |
Herman von Helmholtz
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| Box 4 | Folder 31 |
H. A. Lorentz
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| Box 5 |
Ernest Merritt, 1893-1950, and Undated
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Scope and Contents
Physics Dept. Annual Reports 1917-1933 and n.d. Also notes.
Letters on M's 80th birthday (Dec. 1944-June 1945 and n.d) from Pres. Day (April
16, 1955), many others.
Copies of M's letters re sub detection written after Pearl Harbor (dated Jan. 1941-Feb.
1942, but judging from contents, "Jan 1941" would appear to be "Jan 1942.") A reply
from R.P. Briscoe, Commander, U.S.N. (Feb. 2, 1942).
"Report on the Practicability of Magnetic and Electric Methods for the Detection
of Submarines" 52 carbon typescript pp., 1917, author unknown) and related correspondence
from Vannevar Bush and others (1917-1942).
Biog. material re Prof. Edward L. Wichols, including photos (1393-1942). Dean Merritt
graduate faculty records, 1909-1911 (1 folder)
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| Box 6 |
Ernest Merritt, Works Published, 1900-1940
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Scope and Contents
Books and pamphlets
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| Box 6 |
An Address by Vice-president Ernest Merritt, American Association for the Advancement
of Science. 1900. 2 copies.
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| Box 6 |
A VISUAL METHOD OF OBSERVING THE INFLUENCES OF ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS ON RADIO RECEPTION.
Ernest Merritt and William E. Bostwick. 2 copies.
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| Box 6 |
BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL - Selected Topics in the Field of Luminescence.
Ernest Merritt, Edward Nichols, and C.E. Child. 2 copies.
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| Box 6 |
CHANGES OBSERVED IN THE DIRECTION OF RADIO SIGNALS AT THE TIME OF THE ECLIPSE OF JANUARY
24, 1925. Ernest Merritt, C.C. Bidewell, and H. J- Reich. 2 copies.
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| Box 6 |
FORM OF THE ABSORPTION BONDS ON SOLUTIONS OF THE ORGANIC DYES, AND A RELATION BETWEEN
ABSORPTION AND FLUORESCENCE, THE. Ernest Merritt, 1924 1 copy.
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| Box 6 |
HOW SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES ARE MADE. Ernest Merritt. 2 Copies.
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| Box 6 |
LUMINESCENCE. Merritt and Nichols. 1904-1940. 1 copy.
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| Box 6 |
LUMINESCENCE. Ernest Merritt. 1915. 1copy.
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| Box 6 |
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES - Polarized Fluorescence in Liquids. Ernest Merritt and
Donald Roger Morey. 1929. 2 copies.
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| Box 6 |
NOTE ON THE FLUORESCENCE OF FROZEN SOLUTIONS OF THE URANYL SANDS. Nichols and Merritt.
1914. 1 copy.
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| Box 6 |
OPTICS OF RADIO-TRANSSMISSION, THE. Ernest Merritt. 1931. 2 copies.
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| Box 6 |
ON CONTACT RECTIFICATION BY METALLIC GERMANIUM. Ernest Merritt. 1925. 2 copies
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| Box 6 |
POLARIZED FLUORESCENCE OF SOLUTIONS OF RHODAMINE - B AND URANINE. Ernest Merritt and
Donald R. Morey. 1930.
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| Box 6 |
RADIO TALKS ON SCIENCE. --Carving the Scientific Possum. Ernest Merritt. 1925. 2 copies
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| Box 6 |
SCIENTIFIC PAPERS 1889-1904. Ernest Merritt.
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| Box 6 |
STUDIES IN LUMINESCENCE XI. Nichols and Merritt. 1910. 1 copy.
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| Box 6 |
STUDIES IN LUMINESCENCE XII. Nichols, Merritt. 1910, 2 copies.
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| Box 6 |
STUDIES IN LUMINESCENCE - Nichols and Merritt. 1911. 2 copies.
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| Box 6 |
STUDIES IN LUMINESCENCE - Nichols and Merritt. 1912. 2 copies.
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| Box 6 |
VISUAL STUDIES OF RADIO FADING. Ernest Merritt, True McLean, W. F. Bostwick. 1931.
2 copies.
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Miscellaneous
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| Box 7 |
Merritt's lecture notes, [ca. 1898-1900], 4 vols.
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| Box 7 |
Diary, 1887, 1 vol
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| Box 7 |
Letterpress copybook, 1896-1904, 1 vol.
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