The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Association of Scientists for Atomic Education Records 1945-1948
© 2000 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Association of Scientists for Atomic Education. Records |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1945-1948(inclusive) |
| Size: | 2 linear ft. (4 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | The Association of Scientists for Atomic Education (ASAE) was incorporated on December 16, 1946. Its purpose was education rather than direct political agitation, and in this respect, its intention was to supplement the work of such sister organizations as the Federation of American Scientists and the National Committee for Atomic Information whose chief concern was to influence government policy. The records of the Association of Scientists for Atomic Education comprise 2 linear feet and covers the period 1945 to 1948. They have been divided into three series: Papers of the National Office, New York City; Papers of the Regional Offices; and Conference and Subject Files. The records include correspondence, minutes, by-laws and documents of incorporation, financial records, newsletters, memoranda, and press releases. The regional offices included the Atlantic Region, Central Region, Chesapeake Region, Mountain Region, Pacific Region and the Southern Region. |
The collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is:
Association of Scientists for Atomic Education. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
The Association of Scientists for Atomic Education (ASAE) was incorporated on December 16, 1946, in Washington, D.C., the three incorporators being William A. Higinbotham, Joseph H. Rush and Mary Bernard. The purpose of ASAE, as their title suggests, was education rather than direct political agitation. And in this respect, its intention was to supplement the work of such sister organizations as the Federation of American Scientists, the National Committee for Atomic Information and the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, whose chief concern was to influence government policy. While directing its attention to the public, rather than to the government, the ASAE sought to create a broad base of informed public opinion, which it considered a more sure and constant guide to proper policy formation than direct but intermittent pressure. At the same time, membership, except in special cases, was restricted to those having a scientific background, so as to give the organization's pronouncements and activities a suitable amount of prestige and urgency in the public mind.
Their national headquarters was set up in New York, with six regional councils, individual members being enrolled in the appropriate regional organization. Financing was both by direct solicitation and through the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists. The activities of the ASAE were primarily the distribution of literature, the provision of lectures, demonstrations and films, press releases and policy statements. These were directed mainly to cooperating organizations, such as civic, educational and professional groups, but also directly to individuals. The ASAE worked in close co-operation with the Federation of American Scientists, the National Committee for Atomic Information and similar organizations, many of its leaders also being active in these groups. The ASAE flourished throughout 1947 and 1948, although constantly plagued by financial difficulties, after which time record of it ceases.
The records of the Association of Scientists for Atomic Education comprise 2 linear feet and covers the period 1945 to 1948. They have been divided into three series: Papers of the National Office, New York City; Papers of the Regional Offices; and Conference and Subject Files. The records include correspondence, minutes, by-laws and documents of incorporation, financial records, newsletters, memoranda, and press releases. The regional office include the Atlantic Region, Central Region, Chesapeake Region, Mountain Region, Pacific Region and the Southern Region.
Series I: Papers of the National Office, New York City |
| Box 1 Folder 1 | documents on the institution and general organization of the Association of Scientists for Atomic Education (ASAE), including constitution, by-laws and incorporation |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | National Office, Board of Directors, correspondence concerning meetings and personnel of Board (chronological) agenda and minutes of meetings (chronological) |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | National Office, Finances, general correspondence on finances (chronological); financial reports, statements, proposals and budgets (chronological) |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | National Office, Finances, general correspondence relating to financial relations with the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists (ECAS) (chronological); correspondence and documents relating to the national treasury (chronological) |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | National Office, Finances, correspondence and documents relating to fund raising (chronological); correspondence relating to legal matters affecting tax exemption (chronological) |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | National Office, Administration, correspondence on the activities of Arthur A. Brown (chronological); correspondence on the activities of Joseph H. Rush (chronological) |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | National Office, Administration, correspondence on information center (chronological) |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | National Office, Administration, correspondence on educational program (chronological); documents on educational program (chronological) |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | National Office, Administration, correspondence and documents on policy formation (chronological); correspondence on office management (chronological); correspondence on personnel (chronological) |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | National Office, Correspondence, correspondence with the Federation of Atomic Scientists (FAS); correspondence with the National Committee on Atomic Information (NCAI) (chronological); ASAE memoranda to regional councils and general membership (chronological); correspondence on the distribution of literature (chronological) |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | National Office, Newsletter ("Notations") |
Series II: Papers of the Regional Offices |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | correspondence and memoranda (chronological) |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Atlantic Region, Council, agendas and minutes of meetings (chronological); Working Committee, discussion summaries (chronological) |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Atlantic Region, policy and information papers; press releases |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | correspondence (chronological) |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | correspondence (chronological) |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Chesapeake Region, correspondence on financial affairs (chronological); documents on financial affairs |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | correspondence and documents |
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Correspondence (chronological); newsletter |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Pacific Region (NCASAE), minutes of meetings (chronological); miscellaneous documents |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | correspondence (chronological); minutes of meetings (chronological); miscellaneous documents |
Series III: Conferences and Subject Files |
| Box 3 Folder 1 | Chesapeake Region, letters and documents (chronological) |
| Box 3 Folder 2 | Conferences, Central Region, letters and documents (chronological); New England Region, letters and documents (chronological); Pacific Region, letters and documents (chronological); Southern Region, letters and documents (chronological) |
| Box 3 Folder 3 | Atomic bombings, August 6-7, 1945, accounts |
| Box 3 Folder 4 | Atomic bombings, August 8-14, 1945, accounts |
| Box 3 Folder 5 | Subject files, Atomic Energy Commission |
| Box 3 Folder 6 | Subject files, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, correspondence; Committee for Foreign Correspondence, correspondence, minutes of meetings |
| Box 3 Folder 7 | Subject files, Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, correspondence, documents; Federation of American Scientists, correspondence, documents |
| Box 3 Folder 8 | Subject files, General, documents |
| Box 4 Folder 1 | Subject files, League of Women Voters, correspondence, documents; Lectures, correspondence |
| Box 4 Folder 2 | Subject files, May Conference, correspondence; Midwest Contacts, correspondence; Military mind, documents; Movies, correspondence, documents |
| Box 4 Folder 3 | Subject files, Polls, correspondence, documents; Regional-personal, correspondence (A-Z); Schools, correspondence; Science in Society, document |
| Box 4 Folder 4 | Subject files, United Nations, documents; United World Federalists, documents; World Government, correspondence, documents |