Lawrence Langer papers, 1938-2003 (bulk 1945-2000)
A Guide to his Papers at the Indiana University Archives
Finding aid prepared by Jessica Ballard
Summary Information
Repository
Indiana University Archives
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library E460
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-1127
Email: archives@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives
Creator
Langer, Lawrence Marvin, 1913-2000.
TitleLawrence Langer papers, 1938-2003 (bulk 1945-2000)
Collection No.
C628
Extent
1 cubic foot
(1 box)
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
Lawrence M. Langer was a physics professor at
Indiana University. Aside from Langer’s work as an IU faculty member, Langer is widely known
for his work on the atomic bomb that was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. The Langer papers
represent much of Langer's life during World War II but also features projects and
publications that he worked on throughout his career as a physicist.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.
Biographical Note/Administrative History
Lawrence M. Langer was born on December 22, 1913 in New
York City. After attending New York University where he received his B.S. (1934), M.S.
(1935), and Ph.D. (1938), he joined the Indiana University faculty as an Instructor in of
Physics in 1938. At Indiana University, he continued to advance
in the faculty ranks until his retirement in 1979 with the title of Professor Emeritus of
Physics. He served as Chair of the department from 1965-1970. Notably during World War II, Langer took a leave of absence from IU to
assist with the National Defense project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to
develop the atomic bomb. Langer died on January 17, 2000.
Arrangement
Collection is organized into three series: Biographical, War-related papers, and Research
and correspondence.
Scope and Content Note
Langer's collection reflects his work as a scientist and Indiana University professor. The
collection is mainly correspondence, biographical information such as newspaper clippings,
former students' curriculum vitae, and publications relating to the study of physics. Many
of the publications were published by the IU physics department. Much of the collection
discusses Langer’s participation in the development of the atomic bomb from World War
II.
The collection is organized into 3 series. The Biographical series features biographical
information (1945-2001) ranging from newspaper clippings
discussing his work on the atomic bomb during WWII to his basic information such as a
curriculum vitae. This series also includes information relating to his employment at IU and
his memorial service such as speeches and donations. The second series, War-related papers
(1943-1993), includes identification cards, awards from
the war department, and correspondence from his time at Los Alamos. The final series,
Research and publications (1947-2003), includes Langer's notes as well as published works
written by himself and with collaborators.
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Indexing Terms
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The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
IUCAT, the IU Libraries' online catalog.
Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by searching the catalog
using these terms.
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Separated Material
Slides, lantern slides and photographs have been transferred to the Archives Photograph Collection.
Related Material
Related photographs may be available in the
University Archives
Photographs Database
.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Accession 2004/109
Usage RestrictionsThe donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University.
For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.
The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for
non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility
for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials.
Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these
materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.
Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational
and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its
inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.
Preferred Citation
[Item], Lawrence Langer papers, Collection C628, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Provenance
Transferred to the IU Archives in 2004 by Dan Miller, IU Cyclotron Operations.
Processing InformationProcessed by Jessica Ballard.
Completed in 2016
Container List
Series:
Biographical, 1945-2001
Scope and Content
Newspaper clippings relating to his contribution in WWII in the
Indianapolis Star,
Herald Times, the
Journal Gazette,
Sunday Herald
Times
and
The Wall Street Journal as well as a
Curriculum vitae
Box 1
Curriculum Vitae of Former Students, 1988
CVs of former students (most were employed in the physics field)
Indiana University, 1962-1988
Mostly correspondence relating to his employment at IU.
Letters and Memorial Donations, 1945 ,
2000-2001
Correspondence mostly to Mrs. Langer regarding donations to organizations to honor
her husband Lawrence Langer. Sympathy cards, and a copy of a letter from 1945
regarding a military mission.
Memorial Speeches, 2000
Typed speeches from IU colleagues and for a PowerPoint presentation, letter to Mrs.
Langer about a donation made in honor of her husband.
Memorial Materials, 2000
2 programs, 1 pamphlet, 1 article in the fall from the Department of Physics
newsletter. Invitation to Langer's memorial service, responses for who will and will
not be able to attend.
Memorial Resolution, 2001
A short biography of Langer and request for the resolution to become part permanent
part of the minutes at the Bloomington Faculty Council.
Retirement Dinner, 1979
Correspondence regarding Langer’s retirement, drafts of thank you notes from Langer,
pamphlet on Langer’s professional work and pamphlet on retiring faculty in 1979.
Series:
War-related papers, 1943-1993
Box 1
Los Alamos
Business Documents, 1943-1945
Receipts, notes, and war department information
Correspondence, 1956-1957
Correspondence between Langer and the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory.
Information Pamphlets: 1963 , 1966 , 1968 , 1983 , 1984 , 1993
Descriptions of different projects that occurred on the lab, anniversary
celebrations, and visitor guides.
Newspaper Clippings, 1983
Discusses how the Los Alamos project came into existence and the other projects
that came into existence.
Awards and certificates, 1945, 1951, and undated
"Daily Mission" newsletter, August 7, 1945
Identification cards, 1944-1945
Series:
Research and correspondence, 1947-2003
Box 1
Articles on Physicists, 1990-2003
Magazine and newspaper clippings describing various physicists, most of whom were
instrumental in the atomic bomb project and affiliated with IU.
Collected papers of L.M. Langer, 1936-1979
(3 folders)
Mostly published works by Langer (also co-published), Langer's CV, and a pamphlet
with Langer's published works.
Collected publications by non IU physicists, 1941-2001
(3 folders)
Works relating to physics and by authors affiliated with other universities.
Correspondence and works, 1955 , 1962 , 2002
Drafts and translations, regarding a meeting in 1941 related to a WWII mission.
Time magazine article about the mission of the atomic
bomb.
Correspondence –
Little Boy and
Fat Man, 1997
Note sent to Langer and copy of Coster-Mullen's draft for manuscript
Little Boy and
Fat Man.
Jaeger, Alfred and J.H. Hamilton, 1979-1982 , 2000
Mostly Correspondence between Dr. J.H. Hamilton, correspondence from Alfred Jaegar,
correspondence between Dr. Konopinski and Vincent Sellers regarding a review, and
correspondence sent to Bea Langers from J.H. Hamilton.
Israel trip, 1957
Correspondence regarding conference information for the International Conference of
Nuclear Structure.
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, 1959
Business documents and correspondence with Lager regarding a project
Notes
Electronic binder and an electronics reference sheet, undated
Electricity and Magnetism, undated
Newton physics binder and article,
A-W Chart of
Nuclear Data
, undated
Nuclear physics, undated
Radioactivity, nuclear reactions, undated
Collected fusion, undated
Also includes clippings from
Bulletin of the Atomic
Scientists
1960,
Science and
Technology
1962, article
Los Alamos National
Cab
1982
University Correspondence, 1938-1948
Correspondence with various Indiana University administrators regarding salary
changes, promotions, conferences, temporary leave during the war.
