Guide to the Collections of the Royal Institution of Great Britain (as filmed by the AJCP)
M2015-M2020
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2018
Online Items
Fonds. Royal Institution Archives: Records of Secretary, Rev. O. Barlow, 1840 - 1869
Filmed selectively.
Fonds. Faraday Papers, 1838 - 1870
Fonds. Tyndall Papers, 1851 - 1894
Filmed selectively.
Series 5/C12. Correspondence, November 1851 - January 1894
G.B. Airy to Tyndall, 13 December 1866 (File 12)
Purchase of collection of scientific instruments for South Australian Institute. (Case I).
Sir John Herschel to Tyndall, 9 January 1852 (File 2)
Application by Tyndall for Sydney post rejected. (Case I) (Plus typescript).
Tyndall to Sir John Herschel, 8 November 1851 (File 1)
Applies for Chair of Experimental Philosophy and Chemistry at Sydney University. (typescript copy, p.493).
Thomas Henry Huxley to Tyndall, 4 December [1851] (File 1)
Hopes Tyndall will obtain Sydney post; refers to visit to Sydney on H.M.S. Rattlesnake. (typescript copy, p.2855).
J.F. Mann (Southampton) to Tyndall, 19 January 1858 (File 1)
Recalls lectures at Royal Military Academy; visit to Australia and observation of Indigenous Australians. (typescript copy, pp.778-79).
Sir John Herschel to Tyndall, 10 November 1851 (File 1)
Receipt of testimonials and application for post at Sydney University. (Case I) (Plus typescript).
G.W. Rusden (Maggiore) to Tyndall, n.d. (File)
Despatch of book on New Zealand; Alps. (Case VI, Packet XIX).
Tyndall to G.W. Rusden, 17 March 1888 (File)
Thanks for book; destruction of Maori race by English settlers. (Case VI, Packet XIX).
J. Tidmarsh to Tyndall, 12 December 1860 (File 5)
Recalls old times in Ireland; has done well in Australia. (Typescript copy, pp.3874-76).
J. Tidmarsh to Tyndall, 2 November 1889 (File 6)
Invites Tyndall to do lecturing tour in Australia. (typescript copy, pp. 3877-78).
'Reminiscences of J. Tyndall'. South Australian Register. (typescript copy, pp.3879-81), 24 January 1894 (File)
Tyndall to J. Tidmarsh, 24 February 1861 (File 3)
Old friends; current activities. (typescript copy, p. 3872)
G.H. Wilson (Wellington) to Tyndall, 2 November 1874 (File 1)
Sends cuttings on Tyndall's Presidential Address to British Association. (Case II)
Besson (San Francisco) to Tyndall, 14 October 1892 (File 1)
Account of rainbow reflected in sea observed at Tahiti; refers to Tyndall's book Light. (Case VIII)
Fonds. William Bragg Papers, 1886 - 1962
Series. Miscellaneous Correspondence and Notes, August 1888 - May 1938
R.W. Chapman (Adelaide) to Bragg, 12 July 1937 (File C/10 (Box 2))
Thanks for congratulations: appointment of W.L. Bragg to National Physical Laboratory; Chapman's career at Adelaide University; pride of Adelaide in Bragg's achievements.
H.T. Ferrar (Wellington) to Bragg, 30 July 1925 (File B/3 (Box 3))
Examination of structure of ice in Antarctic; inquires about crystal structure of ice.
O. Hahn (Berlin) to Bragg, 12 March 1908 (File C/8 (Box 3))
Thanks for papers; discusses work on β rays.
O. Hahn to Bragg, 18 July 1908 (File C/9 (Box 3))
Experimental study of secondary β rays produced by γ rays of actium; controversy about experiments on velocity of rontgen ray.
Bragg to D. Kerr, 30 April 1904 (File D/38 (Box 3))
Suggestions for lectures for mathematics teachers; address to Collegiate Schools Association.
T.H. Laby (Cambridge) to Bragg, 21 August 1908 (File A/1 (Box 4))
Seeks article for Science Progress; thanks for reprints.
H. Lamb (Manchester) to Bragg, May 1906 - November 1907 (File A/2-6 (Box 4))
Nomination of Bragg for Fellowship of Royal Society; death of P. Curie; G. Duffield; work on new edition of Hydrodynamics; appointment of E. Rutherford to Manchester University; W.L. Bragg; Chair of Physics at Leeds University. (5 letters).
E.F.J. Love (Melbourne) to Bragg, July 1905 - May 1907 (File A/41-43 (Box 4))
Bragg's disc theory of atom; radium research; A.C.D. Rivett; J.J. Thomson. (3 letters).
T.R. Lyle (Melbourne) to Bragg, December 1903 - January 1913 (File A/57-62 (Box 4))
Bragg's γ ray experiments; theory on expenditure of energy of α particles; paper on self-inductance of coils; sends paper for Philosophical Magazine. (6 letters).
J.P.V. Madsen (Adelaide) to Bragg, 28 December 1906 (File C/4 (Box 4))
Problem of electrometer deflection; experiments with α and β rays.
O. Masson (Melbourne) to Bragg, October 1906 (File C/21-22 (Box 4))
Bragg's ionisation figures; atomic values for various compounds. (2 letters).
J.A. Pollock (Sydney) to Bragg, June 1907 - March 1908 (File A/38-41 (Box 5))
Thanks for papers; Pollock's work on neutral ions; work of J.J. Thomson on critical energy for non-capture. (4 letters).
H. Schwerdtseger (Adelaide) to Bragg, 31 October 1940 (File A/3 (Box 6))
Thanks for enabling him to obtain refuge in Australia.
Soddy (Glasgow) to Bragg, October 1904 - July 1907 (File A/23-48 F (Box 6))
Publication of papers; despatch of pure radium bromide; verification of Daltonian idea on atoms; investigation of absorption phenomena; E. Rutherford; criticisms by G.W. Walker of ionisation theory; paper on relative ionisation of uranium and thorium; death of P. Curie; J.J. Thomson; academic appointments; despatch of liquifier; election of Bragg as Fellow of Royal Society; despatch of argon and helium; Chair of Physics at Leeds University. (26 letters)
W. Sutherland (Melbourne) to Bragg, July 1905 - January 1908 (File B/18-23 (Box 6))
Theory of Meyer on disc-like structure of atoms; theory of J.J. Thomson on cessation of ionizing power in α; Bragg's square root law and significance for dynamics of atom; paper on ionisation and new type of viscosity. (6 letters).
Bragg (Adelaide) to J.J. Thomson (Cambridge), 10 August 1904 (File C/10 (Box 6))
Differences in absorption phenomena of α and β rays; paper sent to Philosophical Magazine; experiment by Becqueul on magnetic deflection of α rays.
Bragg (Adelaide) to R. Threlfall (Sydney), August 1888 - April 1892 (File C/17-24 (Box 6))
Visit to Sydney; deduction of elementary electrostatic theorems form Maxwell's elastic medium theory; thanks for assistance on electrical theories; magnetic resistances of various circuits. (9 letters).
J.P. Willmott (East Maitland) to Bragg, 6 January 1915 (File B/21 (Box 7))
Sends notes on magnetism of earth (5pp.); relative motion of charged body on another body.
W.G. Woolnough (Sydney) to Bragg, 11 April 1923 (File B/27 (Box 7))
Career as field geologist; Bragg's work on hardness of minerals; structure of diamond and cuprite.
Bragg to W.G. Woolnough, 19 May 1923 (File B/28 (Box 7))
Woolnough's observations; structure of cuprite.
N.L. Wright to F.E. Smith and Bragg, May 1934 - April 1935 (File B/34-41 (Box 7))
Seeks advice on query from E. Marsden on variations in beneficial effects of limonites fed to cattle suffering ion deficiency; despatch of samples of limonites. (8 letters, including 2 replies from Bragg).
Sir George Murray (Adelaide) to Bragg, 4 September 1928 (File A/14 (Box 8))
Congratulations of University of Adelaide on Presidency of British Association. (cable)
J.A. Pollock (Sydney) to Bragg, 7 March 1902 (File A/1 (Box 10))
Urges Bragg to apply for Chair at Sydney University; names selection committee.
F. Soddy (Glasgow) to A. Smithells, January 1907 (File A/2-3 (Box 10))
Recommends Bragg for Chair of Physics at Leeds University; Bragg's career; refers to his visit to Adelaide. (2 letters)
W. Cassie to Bragg, 9 February 1907 (File A/4 (Box 10))
Thanks for paper for Philosophical Magazine; nomination of Bragg for Fellowship of Physical Society.
Bragg to E. Rutherford, [November 1907] (File A/7 (Box 10))
Advantages of move to McGill University. (draft).
W. Rutt (Adelaide) to Bragg, November 1915 (File B/21-22 (Box 10))
Congratulations of Royal Society of South Australia on Nobel Prize and Barnard Gold Medal.
Bragg (Adelaide) to Secretaries, Royal Society, 6 June 1907 (File A/1 (Box 11))
Election as Fellow of Royal Society. (draft)
Sir Samuel Way (Adelaide) to Bragg, 1 December 1915 (File A/12 (Box 11))
Congratulation of Council of Adelaide University on Nobel Prize; death of R. Barr Smith.
Series Box 14. Autobiography, c.1927
Draft of autobiography by Bragg, c.1927 (File E/1 (Box 14))
Family history; childhood in Market Harborough, Leicestershire; education at King William's College and Cambridge University; voyage to Australia; arrival in Adelaide; meeting with Todd Family. (31pp.)
Series Box 26. Bragg-Rutherford Correspondence, August 1904 - May 1913
Filmed selectively.
E. Rutherford (Montreal, Manchester) to Bragg, October 1904 - July 1908 (File A/1-16 (Box 26))
Absorption of alpha rays; radium work; revised edition of book; Bragg's papers on mathematical development of ionisation in thick and thin layers; paper on ionisation and recombination; Silliman Lectures; growth of radium in solutions of actinium; Rutherford's move to Manchester; Chair of Mathematical Physics at McGill University; Bragg's results with gamma rays; appointment of Bragg to Leeds University; work of other scientists. (16 letters).
Bragg (Adelaide) to E. Rutherford, August 1904 - October 1908 (File B/1-25 (Box 26))
Differences in absorption phenomena of alpha and beta rays; ionisation of gases; isolation in Adelaide; recombination of ions; F. Soddy; discovery of radioactive mineral in South Australia; actinium experiments; offer of post at McGill University; offer of Chair at Leeds University; experiments with secondary x-rays. (24 letters, xerox copies)
Series Box 27. Royal Institution Administration files, May 1924 - January 1928
Filmed selectively.
Natalie Allen (Melbourne) to Bragg, 25 May 1924 (File A/77 (Box 27))
Wishes to do x-ray research under Bragg's supervision.
T.H. Laby (Melbourne) to Bragg, 29 May 1924 (File A/78 (Box 27))
Requests Natalie Allen be admitted as research student at Davy-Faraday Laboratory.
Natalie Allen (Melbourne) to Bragg, May 1926 - December 1926 (File B/19-21 (Box 27))
Discovery of crystal structure of Benzil; inquires about publication. (2 letters)
Series Box 28. Correspondence and Autobiography, c.1886 - February 1962
Filmed selectively.
Bragg (Adelaide) to W.L. and R. Bragg, n.d. (File A/1 (Box 28))
Visit to Sir Charles Todd; exhibition of painting.
Series Box 36. Correspondence of Lawrence Bragg, March 1942
Letters of condolence to Sir Lawrence Bragg on death of his father. Filmed selectively.
Series. Notebooks and Papers, (13 vols.), 1890s-c.1965
Kept by Bragg while carrying out research on radioactivity at Adelaide University.
Notebook (c.138pp.), 24 April 1907 - 30 December 1907 (File 9)
Notebook No. 9 includes a letter from Registrar of Melbourne University to Bragg, 13 Dec. 1907 requesting a report on doctoral thesis of E.F.J. Love, 'Some applications of thermodynamics'.
Notebook kept by Bragg at Adelaide University (193pp.), 1890s (File)
Subjects include systems of conductors; magnetic shell; variations of energy in electro-magnetic field; magnetic theory; Hobart address; paper by J.J. Thomson on electromagnetism; paper by Lord Rayleigh on self-induction; Sydney examination papers; currents in multiple circuits.
Folder of newspaper cuttings, 1893 - 1909 (File)
Many of cuttings are incomplete or dilapidated and some are undated. Subjects include University extension lectures (1895), lectures on Rontgen photography (1896), Queen's School Sports Day (1899), lecture on radioactivity (1903), Australiasian Association for Advancement of Science Congress, Dunedin (1904), lecture on radium (1905), unveiling of statue of Sir Walter Hughes at Adelaide University (1906), lecture on alpha rays of uranium and thorium (1906), A.A.A.S. Congress, Adelaide (1907); election of Bragg as Fellow of Royal Society (1907); annual meeting of Lady Victoria Buxton Girls Club (1908); departure of Bragg from Adelaide (1908); A.A.A.S. Congress, Brisbane. (1909).
Recollections of Stanley Addison (4pp), c. 1965 (File)
Typescript recollections of Stanley Addison, a laboratory assistant at Adelaide University 1899-1909, written in about 1965. They refer to Addison's previous work for an Adelaide doctor, his admiration of Bragg, Bragg's early life and his research on x-rays and radium.
Fonds. Lawrence Bragg Papers, 1921 - 1970
Series Box 3. Speeches and lectures, September 1960 - December 1966
Filmed selectively.
Series Box 10. Correspondence on honours and appointments, October 1936 - June 1966
Filmed selectively.
A.L. Rogers (Adelaide) to Bragg, 12 October 1936 (File)
Claim that wireless message in Southern Hemisphere was sent in Tasmania in 1900; Sir William Bragg sent first message on 8 July 1899.
H. Darnley Naylor (Keswick) to Bragg, 6 May 1937 (File 32)
Congratulations on appointment as Director of National Physical Laboratory.
Bragg to J.L. Pawsey, 22 November 1960 (File)
Congratulations on award of Hughes Medal of Royal Society.
Series Box 31. General Correspondence, February 1949 - April 1970
Filmed selectively.
Series Box 38. Old Files, October 1960 - November 1961
Series Box 42. Letters of Congratulation, March 1938
Filmed selectively.
Series Box 44. Correspondence with English-Speaking Union of Commonwealth, December 1957
Filmed selectively.
Series Box 50. Miscellaneous Correspondence, February 1947 - July 1968
Filmed selectively.
Correspondence between Sir David Rivett (Melbourne) and Bragg, 5 February 1947 - 24 April 1947 (File)
Includes:Rivett to Bragg (05/02/1947): congratulations on award of Ripley Medal; rumour that M. Oliphant will not come to Canberra.Bragg to Rivett (24/04/1947): Thanks for congratulations; M. Oliphant.
Margaret Anderson (Hobart) to Bragg, 5 July 1947 (File)
Seeks information for lecture on H.G.J. Moseley.
Lord Bruce to Bragg, 13 February 1950 (File)
Thanks for paper 'The standards of advanced studies and research in science and technology; refridgeration problem.'
Sir Ernest Marsden to Bragg, 15 February 1959 (File)
Impending departure for Tasmania; hopes to see Bragg.
Correspondence between P.F. Butler and Felicity Annand, 4 January 1962 - 11 January 1962 (File)
IncludesButler to Annand (04/01/1962): Seeks copy for C.S.I.R.O. of talk by Bragg on art of lecturing on scientific objects.Annand to Butler (11/01/1962): Sends copy of talk.
Bragg to Sir Cyril Hinshelwood, 26 January 1965 (File)
Account of early researches in physics of Sir William Bragg at Adelaide.
Katherine O'Brien (Canberra) to Bragg, 14 January 1965 (File)
References to Sir Charles Todd in Ernestine Hill's The Territory.
Bragg to L. Baillaud, 18 October 1965 (File)
Confirms that Bragg did not study physics at school; education in Adelaide.
Correspondence between Sir Mark Oliphant (Canberra) and Bragg, 29 March 1966 - 4 April 1966 (File)
includes;Oliphant to Bragg (29/03/1966) Requests reminiscences of Adelaide days and Sir William Bragg for Records of Australian Academy of Science.Bragg to Oliphant (04/04/1966) Wishes to defer article.
Bragg to Sir Mark Oliphant, 13 October 1966 (File)
Reminiscences of Sir William Bragg; his research methods; hobbies; house in Adelaide; nostalgia for Australia; Lord Rutherford; holidays in South Australia.
Correspondence- Lord Florey to Bragg, and R. Bleaney to Bragg, 5 December 1966 - 10 December 1966 (File)
includes;Florey to Bragg (05/12/1966) Monash University; doubts about cooperation between three Melbourne universities.R. Bleaney to Bragg (10/12/1966): Inaccessibility of Monash University; suspects lectures would cause ill-feeling at Melbourne University.
Series Box 56. Personal Correspondence of Lawrence Bragg, January 1948 - January 1954
Filmed selectively.
Eileen Rogers (Adelaide) to Bragg, 18 January 1948 (File)
Offers to send letters of Sir William Bragg to her father Arthur Rogers; Adelaide University Library.
Sir Kerr Grant (Adelaide) to Bragg, 22 May 1950 (File)
Seeks sources for lecture at Queensland University on life and work of Sir William Bragg.
Eileen Rogers (Adelaide) to Lady Bragg, 14 December 1950 (File)
Christmas greetings; visit to St Peter's College.
R.H. Chapman (Adelaide) to Bragg, 2 September 1951 (File)
Possible visit by Bragg to Australia; work on protein molecule.
Alice Terry (Bristol) to Bragg, 23 May 1952 (File)
Sends correspondence on article on overland telegraph; biography of Sir Charles Todd by Lorna Todd.
Series Box 57. Correspondence, May 1957 - July 1965
Filmed selectively.
Bragg to M. Oliphant, 15 May 1957 (File)
Interest in lecturing in Australia; invites Oliphant to give Royal Institution discourse.
I.J. Ball (Adelaide) to Bragg, 3 July 1958 (File)
Press report about Black Hamburgh vine growing at home of Sir Wallace Sandford in Adelaide.
Beatrice Beare to Bragg, 30 May 1960 (File)
Visit to England with Lilias Needham; letter from Lorna Todd.
Correspondence between F. Carr and Bragg, November 1963 - March 1964 (File)
Photocopies and other materials on Sir Charles Todd. (7 letters)
Series Box 67. Letters on T.V. Series, 'The nature of things', December 1961 - February 1962
Filmed selectively.
Series Box 69. Overseas Visits, September 1960 - November 1960
Visit to Australia, October 1960 - November 1960 (File E)
Correspondence, May 1959-Dec. 1962, concerning arrangements for travel and lectures, visits to universities, research institutes and other bodies, social events, Einstein Memorial Lecture at Adelaide, election of Bragg as Honorary Member of Royal Society of N.S.W., and visit of Sir Mark Oliphant to Britain for Royal Society's Tercentenary celebrations. Principal correspondents are Sir Mark Oliphant (Canberra), H. Basten (Adelaide), A.L. Reimann (Brisbane), A.D. McRonald (Adelaide) and F.G. Lennox (Melbourne). Other correspondents include E.L. Allen (Brisbane), C.J. Connell (Brisbane), E.J. Drake (London), G.R.A. Ellis (Camden), Alice Fisher (Adelaide), R.D.B. Fraser (Melbourne), G.B. Gresford (Melbourne), C. Grimshaw (Brisbane), Sir Eric Harrison (London) D.K.R. Hodgkin (Canberra), Rita Knight (Sydney), H. Messel (Sydney), H.R. Millard (Sydney), C.J. Milner (Sydney), E.E. O'Farrell (Hobart), Sir William Oliver (Canberra), J. Reid (Somers, Victoria) F.H. Schubert (Adelaide), R.A. Smith (Armidale), J.R. Somerville (Armidale), Lorna Todd (Adelaide), H.C. Webster (Brisbane), F. White (Melbourne), N.F. Williams (Sydney), H. Wood (Sydney)...
Visit to New Zealand, September 1960 - October 1960 (File Q)
Correspondence, April 1959-Nov. 1961, concerning arrangements for travel, lectures and broadcasts, visits to universities and research institutes, social events, Rutherford Memorail Lecture at Canterbury University, conferral of Doctorate of Science by University of New Zealand and election of Bragg as Honorary Member of Royal Society of New Zealand. Principal correspondents are Sir Ernest Marsden (Wellington), R.S. Allan (Christchurch), K. Mees (Honolulu) and M. Wood (Wellington). Other correspondents include G. Arehey (Auckland), A. Bowman (Nelson), F.E. Cumming-Bruce (Wellington), Sir George Currie (Wellington), J.K. Dixon (Wellington), J.B. Earnshaw (Auckland), D.C.W. Florance, D. Hall (Auckland), R. Livesey (Taupo), D.C. Martin (London), J.T. Salmon (Wellington), P. Smithells (Dunedin), F.G. Soper (Dunedin), D. Studholme (Dunedin), W.H. Taylor (Cambridge)...
Series Box 77. Research Notes and Correspondence, October 1921 - March 1952
Filmed selectively.
D.C.W. Florance (Hong Kong) to Bragg, 2 October 1921 (File Box 77 B.114)
Thanks for information on x-ray equipment; Hong Kong University visit to Australia and New Zealand - changes since 1911.
J.M. Bruckshaw (Australia House) to Bragg, 11 June 1930 (File Box 77 D.114)
T.H. Laby; wishes to do geophysical research at Manchester University.
J.M. Bruckshaw to Bragg, 19 June 1930 (File Box 77 D.119)
Encloses scheme of research submitted to Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
H. Hirst (Melbourne) to Bragg, 9 April 1938 (File 102)
X-ray apparatus; research on lead alloys; difficulty in finding research students.
C. Thompson (Melbourne) to Bragg, 26 May 1938 (File 1-4)
Sends second instalment of thesis and notes by son, A.L. Thompson.
Series Box 93. Correspondence on Royal Institution Discourses, May 1954 - November 1963
Filmed selectively.