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COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Correspondence with colleagues, students, publishers, libraries, and individuals concerning the research for his book Michael Faraday (1965) and its publication, his own and colleagues' writings on other subjects in the history of science, lectures given for various groups and institutions, teaching positions and graduate work in the history of science, and professional meetings (1958-66); manuscripts and typescripts of the Faraday book and Williams's The Origins of Field Theory (1966) and drafts and copies of articles and lectures (1951- ); and other material pertaining to his work as a Cornell professor.

Also photocopies of journal articles, made in the course of research for a planned book on science in the 19th century (which was never written). Also, offprints of German journal articles, dating mainly from 1900-1929, on quantum theory, relativity theory, and cathode rays, with a few articles on biochemistry, a few on the history and philosophy of science, and two microscope catalogs. Authors represented include Philipp Lenard, Lise Meitner, Wilhelm Wien, Ernst Haeckel, Albert Kölliker, Erwin Schrödinger, and Emil Fischer. Microfilm of manuscript material from research libraries concerns Michael Faraday and John Dalton.

Also videocassette: "Notorious Note-Taking Lecture," August 29, 1990.

Additional research and teaching notes include material for Williams's book The History of Science in Western Civilization (1977); notes for a year-long survey course on the History of Technology (1986-1987); transcripts and photocopies of Michael Faraday's correspondence; and outlines and a partial draft for a planned book on the 18th century. An inventory of Prof. Williams's home library (since dispersed) is also included.