Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

James S. Trefil papers, Collection #C0084, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by James Trefil in 2003 and 2011.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections and Archives staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in March 2009. The finding aid was updated by Greta Kuriger in April 2011.

Biographical Information

Physicist and author James S. Trefil is known for his writing and his interest in teaching science to nonscientists. He is a Fellow of the APS and a former Guggenheim Fellow. His numerous books and articles include works written for general audiences. He co-authored The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (3rd ed., 2002) and in 1992 published The Facts of Life (Harold Morowitz, co-author). Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy, was co-authored with Robert Hazen in 1991, and in 1995 they published The Sciences: An Integrated Approach. Dr. Trefil's A Scientist in the City appeared in 1994. Are We Unique: A Scientist Explores the Complexity of the Human Brain appeared in 1997. The National Geographic Society published his book Other Worlds: The Solar System and Beyond in 1999. He was the general editor of The Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (2002) and co-author of Good Seeing: a Scientific History of the Carnegie Institution. His most recent book is The Laws of Nature (2002). He is a regular contributor to Smithsonian Magazine and was previously University Professor and Professor of Physics at the University of Virginia. In 2000 American Institute of Physics chose him to receive the Andrew W. Gemant Award, presented for outstanding and sustained contributions in bridging the gap between science and society. During 2003-2004, he was a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar.

Scope and Content

Collection contains materials pertaining to the research and career of Dr. Trefil. Types of materials include correspondence, research notes, notes from courses both taken and taught, book manuscripts, and information pertaining to conferences he attended.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged both alphabetically by subject and chronologically.

Related Material

Special Collections and Archives also holds the Harold Morowitz papers.

Index Terms

Persons:

• Trefil, James S., 1938-

Subjects:

• Science--Study and teaching (Higher)--United States.

Adjunct Descriptive Data