Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Adrienne Glenney, Student Assistant, and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2003.012
Title
George Collins Papers 1952-1993
Quantity
2 Cubic Feet, 3 boxes, 1 oversize folder
Creator
Collins, George
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
These papers are comprised mostly of correspondence from George B. Collins' time as Chairman of the Brookhavens Cosmotron
Department. The collection also contains travel vouchers, research proposals, travel reports, and materials relating to Collins'
work as a professor at University of Notre Dame and at Virginia Tech.
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University
Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization
form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition
form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with
forms or to submit a completed form.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder],
George Collins Papers, Ms2003-012, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
This collection was acquired by Special Collections and University Archives in 2003.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the George Collins Papers was completed in September 2013.
George Collins, a physicist, particle experimentalist, educator, and administrator, earned a PHD with R.W. Wood at Hopkins
studying UV Spectroscopy. Collins was a Professor at Notre Dame working on nuclear excitation and disintegration. He was responsible
for the construction of a nuclear accelerator for the Notre Dame Nuclear Physics lab in 1935. He worked with Dr. Jose Caparo.
In 1935, the accelerator was Notre Dames largest nuclear physics- related project to that date. The accelerator was the source
of several decades research on nuclear physics, much of which was headed by Collins. At MIT he assisted the war effort in
the Radiation Laboratory, developing radar for military purposes. He taught at University of Rochester and served the Department
of Physics as Chairman. He was in charge of construction and operation of the 240 MeV synchrocyclotron and initiated, with
Robert Marshak the Rochester Conferences. He was Chairman of Brookhaven's Cosmotron Department and a Fulbright fellow in Belgium.
Late in his career he came to Virginia Tech and taught physics from 1968 to 1976.
The collection contains a variety of materials, but consists primarily of Collins' correspondence from the 1950s through the
1970s, including his time as a professor at Virginia Tech. Other materials include professional papers, notes from speeches
and papers, and travel reports. The collection includes a few photographs, as well as memorabilia from his time teaching at
Notre Dame.
Framed photograph of Collins and physics colleagues. Pictured from left to right is A. Salam, Robert F. Bacher, Isidor Rabi,
George Collins, and W.M. Powell
undated
oversize folder: 1
University of Notre Dame Nuclear Physics Reunion Poster