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Edwin H. Hall papers

 Collection
Identifier: M264

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Scope and Content

Published papers and texts by Hall make up the bulk of the collection. Also included are biographical material, diplomas, Hall's notebook with class notes taken while he was an undergraduate, and two photoprints of Hall by Bachrach Studios.

Dates

  • Creation: 1874-1939

Creator

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Biographical/Historical Note

Edwin Herbert Hall, known to physicists as the discoverer of the Hall effect, was born November 7, 1855 in Gorham, Maine. After attending Gorham Seminary, he entered Bowdoin at age 15 and graduated with an A.B. in 1875. During 1875-1876 he served as principal at Gould's Academy in Bethel, Maine, and during 1876-1877 he was principal at Brunswick High School. In 1877 he entered Johns Hopkins University as a graduate student of physics, receiving a Ph.D. in 1880. Hall received an honorary LL.D. degree from Bowdoin in 1905, but spent most of his career at Harvard, where he taught from 1881 until 1921. Besides the Hall effect which he discovered while working on his Ph.D., Hall was notable for contributions to the teaching of physics and was made the first honorary member of the American Association of Physics Teachers. A writer, he authored physics textbooks as well as scientific papers. Hall died on November 20, 1938 in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the age of 83.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Published papers and texts by Hall, notebooks, biographical materials, and photographs.

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Edward H. Hall Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/index.shtml
Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.