Walter Gordy papers, 1935 - 1986

Navigate the Collection

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:
Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Records, such as search committee files or others pertaining to employment where individuals are...
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Gordy, Walter, 1909-1985
Abstract:
Walter Gordy (1909-1985) was a James B. Duke Professor of Physics at Duke University. In his over thirty year career at Duke, he founded and directed the Duke Microwave Laboratory, and researched and published extensively. The Walter Gordy Papers include correspondence, bibliographies, vita, articles, speeches, notebooks, teaching materials, illustrations, photographs, and graphs of experimental results. Major subjects include microwave spectroscopy, microwave radar, the Duke Microwave Laboratory, Army research Office , Durham (ARO-D), and the Duke Department of Physics. English.
Extent:
37.5 Linear Feet
29,000 Items
Language:
English.
Collection ID:
UA.29.02.0034
University Archives Record Group:
29 -- Papers of Faculty, Staff, and Associates
29 -- Papers of Faculty, Staff, and Associates > 02 -- Individuals

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes correspondence, bibliographies, vita, articles, speeches, notebooks, teaching materials, illustrations, photographs, and graphs of experimental results. The materials date from approximately 1935 to 1986. Gordy's professional career, particularly his work at Duke, is well represented. Much of the material stems from his research in the Duke Microwave Laboratory. The correspondence in the collection is mainly professional. A few materials, such as trip souvenirs, represent Gordy's personal life.

Biographical / historical:

Walter Gordy was born on April 20, 1909 in Newton County Mississippi. After receiving a B.A. from Mississippi College in 1932, he received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1932 and 1935, respectively. From 1935 to 1941, Gordy served as a professor of physics at Mary Hardin-Baylor College in Texas. He then worked at Cal Tech with Linus Pauling and later in the Radiation Kabiratirt at MIT.

In 1946, Gordy joined the faculty of the Duke University Department of Physics. During his tenure, he contributed to the development of microwave radar and microwave spectroscopy through his work in the Duke Microwave Laboratory, which he founded and headed. He published many articles and four books, and was a member of numerous professional organizations. In 1958, Gordy was named a James B. Duke Professor. Gordy died in Durham on October 6, 1985. He was survived by his wife of fifty years, Vida.

Acquisition information:
The Walter Gordy Papers were received by the University Archives as a gift in 1989 (A89-0062, A89-99) and a transfer in 1993 (A93-36, A93-40) and 2007 (UA2007-0023).
Processing information:

Processed by Valerie Gillispie

Completed July 29, 2003

This collection is partially processed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.

Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, July 30, 2003

Updated by Sherrie Bowser, June 2007

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives, Duke University.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Microwaves -- Research
Microwave spectroscopy
Physics -- Research
Physics -- Experiments -- Methodology
Physics -- Study and teaching
Format:
Slides (photographs)
Photographs
Negatives (photographic)
Names:
Duke University. Department of Physics
Gordy, Walter, 1909-1985
Gordy, Walter, 1909-1985

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

Records, such as search committee files or others pertaining to employment where individuals are identified, are closed for 70 years.

Unprocessed materials are closed pending processing.

In off-site storage; 48 hours advance notice is required for use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Walter Gordy Papers, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.