The collection contains both personal and professional papers of David L. Anderson. Personal papers include correspondence and items relating to Anderson's ministry, family, Navy service, health and car insurance, investments, and retirement. Professional papers exist for activities directly relating to Oberlin, and for external professional involvement. Included are correspondence, memoranda, notes, class syllabi, students' papers and exams, lecture outlines, drafts and final copies of books and articles written by Anderson, equipment and business trip records, grant applications, professional literature, and some photographs.

The David L. Anderson papers are arranged in ten series: I. Biographical Files, II. Harvard Classroom Records, III. Correspondence, IV. Committee Files, V. General Files, VI. Instructional and Student Files, VII. Ministerial Files, VIII. Miscellaneous Professional Files, IX. Writings File, and X. Drawings and Photographs.

These ten series contribute to the documentation of Anderson's adult life. Two series, I. Biographical Files and IV. Correspondence, span the entirety of these years. Anderson's undergraduate and graduate years at Harvard University are documented by classroom notes, laboratory reports, and assignments in series II, and by correspondence. A little light is shed on his time at Los Alamos and in the U.S. Navy during World War II largely through his service papers, and through Anderson's recollections recorded in newspaper articles, Harvard alumni bulletin autobiographies, and correspondence. Researchers are bound to long for more documentation relating to Anderson's involvement in the development of the atom bomb, an achievement with profound influence on world history, science, and culture.

Anderson's years living in Oberlin, Ohio, are documented thoroughly in several series. Again, his personal and family life are revealed through correspondence. "Extracurricular" service to Oberlin College and to the wider academic community is evident in the extensive committee files of series III, in the miscellaneous professional files of series VIII, and in the writings found in series IX. The bulk of Anderson's professional duties at Oberlin College-as an advisor, administrator, and instructor-are recorded in Series VI. Instructional and Student Files. Finally, Anderson's "second" career as an Episcopal priest is informed by Series VII. Ministerial Files. This series contains several folders of sermons made by Anderson through the years, at Christ Church in Oberlin, at college "Chapel Talks," and as a guest speaker at other churches and colleges.

In summary, Anderson's interests in science, the history of science, education, religion, and ethics are apparent in his papers. Woven together, these interests affected both his personal life and his work, clearly guiding his research, daily life, sermons, and speeches.

A few isolated folders, as marked, are restricted. They concern student and personnel issues.

Series I. Biographical Files, 1937-1992, 1997 (0.4 l.f.)

The biographical files are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Included are personal financial papers with family estate, insurance, investment, and property information. Biographical items-including autobiographical correspondence, birthday odes, clippings, U.S. Navy service papers, several curriculum vitae, who's who, memorial minute, and retirement papers-document David Anderson's personal life and career. The memorabilia folder houses World War II identification cards, a war ration book, a driving license, a copy of Anderson's marriage certificate, and a 1956 program from Anderson's ordination to the priesthood.

Series II. Harvard Classroom Records, 1937-1948 (1.45 l.f.)

The records of David Anderson's undergraduate and graduate years at Harvard University are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Notebooks are placed at the end of the series, followed by laboratory reports. Folders consist largely of classroom notes, papers, tests, and quizzes. Of interest is the essay "A Self Analysis," written by Anderson for his freshman composition course, English A, in 1937. Most other course folders are from the disciplines of mathematics or physics.

Series III. Committee Files, 1944-1984 (1.9 l.f.)

Anderson served on committees both at Oberlin College and external academic, community, or professional committees. Included are announcements, correspondence, memoranda, minutes, programs, and reports. Of note are the extensive records relating to the Mead-Swing Lectureship, 1944-1972, which include correspondence with potential and scheduled speakers, financial information, suggestions for lecturers, and programs. Some of Anderson's early committee files were relocated to Various Committees (RG 33).

Series IV. Correspondence, 1938-1994 (5.4 l.f.)

The David Anderson correspondence is divided into three subseries: personal, professional, and family. The first two subseries are arranged chronologically, with any already titled folders placed in alphabetical order at the rear of the subseries. Of note is the letter from Robert Oppenheimer and correspondence with Jim Fixx. Fixx was a student and personal friend of David Anderson; a program from Anderson's 1984 memorial service for Fixx appears in the "special services" folder of the Ministerial Files series. These folders are peppered by some amusingly critical letters to companies making claims to impossible products, which as a physicist, Anderson could debunk. (See May 7, 1980 letter to Vivitar Corporation.) Anderson freely wrote letters of praise, as well, commending responsible companies and good service. The file "History of College Physics Department, 1990-91" contains letters to Anderson from former Oberlin College Physics students. The letters were written in response to Anderson's request for reminiscences of the Physics Department and Professors Carl Howe, Forrest Tucker, and Lloyd W. Taylor. Anderson was asked to write a history of the Oberlin College Physics Department. The third subseries, consisting of letters to and from immediate family members, is arranged alphabetically by correspondent; the bulk of this subseries (2.5 l.f.) is made up of letters from Anderson's parents. This series provides a useful complement to the other series that address Anderson's personal and professional life.

Series V. General Files, 1947-1984 (0.6 l.f.)

The General Files series contains miscellany with folder titles designated by Anderson in his haphazard record-keeping. The series is divided into two subseries: alphabetical files and name files.

Series VI. Instructional and Student Files, 1948-1988 (3.3 l.f.)

The Instructional and Student Files represent David Anderson's work specifically as a teacher during his years at Oberlin College. Lecture notes, laboratory experiments, syllabi, grade books, daily handouts, and copies of exams for Anderson's astronomy and physics classes comprise the bulk of the series. These items are supplemented by papers relating to Anderson's work as an academic advisor, reference letter writer, and winter term project sponsor. Finally, students' written assignments-book reviews, exams, outlines, and papers-are also included.

Series VII. Ministerial Files, 1948-1993 (1 l.f.)

The files relating to David Anderson's life as an Episcopal deacon and ordained priest are arranged into two subseries: general files and chapel talks and sermons. Anderson's interests in education, ethics, and science entered his work for the Episcopal Church. These interests are also apparent in the conferences he attended, his sermons, and his guest speaking engagements. He served on the general committee of the Faculty Christian Fellowship, on the editorial board for The Christian Scholar, and worked with both the Church Society for College Work and the College Work Commission. Included in this series are correspondence, Anderson's Canonical Examinations, church service programs, conference schedules, committee minutes, miscellany, notes, sermons, and speeches.

Series VIII. Miscellaneous Professional Files, 1939-1987 (1 l.f.)

This series, arranged alphabetically by folder title, contains information pertaining to Anderson's work as a consultant, visiting teacher, lecturer, and conference attendee. The papers also document his work at Oberlin College from correspondence with Professor Lloyd W. Taylor, chairman of the Department of Physics, about Anderson's appointment in 1948 through departmental and self-evaluations over subsequent decades. Of interest are the folders titled "Professional Opportunities," which contain the correspondence of other colleges attempting to lure Anderson away from Oberlin College. Anderson's work as a consultant for the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools is also covered in this series, as are his sabbaticals at Harvard University, at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and in Kenya.

Series IX. Writings File, 1950-1984 (2.7 l.f.)

The writings of David Anderson, both published and unpublished, are arranged into three subseries: book reviews, articles, and books/studies/thesis. The series comprises largely professional, scientific literature in the form of book reviews and monographs, but some articles concern his work at Oberlin College and as an Episcopal priest. Included are typescripts, notes, data, revisions, and correspondence relating to his 1950 Harvard Ph.D. thesis, various articles and book reviews, letters to the editor, and the monographs The Discovery of the Electron, The Discovery of Nuclear Fission, and Discoveries in Physics. Anderson's published work was occasionally collaborative.

Series X. Drawings and Photographs, ca. 1937-1990, n.d. (0.2 l.f.)

The drawings and photographs series contains images of Anderson, of his friends and family, and of the physics building. While most are candid, one photograph is a formal portrait of Anderson in his Navy uniform; a negative exists for this image. One notable photograph shows a mushroom-shaped cloud rising above water in a tropical setting. Presumably, this image documents the Bikini Bomb tests, at which Anderson was present.

The papers of David L. Anderson were received in eleven accessions between 1970 and 2005.

For related materials the researcher is advised to consult the records of the Physics Department (RG 9/5), and the personal papers of Lloyd William Taylor (RG 30/97). See also the following articles in The Observer: 16 February 1984, p. 2 and 4; and 24 May 1984, p. 3. These are located in the clippings file of Series I.