Philip Duncan Thompson Papers
Collection
Identifier: - 06-PDT
These papers document the career of Philip Duncan Thompson (1922-1994), whose research focused on the large-scale dynamics of the atmosphere, numerical weather prediction, and the statistical theory of hydrodynamic turbulence. The materials cover his career as a regular officer in the United States Air Force in meteorology beginning in World War II, continuing at the Institute for Advanced Study's Electronic Computer Project, the Air Force Cambridge Research Labs, the Joint Numerical Weather Prediction Unit, MIT, and the University of Stockholm. Much of the collection documents his critical administrative work for the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, where he served in many directorial positions. The papers consist of correspondence, memoranda, reports, speeches and lectures, articles and manuscript drafts, teaching materials, notes and calculations, clippings, awards, printed matter, photographs, oral histories, and other materials.
Dates
- 1944-1990s
- Majority of material found in 1960-1989
- Other: Date acquired: 19940900
Creator
- Thompson, Philip Duncan (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Some materials in the collection are restricted, contact the Archivist for access. Select materials in the Financial and Correspondence/Memoranda subseries and the Personal series are restricted.
Conditions Governing Use
Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.
Extent
33.00 Linear Feet
Arrangement
Arrangement is by material type.
The collection consists of ten series in twenty-two boxes:
Series I: NCAR/UCAR
Subseries A: Administration
Subseries B: Board and committee materials
Subseries C: Financial materials
Subseries D: Reports
Subseries E: Program/Project files
Subseries F: Research files
Subseries G: Meetings and conferences
Subseries H: Trips
Series II: United States Air Force
Subseries A: Miscellaneous
Subseries B: Orders
Subseries C: Reports
Subseries D: Trips
Series III: Personal
Subseries A: Education
Subseries B: Biographical materials
Series IV: Correspondence and memorandum
Series V: Presentations and speeches
Series VI: Publications
Series VII: Organizations
Subseries A: AMS
Sub-subseries 1: Presidency materials
Sub-subseries 2: Committee materials
Sub-subseries 3: Conference materials
Subseries B: NASA
Subseries C: CAS
Subseries D: WMO
Series VIII: Raw data
Subseries A: Charts and graphs
Subseries B: Calculations and equations
Subseries C: MIZZI printouts
Series IX: Visual materials
Subseries A: Photographs
Subseries B: Awards
Subseries C: Oral histories
Series X: Miscellaneous
Subseries A: Press releases/Newsletters
Subseries B: Reports
Subseries C: Subject files
Subseries D: Unidentified materials
Physical Access Requirements
The collection must be viewed in the Archives during normal business hours.
Custodial History
The majority of materials were transferred from Thompson's NCAR office to the Archives. Some other materials were retained and stored by the family until they were donated in 2000.
Source of Acquisition
NCAR Climate and Global Dynamics Division
Method of Acquisition
Materials were collected from Thompson's NCAR office after his death in 1994. Additional materials were donated by Thompson's family in 2000.
Appraisal Information
Publications were examined for Thompson's handwritten notes. Those containing his notes were retained, all others were discarded. Copies of photographs beyond 1 copy, copies of documents beyond 2 copies, and routine correspondence were discarded.
Accruals and Additions
No further accruals are expected.
Processing Information
Processing was completed in December 2009. Upon acquisition, materials had little order.
Materials were re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Documents were interleaved with acid-free paper as needed and visual materials were housed in archival sleeves. Metal fasteners were removed and replaced with plastic clips when needed. Folded materials were un-folded and flattened when possible.
Correspondence materials are arranged by the sender.  When the sender sent two or more pieces of communication, those materials were placed in their own folder and titled by the sender's name. All other correspondence was arranged alphabetically in one folder and labeled "A-Z."
Materials are arranged by type and folders are arranged alphabetically by title. Oversize materials are located in box 22, arranged by type and then alphabetically.
Materials were re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Documents were interleaved with acid-free paper as needed and visual materials were housed in archival sleeves. Metal fasteners were removed and replaced with plastic clips when needed. Folded materials were un-folded and flattened when possible.
Correspondence materials are arranged by the sender.  When the sender sent two or more pieces of communication, those materials were placed in their own folder and titled by the sender's name. All other correspondence was arranged alphabetically in one folder and labeled "A-Z."
Materials are arranged by type and folders are arranged alphabetically by title. Oversize materials are located in box 22, arranged by type and then alphabetically.
Creator
- Thompson, Philip Duncan (Person)
- Author
- Diane Rabson revised by Colleen M. McCorkell
- Date
- 20100203
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- eng
Revision Statements
- 2009-12: The finding aid was revised in December 2009.
Repository Details
Part of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Archives Repository
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