Papers and correspondence of Alexander George Ogston, 1911-1996

The papers are not extensive, probably because of the period in Australia. They consist almost entirely of research notes and related correspondence arranged by topic. Ogston's main research interests included the thermodynamics of biological systems, particularly in relation to connective tissue, and the use of physico-chemical methods to study the size, weight and structure of molecules. Also represented is the important 'three-point attachment' contribution to stereochemistry. There is little biographical material or personal correspondence.

The supplementary papers provide documentation of some of Ogston's later scientific research, including research initiated on visits to Uppsala in September 1977 and the Institute of Cancer Research, Philadelphia, 1978-1979. There are also correspondence, notes and a draft paper with H.A. Krebs on the use of isotopic labels to measure the rate of gluconeogenesis, 1977-1980.

Ogston was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. Apart from a period as Freedom Research Fellow at the London Hospital, he spent most of his career at Oxford, being appointed Demonstrator (1938) and Reader (1955) in Biochemistry, and Fellow and Tutor in Physical Chemistry at Balliol (1937). In 1959 he took up an appointment as Professor of Physical Biochemistry at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University, Canberra where he remained until 1970 when he returned to Oxford as President of Trinity College. On his retirement in 1978 he held Visiting Fellowships at the Institute for Cancer Research, Philadelphia and the John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU. Ogston was elected FRS in 1955 (Davy Medal 1986).

By section as follows: Biographical and personal, Scientific research, Correspondence.

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Some items not available from 30 years from date of writing.

Printed Catalogues of the papers and correspondence of Alexander George Ogston: CSAC catalogue no. 98/2/84, 35 pp and NCUACS supplementary catalogue no. 24/9/90, 6 pp. Copies available from NCUACS, University of Bath.

Original material received for cataloguing in 1978 and 1980 by the Contemporary Scientific Archives Centre from Ogston. Placed in Bodleian Library (gift) in 1984.

Supplementary material received for cataloguing in 1988 by the National Cataloguing Unit for the Archives of Contemporary Scientists from Ogston. Placed in Bodleian Library (gift) in 1990