John Desmond Bernal: Scientific and Personal Papers

This material is held atCambridge University Library

  • Reference
    • GB 12 MS Add.8287
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1950 (Circa)
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English .
  • Physical Description
    • 118 archive box(es) 118 boxes
      8 rolled item(s) 8 rolls
      2 volume(s) 2 volumes
      1 bundle(s) 1 packet
      1 envelope(s) 1 envelope

Scope and Content

A. Scientific Writings (24 boxes) 1.1-1.2. Books; 2.1-2.10. Contributions to books; 3.1-3.225. Periodicals; 4.1-4.60. Unpublished writings. B. Non-scientific Writings (33 boxes) 1.1-1.12. Books; 2.1-2.21. Contributions to books; 3.1-3.392. Periodicals; 4.1-4.115. Unpublished writings; 5.1-5.69. Broadcasts. C. Birkbeck College (1 box) 1-11. Correspondence, photographs, visitor's books, lectures, annual reports, etc. D. War (2 boxes) 1-13. Diaries, correspondence, photographs, maps, reports, notes, etc. E. Peace (8 boxes) 1-17. Correspondence and papers dealing with various countries; congresses and meetings; World Peace Council; conferences; press; and other papers. F. Science Policy (2 boxes) 1-14. Correspondence and papers. G. Special Activities (1 box) 1.1-1.5. Ghana, University Education; 2.1-2.7. Meteorite Research; 3. Crystal Data Centre. H. Scientific Organisations (6 boxes) 1-33. Papers of organisations to which Bernal belonged or was closely associated. I. Non-scientific Organisations (3 boxes) 1-47. Papers of organisations to which Bernal belonged or to which he was closely associated. J. Correspondence (9 boxes) 1-269. Correspondence with individuals and with organisations to which Bernal did not belong. K. Publishers (1 box) 1-35. Correspondence. L. Meetings and Visits (5 boxes) 1-87. Correspondence concerning the organisation of meetings and visits. M. Scientific Notes and Ideas (2 boxes) 1-24. Notes found at Birkbeck and among other papers, arranged alphabetically by topic. N. Non-scientific Notes and Ideas (2 boxes) 1-12. Notes arranged alphabetically by topic where possible. O. Personal (10 boxes) 1-24. Biographical material, family letters, last illness, greetings, certificates, diaries, and miscellaneous other material. P. Material collected after 15.9.1971 (3 boxes) 1-17. Correspondence; obituaries; papers of Anita Rimel, Bernal's P.A., 1940s-1969; and other material. Q. Miscellaneous 1-4. Scrolls (7); analysis of a Picasso drawing (1 envelope); the 1948 plans of Riley House (1 packet); and an album containing press cuttings (1 volume). R. Restricted material (6 boxes)

Access Information

Section R is closed to readers until 2021.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Mrs Eileen Bernal and deposited on permanent loan by the Governors of Birkbeck College, London, 1972-1973 and 1979.

Other Finding Aids

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.