CHERRY, Colin (1914-1979)

Papers of Professor Colin Cherry, [1928]-1981, comprising biographical papers, 1935-1981, notably index of reports on experiments at Northampton Polytechnic, 1935-1936; press cuttings, 1961-1974; work diaries, 1962-1977; scientific notes and diagrams, [1928]-1950, mainly relating to elastic field analogies, periodic structures, transformers, electric and magnetic circuits; papers whilst with Imperial College Electrical Engineering Department, 1953-1977, comprising papers relating to lectures, tutorials, seminars, symposiums, minutes and correspondence relating to an undergraduate group project scheme; papers relating to postgraduate lectures, 1950-1979, notably concerning circuit theory, communication; correspondence with staff, lectures for the London School of Economics, and Imperial College groups, 1951-1978; correspondence and reports relating to research projects and grants in the Communications Section, 1949-1977, including for stammering, communication developments and population, telephone services; research papers and notes of students, 1968-1978, correspondence with students, 1947-1971, concerning higher degrees, 1957-1967; correspondence and papers, largely concerning outside lectures, conferences and visits, 1948-1979, with professional, technical and educational institutions, societies, clubs, publishers, companies and some individuals; correspondence with the Institution of Electrical Engineers, 1946-1976, including notes and scripts; unpublished papers, 1952-1962; correspondence relating to book publications, 1952-1978; published scientific papers and articles, 1940-1977; typescript of chapters of The Age of Access: Information Technology and Social Revolution , correspondence with the publishers, 1978-1979; recordings of talks and lectures, 1963-1976.

Born, St Albans, 1914; student with General Electric Company Research Laboratories, 1932-1936; at the same time studied at Northampton Polytechnic, London, BSc, 1936, MSc, 1940; research staff of General Electric Company, 1936-1945; attached to the Radar Research Establishment, Malvern, 1939-1945; Lecturer, Manchester University, 1945; Lecturer, Imperial College, 1947; Reader in Telecommunication, Imperial College; Professor of Telecommunication, Imperial College, 1958; Marconi International Fellowship, 1978; died, 1979. Publications:On Human Communication (MIT Press, Wiley, 1957); World Communication: Threat or Promise (Wiley, 1971); The Age of Access: Information Technology and Social Revolution (completed by Dr W E Edmondson); numerous scientific papers on theory of electric circuits, telecommunication principles and the psychology of speech and hearing.

Researchers wishing to consult the Archives should first contact the College Archivist, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, for an appointment.

The papers were transferred to the College Archives after Professor Cherry's death in 1979, with the agreement of Mrs Heather Cherry.

A catalogue is available in the reading room of the College Archives.

Correspondence with Charles Alfred Coulson, 1948-1950, held at Oxford University, Bodleian Library, Special Collections and Western Manuscripts (reference: CSAC60/4/78).

A photocopying service is available at the discretion of the Archivist. Photocopies are supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Archivist.

Records of the Department of Electrical Engineering (KEE), correspondence with Lord Jackson, 1950-1969, (B/JACKSON), held at Imperial College Library.