C.B. Van Niel Papers

http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf8r29n9ww No online items

Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers

machine-readable finding aid created by Hui-chi Lo Stanford University. Libraries.Department of Special Collections and University Archives Stanford, California 2000 Copyright © 2015 The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University. All rights reserved. Note This encoded finding aid is compliant with Stanford EAD Best Practice Guidelines, Version 1.0.

Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers SC0325 1 Overview Call Number: SC0325 Creator: Niel, Cornelis Bernardus van, 1897-1986 Title: C.B. van Niel papers Dates: 1923-1977 Physical Description: 6.25 Linear feet Language(s): The materials are in English. Repository: Department of Special Collections and University Archives Green Library 557 Escondido Mall Stanford, CA 94305-6064 Email: [email protected] Phone: (650) 725-1022 URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc Custodial History Gift of the estate of C.B. van Niel,1985 Information about Access None. Ownership & Copyright Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives. Cite As [Identification of item], C.B. van Niel Papers, SC 325, Stanford University Archives, Stanford, Calif. Biography In 1929, Dr. C. B. van Niel (1897-1985) started his career as an associate professor at the Jacques Loeb Laboratory, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University. He was appointed Herzstein Professor of Microbiology in 1946. Dr. van Niel received his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Technical University, Delft, in 1923; in 1928 he was conferred a doctoral degree from the same University. His research, after coming to the Marine Station, was concerned mainly with photosynthesis, photosynthetic bacteria, and bacterial taxonomy. However, Dr. van Niel--Kees to his colleagues and students-- was interested in a much broader spectrum of questions and encouraged investigations on wider range of phenomena in his laboratory. His lectures attracted not only Stanford students, but students around the country. The numerous well-written lecture/seminar notes in this collection, mostly with diagrams and images that he planed to draw on blackboard, illuminate how well he prepared for these lectures. Although he enjoyed a friendly relationship with these students, the "gang", he was rigorous in their academic training. A long letter (hand-written first and then typed) to one of his doctoral students with detailed instruction on the student's dissertation shows van Niel as a serious and responsible professor. By devoting an enormous amount of time translating articles published by Dr. Kluyver, van Niel's advisor at Technical University, and Dr. Pringsheim, van Niel showed his gratitude and respect to his senior microbiologists and their works. Same attitude can be seen from publications of the later part of his career. In these articles he analyzed old and current articles on the subject he was dealing with and provided well-woven stories on research history. Probably because of his appreciation of history, (among his papers is a bibliography on American history, possibly given to him by a history professor) he wrote an autobiography, "The Education of a Microbiologist: Some Reflections." (1967), which sums up his major scientific achievements and his teaching career. Dr. van Niel also actively participated in academic/professional associations such as the Society of American Bacteriologists in the 1950s and the American Type Culture Collections in the 1960s. However, as he recalled in his autobiography, these and other activities were taking up too much of his time and gradually made direct participation in experimental study difficult. He finally decided to retire from the Marine Station in 1962. From 1964 to 1968 he taught at U.C. Santa Cruz as a visiting professor. After 1972, he threw out his collection of reprints and scientific books and totally gave up research and teaching. Death took him in 1985. Scope and Content

Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers SC0325 2 The van Niel papers primarily document C. B. van Niel's career at the Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, his participation in preeminent scientific associations, and his role as a leader in the field of microbiology. The papers include ATCC documents, teaching materials, research notes, publications, correspondences, photographs, audiotapes, and medals. The American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) papers delineate activities of the association when van Niel served as a board member in the early 1960s. Teaching Materials include course outlines, exam questions, lecture notes, and seminar notes, written between 1929 and 1968. Publications include his articles published from 1923 to 1972. Many of the hand-written drafts and galley proofs accompany these publications. The records of van Niel's research in the Yellowstone National Park, including admission letter, experimental summary, notes, and drafts, are grouped together under the article's title, Report on Preliminary Observations on the Microflora in and Near the Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Part and Their Importance for the Geological Formation, to preserve its entirety. Research Files mainly comprise his experimental summaries, experimental procedures, notes, charts, and bibliographies. Van Niel's correspondence (1924-1977) centers on themes of research, publication, and student's dissertations. One exception is a letter to his son on personal matters. Correspondents include C. E. Clifton (1904- ), Seymour S. Cohen (1919- ), Lois Epel, Helge Larsen, Jack London [a student from UCLA], Beryl V. Daniel, J. R. Porter, Hosmer W. Stone, and Charles H. Walkinshaw. When compiling SELECTED PAPERS OF E.G. PRINGSHEIM, van Niel corresponded with Dr. Pringsheim, Mrs. Pringsheim, Selman A. Waksman (1888-1973), and Vernon Bryson (1913- ) between 1960 and 1964. These letters, together with the galley proofs for this book, are put under the series of SELECTED PAPERS OF E.G. PRINGSHEIM. Dr. Kluyver's Birthday Celebration and Obituary includes van Niel's writings about his teacher, Dr. Kluyver (1888-1956), the telegram to van Niel about Kluyver's death in 1956, and many obituaries written by other scholars. The photographs files include images of microbiology, people (mostly scholars) and landscapes. Important medals van Niel won from 1939 to 1977 demonstrate him as a leading figure in science. Audiotapes recorded van Niel's 1962 lectures on experiments. Oversized Materials are certificates of honorary doctoral degree, honorary member, and award. Access Terms American Type Culture Collection.. Bryson, Vernon,, 1913- Clifton, C. E.,, 1904- Cohen, Seymour S., (Seymour Stanley), 1917- Daniel, Beryl V. Epel, Lois. Hopkins Marine Station -- General subdivision--Faculty.; Larsen, Helge. London, Jack,, 1876-1916. Porter, J. R. Pringsheim, Ernst G., (Ernst Georg), 1881- Stone, Hosmer W. Waksman, Selman A., (Selman Abraham), 1888-1973. Walkinshaw, Charles H. Algae. Bacteria--Classification. Biochemistry. Candida albicans. Microbiology. Photosynthesis. Photosynthetic bacteria.

American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

Box 1, Folder 1 Budgets, 1960 Box 1, Folder 2 Budgets, 1961-1962 Box 1, Folder 3 Budgets, 1963

Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers SC0325 3 American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

Box 1, Folder 4 Budgets, 1964-1965 / Unknown Dates Box 1, Folder 5 Correspondence Box 1, Folder 6 Minutes / Agendas, 1961-1962 Box 1, Folder 7 Minutes / Agendas, 1962 Box 1, Folder 8 Personnel Records Box 1, Folder 9 Policies / Constitution / Memo / Proposal, 1961-1964 Box 1, Folder 10 Policies / Constitution / Memo / Proposal, 1961-1964 Box 1, Folder 11 Reports Box 1, Folder 12 Symposium Programs Teaching Materials

Box 2, Folder 1 1929-1931 Box 2, Folder 2 1932 Box 2, Folder 3 1932-1933 Box 2, Folder 4 1935-1938 Box 2, Folder 5 1940-1941 Box 2, Folder 6 1941 Box 2, Folder 7 1942-1951 Box 2, Folder 8 1952-1954 Box 2, Folder 9 1954 Box 2, Folder 10 1955-1958 Box 3, Folder 1 1958 Box 3, Folder 2 1959-1961 Box 3, Folder 3 1961 Box 3, Folder 4 1961 Box 3, Folder 5 1962 Box 3, Folder 6 1962 Box 3, Folder 7 1962 Box 3, Folder 8 1962-1963 Box 3, Folder 9 1964 Box 3, Folder 10 1964 Box 4, Folder 1 1966 Box 4, Folder 2 1966-1967 Box 4, Folder 3 1967 Box 4, Folder 4 1967 Box 4, Folder 5 1968 Box 4, Folder 6 1968 Box 4, Folder 7 1968 Box 4, Folder 8 1968 Box 4, Folder 9 Unknown Date Box 4, Folder 10 Unknown Date Publications

Box 5, Folder 1 Lists of Dr. Van Niel's Publications; and The Absence of Enhancement (Emerson Effect) in the Photosynthesis of Rhodospirillum Rubrum, 1963 Box 5, Folder 2 The Bacterial Photosyntheses and Their Importance for the General Problem of Photosynthesis, 1941 Box 5, Folder 3 Biochemical Problems of the Chemo-Autotrophic Bacteria, 1943 Box 5, Folder 4 The Biochemistry of Bacteria, 1937 Box 5, Folder 5 The Biochemistry of Micro-Organisms: An Approach to General and Comparative Biochemistry, 1940 Box 5, Folder 6 Book Reviews, A Brief Survey of the Photosynthetic Bacteria, 1927,1928, 1952, 1963, 1965, Unknown Date; 1963 Box 5, Folder 7 Bacteria. Chapter 3 of Ward and Whipple's Freshwater Biology, 1945 Box 5, Folder 8 Bacteria. Chapter 3 of Ward and Whipple's Freshwater Biology, 1945 Box 5, Folder 9 A Chemical Approach to the Problem of Biological Syntheses. Box 5, Folder 10 The Concept of Bacterium, 1962

Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers SC0325 4 Publications

Box 5, Folder 11 The Comparative Biochemistry of Photosynthesis, Delft School, The Education of a Microbiologist: Some Reflections, 1949 1949; 1967 Box 5, Folder 12 The Education of a Microbiologist: Some Reflections, 1967 Box 6, Folder 1 The Education of a Microbiologist: Some Reflections, 1967 Box 6, Folder 2 Experiments on Bacterial Denitrification, 1952 Box 6, Folder 3 Enzymatic Synthesis of Dextian. The Free Amino Groups of the Proteus Flagella Protein. Insect Microbiology. Introductory Remarks on the Comparative Biochemistry of Microorganism, 1953 Box 6, Folder 4 John M. Prather Lectures, 1955 Box 6, Folder 5 The Chemistry and Physiology of Growth, Lipmann's Concepts of the Metabolic Generation and Utilization of Phosphate Bond Energy: A Historical Appreciation, Lipmann Dedicatory Volume: Notice to Contributors. 1949 1966 Box 6, Folder 6 Bacterial Metabolism. In McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Bacteriology. In McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, and Microbiology. In McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 1960; 1960; 1960 Box 6, Folder 7 The Mechanism of Propionic Acid Formation and Succinate Decarboxylation. Box 6, Folder 8 The Microbe as a Whole, 1955 Box 6, Folder 9 A Note on Pseudomonas Stutzeri, 1952 Box 6, Folder 10 Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 1966 Box 6, Folder 11 Microbiology and Molecular Biology, A Note on the Apparent Absence of Azotobacter in Soils, 1966 1935 Box 7, Folder 1 On the Mechanism of Ballistospore Discharge, 1972 Box 7, Folder 2 On the Energetics of the Photosyntheses in Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1952 Box 7, Folder 3 On the Energetics of the Photosyntheses in Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1952 Box 7, Folder 4 On the Metabolism of Candida Albicans, 1942 Box 7, Folder 5 On the Metabolism of Candida Albicans, 1942 Box 7, Folder 6 On the Metabolism of the Thiorhodaceae, 1936 Box 7, Folder 7 On the Morphology and Physiology of the Purple and Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1931 Box 7, Folder 8 On the Morphology and Physiology of the Purple and Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1931 Box 7, Folder 9 On the Morphology and Physiology of the Purple and Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1931 Box 8, Folder 1 On the Morphology and Physiology of the Purple and Green Sulfur Bacteria, 1931 Box 8, Folder 2 On the Photochemical Reduction of Nitrate by Algae, 1953 Box 8, Folder 3 On Photosynthesis in the Presence of Hydroxylamine. Box 8, Folder 4 On the Purple Bacteria and Their Significance for the Study of Photosynthesis, 1931 Box 8, Folder 5 On the Purple Bacteria and Their Significance for the Study of Photosynthesis, 1931 Box 8, Folder 6 On Radicalism and Conservatism in Science, 1955 Box 8, Folder 7 Photosynthetic Process of Purple Bacteria. Box 8, Folder 8 Photosynthesis of Bacteria, 1930 Box 8, Folder 9 Prospects for a Natural System of Classification of Bacteria, 1936 Box 8, Folder 10 Perspectives in Microbiology. Box 8, Folder 11 Radioactive Carbon as an Indicator of Carbon Dioxide Utilization, 1942 Box 8, Folder 12 Reflection on Evaluation and Spontaneous Generation. Box 8, Folder 13 Report on Preliminary Observations on the Microflora in and Near the Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park and Their Importance for the Geological Formation, 1930 Box 8, Folder 14 Report on Preliminary Observations on the Microflora in and Near the Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park and Their Importance for the Geological Formation, 1930 Box 8, Folder 15 Report on Preliminary Observations on the Microflora in and Near the Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park and Their Importance for the Geological Formation, 1930 Box 8, Folder 16 Techniques for the Enrichment, Isolation and Maintenance of the Photosynthetic Bacteria, 1971 Box 8, Folder 17 Ueber die Beweglichkeit und das Vorkommen von Geiszeln bei einigen Sarcina-Arten, De wijzen van voortbeweging van Mikroorganismen, Notiz uber die quantitative Bestimmung von Diacetyl Acetyl-Methylcarbinol, Les Photosyntheses Bacteriennes, 1923 1926 1927 1936 Box 9, Folder 1 Articles: Title Unknown. Research Files

Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers SC0325 5 Research Files

Box 9, Folder 2 Subject, A-E Box 9, Folder 3 Subject, F-M Box 9, Folder 4 Subject, M Box 9, Folder 5 Subject, M Box 9, Folder 6 Subject, N-Q Box 9, Folder 7 Subject, R Box 9, Folder 8 Subject, R Box 9, Folder 9 Subject, R Box 9, Folder 10 Subject, S Box 10, Folder 1 Subject, S-V Box 10, Folder 2 Subject, W-Z Box 10, Folder 3 Notebook Box 10, Folder 4 Notebooks Correspondence

Box 10, Folder 5 Out-going Letters by Dr. Van Niel, 1924, 1942-1952 Box 10, Folder 6 Out-going Letters by Dr. Van Niel, 1955-1977 Box 10, Folder 7 In-coming Letters, A-J Box 10, Folder 8 In-coming Letters, L Box 10, Folder 9 In-coming Letters, M-W Box 10, Folder In-coming Letters, Sender Unknown Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim

Box 11, Folder 1 Correspondence for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim, Symposium Program, Symposium in Celebration of Dr. Pringsheim's 80th Birthday, 1960-1961; 1961 Box 11, Folder 2 Correspondence for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim, 1962-1964 Box 11, Folder 3 Correspondence for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim, date unknown Box 11, Folder 4 Publications and Galley Proofs for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim Box 11, Folder 5 Publications and Galley Proofs for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim Box 11, Folder 6 Publications and Galley Proofs for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim Box 11, Folder 7 Publications and Galley Proofs for Selected Papers of E.G. Pringsheim Dr. Kluyver's Birthday Celebration and Obituary

Box 11, Folder 8 "Professor A, J, Kluyver." By Dr. Van Niel, In celebration of Dr. Kluyver's Birthday Box 11, Folder 9 Kluyver's Obituaries Other Scholar's Publications / Papers

Box 12, Folder 1 Author, A-C Box 12, Folder 2 Author, C Box 12, Folder 3 Author, C Box 12, Folder 4 Author, C Box 12, Folder 5 Author, C Box 12, Folder 6 Author, D-G Box 12, Folder 7 Author, H-I Box 12, Folder 8 Author, K-L Box 12, Folder 9 Author, L Box 13, Folder 1 Author, L Box 13, Folder 2 Author, M-N Box 13, Folder 3 Author, O-Q Box 13, Folder 4 Author, R-S Box 13, Folder 5 Author, S-W Box 13, Folder 6 Author Unknown Box 13, Folder 7 Student Paper, Author Unknown Photographs

Box 14, Folder 1 Sporobolomyces Cultures Box 14, Folder 2 Sporobolomyces Cultures Box 14, Folder 3 Sporobolomyces Cultures

Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers SC0325 6 Photographs

Box 14, Folder 4 Microbiology Box 14, Folder 5 People Box 14, Folder 6 Landscape Box 15 Medals

Third International Congress for Microbiology, 1939 Princeton University Bicentennial, 1946 George Westinghouse Centennial, 1946 L'Institut Pasteur, 1955-1956 Scientiae Medicinae Artiqve Salvtari, 1958 Koninklijke Nederlands Akademie van Wetenschappen, 1958 National Academy of Sciences Centennial, 1963 National Academy of Sciences Centennial, 1963 Rumford Medal for Discoveries in Light or Heat, 1967 Rumford Medal for Discoveries in Light or Heat, 1967 American Society for Microbiology, 1974 Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina, 1977 Emil Chr. Hansen, Unknown Date Institut Pasteur, Unknown Date Toegewezen Door de Koninklijke Akademie van Wetenschappen te Amsterdam, Unknown date National Medal of Science, Unknown Date Audiotapes

Box 16, Reel 6 (5 Yeast Cake c. viability of cells (Lab I) 6/25/-- of 8) Box 16, Reel 9 Wild Yeast A. Fruit and Flower Yeasts 13 Ham Yeasts (Lab II) Box 16, Reel 12 (3 General Yeast Experiments C. Fermentation (Lab III) of 4) Box 16, Reel 13 General Yeast Experiments. C. Fermentation D. Dalmau E. Trigonopsis Variabilis F. Nuclear Stains G. Sporobolomyces H. Mucor Racemosus (Lab III) Box 16, Reel 14 Lactic Acid Bacteria A-B (Lab IV) (1of7) Box 16, Reel 15 Lactic Acid Bacteria B (Lab IV) (2of 7) Box 16, Folder 17 Lactic Acid Bacteria B (Lab IV) (4 of 7) Box 16, Reel 19(6 Lactic Acid Bacteria C. Experiments With Isolates (Lab IV) of 7) Box 16, Reel 22 (1 Coliform Bacteria A-B (Lab VI) of 6) Box 16, Reel 23 (2 Coliform Bacteria B-F Experiments (Lab VI) of 6) Box 16, Reel 25 (4 Coliform Bacteria F Experiments (Lab VI) of 6) Box 16, Reel 26 (5 Coliform Bacteria F Experiments (Lab VI) of 6) Box 16, Reel 27 (6 Coliform Bacteria F Experiments (Lab VI) of 6) Box 16, Reel 28 (1 Acetic Acid Bacteria A-D Experiments With Isolates (Lab VII) of 3) Box 16, Reel 28 (5 Developmental History of Yeasts (Lecture X) 7/9/62 of 5) Box 16, Reel 29 (2 Acetic Acid Bacteria D. Experiments With Isolates (Lab VII) of 3) Box 16, Reel 30 (2 Patterns of Sugar Fermentations by Yeasts (Lecture XI) 7/11/62 of 2)

Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers SC0325 7 Audiotapes

Box 16, Reel 30 (3 Acetic Acid Bacteria D. Experiments With Isolates (Lab VII) of 3) Box 16, Reel 31 Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria A-E (Lab VIII) Box 16, Reel 31 (1 Classification and Nomenclature of Yeasts (Lecture XII) 7/13/62 of 4) Box 16, Reel 32 (2 Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria (Lab VIII) of 2) Box 16, Reel 33 Corynebacteria, Nocardia, Mycobacteria, Arthobacteria (Lab IX) Box 16, Reel 34 (4 Classification and Nomenclature of Yeasts (Lecture XII) 7/13/62 of 4) Box 16, Reel 35 Luminous Bacteria (Lab XI) Box 16, Reel 35 (1 Lactic Acid Bacteria A (Lecture XIII) 7/11/62 of 3) Box 16, Reel 36 (2 Lactic Acid Bacteria A (Lecture XIII) 7/11/62 of 3) Box 16, Reel 37 (2 Lactic Acid Bacteria A (Lecture XIII) 7/11/62 of 3) Box 16, Reel 37 (3 Lactic Acid Bacteria A, Section 2 Gram Stain (Lecture XIII) 7/11/62 of 3) Box 16, Reel 38 (1 Enterobacteriaceae or Coli Group A (Lecture XIV) 7/16/62;7/30/62 of 3) Box 16, Reel 39 (2 Enterobacteriaceae or Coli Group A (Lecture XIV) 7/16/62;7/30/62 of 3) Box 16, Reel 40 (3 Enterobacteriaceae or Coli Group A (Lecture XIV) 7/16/62;7/30/62 of 3) Box 16, Reel 41 (1 Role of Microorganisms in Nature, With Emphasis on Nitrogen Fixation (Lecture XV) of 1) 7/16/62 Box 16, Reel 73 (4 Fermentations of the Enterobacteriaceae (Lecture XXVII) 8/3/62;8/6/62 of 4) Box 17 Oversized Materials

Certificate for the American Society for Microbiology Honorary Member Diploma for Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, University of California Certificate for the National Medal of Science, 1963

Guide to the C.B. van Niel Papers SC0325 8