Finding aid for the Oswald Veblen and Elizabeth Richardson Veblen papers
FAC.VEBLEN

Summary Information

Repository
Shelby White and Leon Levy Archives Center
Title
Oswald Veblen and Elizabeth Richardson Veblen papers and photographs
ID
FAC.VEBLEN
Date [bulk]
Bulk, 1948-1963
Date [inclusive]
1878-1963
Extent
11.0 linear feet 9 cartons and 4 boxes
Language
English

Preferred Citation note

The suggested citation for the material is "[item], Oswald Veblen and Elizabeth Richardson Veblen papers, Box [box number], From the Shelby White and Leon Levy Archives Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ, USA."

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Biographical note

A pioneer in the mathematical field of topology, Oswald Veblen (1880-1960) was one of the first Faculty of the Institute for Advanced Study, serving from 1933 until his death. Prior to joining the Institute, Veblen was a faculty member of Princeton University’s Department of Mathematics for twenty-seven years, where he was committed to improving research conditions in mathematics in the United States. He built Princeton University’s mathematics department into one of eminence in the United States and subsequently had enormous influence on the development of the Institute’s School of Mathematics. His wife was Elizabeth Richardson Veblen (1881-1974).

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Shelby White and Leon Levy Archives Center

Historical Studies-Social Science Library
Einstein Drive
Princeton
NJ, 08540
609-734-8375
archives@ias.edu

Conditions Governing Access note

The collection is open without restriction.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Materials note

The bulk of Oswald Veblen's papers are at the Library of Congress. There is a finding aid available online at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms011049. Additional Veblen family papers are at Carleton College. A finding aid is available online at https://archivedb.carleton.edu/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=2838

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Collection Inventory

From Institute 1876-1961  (Bulk, 1918-1961)   1.0 linear feet 2 boxes

Scope and Contents note

From Institute series contains a small amount of personal and financial records for the couple and other family members. The bulk of the collection consists of tax returns, but there are also birth and marriage certificates, passports, information on property owned, and wills and estate documents.
Box Folder

Account Book 1946-1961 

 1 1

Birth Certificates (for Oswald's birth in 1880 and Elizabeth's in 1881) 1901, 1921 

 1 2

Estate 1961 

 1 3

Household Help - Max Latterman 1953-1956 

 1 4

Income Tax 1918-1926 

 1 5

Income Tax 1927-1934 

 1 6

Income Tax 1935-1939 

 1 7

Income Tax 1940-1943 

 1 8

Income Tax 1944-1946 

 1 9

Income Tax 1947-1953 

 2 1

Income Tax 1954-1960 

 2 2

Income Tax 1961 

 2 3

Insurance Policies 1961-1962 

 2 4

International Congress of Mathematicians 1950 

 2 5

Maine Property 1916-1960 

 2 6

Marriage Certificate 1908 

 2 7

Marston Morse - National Academy-National Research Council Committee on Mathematics 1943 

 2 8

Passports 1932-1936 

 2 9

Richardson Family Matters 1878-1951 

 2 10

Stocks 1934-1958 

 2 11

Tributes 1960 

 2 12

Wills 1957-1960 

 2 13

Miscellaneous 1910, 1956 

 2 14

From Mercer County (see accession 2013.0023) 1902-1963  (Bulk, 1948-1963)   10.0 linear feet 9 cartons and 2 boxes

Scope and Contents note

From Mercer County contains papers, realia, and photographic materials belonging to Oswald and Elizabeth Veblen that were found in the house they donated to Mercer County along with acreage in Herrontown Woods. Includes personal correspondence and Christmas cards, financial records, postcards (both received and collected), and various personal effects. Also includes a small amount of Oswald Veblen's mathematical writings and teaching materials (including grading records for classes he taught at the University of Chicago in the early 1900s). There are many color photographic slides featuring the Veblens' travels in the U.S. and Europe from 1947 to 1959. There is also a smaller number of black and white photographic prints and negatives featuring the Veblens and others, including a number of photographs of the construction of Fine Hall at Princeton University. Also includes a plaque that was once mounted in Herrontown Woods in honor of the Veblens' donation.