Guide to the Papers of Silas W. Holman MC.006 Finding aid prepared by Marcus Verduchi This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit July 6, 0 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections 006 MIT Libraries Building N-8 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, Massachusetts, 09-07 67..690 mithistory@mit.edu
Table of Contents Summary Information... Biography... Scope and Contents of the Collection... Arrangement note... Administrative Information... Controlled Access Headings... Bibliography...6 Collection Inventory... 7 Correspondence...7 Research Notes... 8 Teaching Materials...8 Writings...0 Published Materials... Family Correspondence and Memorabilia... - Page -
Summary Information Repository Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections Creator Holman, Silas W. (Silas Whitcomb), 86-900 Title Silas W. Holman papers Date [bulk] Bulk, 88-900 Date [inclusive] 87-90 Extent. cubic feet ( record cartons, legal manuscript box) Location Materials are stored off-site. Advance notice is required for use. Language English Abstract Silas Whitcomb Holman was a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) physics faculty from 876 until his death in 900. This collection documents his faculty years at MIT, but includes family material as well. The bulk of the collection dates from 88 to 90 and provides detailed information about the laboratory and classroom methods used to teach physics in the early years of MIT s existence. The earliest documents are diaries, notes, and drafts of papers from the years 87-876, when Holman was an undergraduate studying physics at MIT. Citation Silas W. Holman Papers, MC 6, box X. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute Archives and Special Collections, Cambridge, Massachusetts. - Page -
Biography Silas Whitcomb Holman (86-900) was an 876 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning the degree of SB in physics. Upon his graduation he was appointed an assistant in the Department of Physics. He stayed at MIT throughout his life, moving up the ranks to instructor (880), assistant professor (88), associate professor (88), professor (89), and professor emeritus(897). Holman attended Cambridge public schools and, after three years of high school, enrolled at MIT in the fall of 87. In 87 he enrolled in the newly established course in physics, was commissioned as an officer in the Institute battalion, and elected president of his class association. Holman studied under Edward C. Pickering, first director of the Rogers Laboratory of Physics and Thayer Professor of Physics. In 876 Holman graduated and was shortly thereafter named an assistant in physics. His thesis, The Atomic Theory as Applied to Gases, was published in the Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 877 he was able to begin teaching and doing experimental work. Professor Charles R. Cross (MIT, class of 870) became the head of the Department of Physics and the Rogers Laboratory, with Holman as his assistant. Holman directed research in the laboratory, while Cross gave most of the lectures. In 88 the Rogers Laboratory relocated from its cramped single room in the Rogers Building to a much more expansive space in what was called the New Building (later renamed Walker ). Holman played a major role in outfitting the physics department s new space he was responsible for special laboratories dedicated to electrical measurements and high-temperature heat measurements. Holman was married twice, first to Marie O. Glover (MIT, class of 88) in July 88. She died less than a year later, and in 886 Holman married Lydia M. Newman. Their daughter Anna was born in 89. Towards the end of his life Holman was blind and unable to move under his own power, but he was able to continue writing and directing research thanks to the efforts of his wife, who conducted literature searches, took dictation, and assisted him with his work. Holman died on April, 900. Scope and Contents of the Collection This collection consists mainly of records documenting Silas W. Holman s professional life at MIT. The earliest documents are diaries, notes, and drafts of papers from the years 87-876, when Holman was an undergraduate studying physics. The bulk of the collection dates from 88 to 90. Series is the highlight of the collection, providing detailed information about the laboratory and classroom methods used to teach physics in the early years of MIT s existence. The photographs in Series 6 also document the Rogers Laboratory, showing the space and equipment that Holman used while he taught. - Page -
During his most active years, Holman produced a diverse array of documents. As a young instructor and assistant to the head of the Department of Physics, Holman conducted and directed research, prepared papers for publication, gave lectures, and corresponded with his colleagues. All of these activities are well represented in Series through. Arrangement note The collection is organized into six series: Series. Correspondence; Series. Research Notes; Series. Teaching Materials; Series. Writings; Series. Published Materials; and Series 6. Family Correspondence and Memorabilia. Administrative Information Publication Information Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections 006 Revision Description Revised 0 0 Access note The collection is open for research. Intellectual Property Rights Access to collections in the Institute Archives and Special Collections is not authorization to publish. Separate written application for permission to publish must be made to the Institute Archives. Copyright of some items in this collection may be held by respective creators, not by the donor or creator of the collection. Controlled Access Headings - Page -
Personal Name(s) Holman, Silas W. (Silas Whitcomb), 86-900 Subject(s) Massachusetts Institute of Technology--Faculty. Bibliography Tenney L. Davis (MIT 9) and H. M. Goodwin (MIT 890). A History of the Departments of Chemistry and Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 86-9 (Cambridge, Mass.: The Technology Press, 9) John R. Freeman, Silas W. Holman. Reprinted from Technology Review, vol., no. (Boston: George H. Ellis, 90), 6-9. - Page 6 -
Correspondence Collection Inventory Series. Correspondence Scope and Contents note Series is composed of Silas Holman s correspondence. Although most is work related, some personal and family letters are included in the correspondence folders. Holman kept letterpress books with copies of his own letters in addition to the originals of letters he received. The bulk of this material falls between the years 88 and 89. Correspondence 876, 880-88 Alumni Fund 879-880 Correspondence 88-886,888-890 Catalogs and Advertisements 88-89 History of MIT 88-898 Letterpress book 887 September 0 to 889 August Letterpress book 888 December 6 to889 June 0 Letterpress book 889 September 7 to 89 June 8 Correspondence 89-897 Pure Metals 89 Correspondence 898 January to October Correspondence 898 November to December Correspondence 899-90 Box - Page 7 -
Research Notes Opinion about a General Course at the Institute 900 February 9 Series. Research Notes Scope and Contents note Series contains notes for Holman s laboratory experiments. These are concentrated early in his career, when his health permitted his own research. When his health began to fail he first directed the research of others, rather than continuing to conduct the experiments himself. Some of this research, done under his supervision, is represented in this collection. Miscellaneous 876-88 Thermometer Comparisons 879 January to February Errors of Cathetameter Scale. Comparison With Standard Metre by Prof. W. A. Rogers 879 February Measurement of Temperature circa 880 to 88 On the Use of the Mercury Thermometer at High Temperatures, Part circa 880 to 88 On the Friction of Leather Belts on Iron Pulleys circa 88 Special Notes on Lab Work, Colton File # circa 88 to 888 Special Notes on Lab Work, Colton File # circa 88 to 888 Special Notes on Lab Work, Colton File # circa 88 to 887 Special Notes on Lab Work, Colton File # circa 880s Special Notes on Lab Work, Colton File # circa 888 to 889 Original Binders for Colton Files circa 88 to 889 Melting and Boiling Points. Data and References 89-89 Box Series. Teaching Materials - Page 8 -
Teaching Materials Scope and Contents note Series contains lecture notes, tests and sample problems, and laboratory procedures. Following the example of his own teacher, Edward Pickering, Holman created standard sets of notes and directions for experiments for the use of his students. Holman described these books as printed, but not published they went through editions and were lithographed by a printer, but they remained only as tools for MIT students, not general textbooks. Examination Papers 87-89 Laboratory Experiments circa 88-88 Physical Laboratory Notes circa 88 Lowell Course on Heat 88 Heat Questions with Answers 88-89 Heat Lecture Notes 886 Precision of Measurements as Given in 886-887 to th Year Electrical Engineers 886-887 Heat Lecture Problems 886-889 Heat Lectures. Additional References, etc. 886-89 Heat Examination Papers 886-89 Thermometry 0-00 circa 887 Thermometry 0-00 circa 887 Heat Lecture 89 Heat Lecture. Additional References, etc. circa 89 Discussion of the Precision of Measurements. Lecture Memos, Corrections and Suggestions 89 Laboratory Notes undated Box - Page 9 -
Writings Series. Writings Scope and Contents note Series contains drafts of papers, manuscripts of books, unpublished writings, and Holman s own notes on the writings and research of others. Index Rerum 87 Paper on Kinetic Theory of Gases. Other MSS. written at MIT 87-879 Illustrations of the Dynamical Theory of Gases circa 876 Calibration Studies 878-88 Viscosity of Gases. Computations and Notes 878-88 Reduction Tables 879 New Suggestions 879 Air Thermometer circa 879 Electricity 88 Friction of Leather Belts 88-88 E.M.F. and Resistance of Battery. Special Directions. Old Papyrographed List of Methods circa 88 American Association Paper on Thermometry 88 Viscosity of Gases. Notes 88 On the Effect of Temperature on the Viscosity of Air 88 On the Effect of Temperature on the Viscosity of Gases 88 Heat Notes 886 Box - Page 0 -
Writings Precision of Measurements 888 February Energy, Work, and Force circa 890s Force 89-89 Telephone circa 89 Energy. Force 89 Draft of First Portion of Electrical Measuring Instruments 89-897 Cooling Correction Notes 89-89 Thermo-Electrics of Pt-Ir Alloy. Barus Data and Computation 89 Thermo-Electrics of Pt-Rh Alloys. H.[?]W. Data and Computation 89 Thermometry and Pyrometry. Miscellaneous References 89 Telephone 89-89 Thermo-Electrics. General Notes 89-89 Thermo-Electrics of Chemically Pure Metals. Noll Data and Computations 89 Notes on Articles on Gases and Heat 89 Res of Pt circa 89 Slide Rule 897 June Preface [Matter, Energy, Force and Work] 897 Microphone 899 Philosophy of Science 899 Places of Figures 900 January Notes on Articles on Gases and Heat Mercurial Thermometer - Page -
Published Materials Thompson Reflecting Galvanometer. Special Additional Notes Life and Mind as Related to Energy Series. Published Materials Scope and Contents note Series is composed only of published materials, such as copies of Holman s books and reprints of his contributions to scientific journals. It also includes scientific published matter written by others and collected by Holman. Papers on Physics 876-896 Simple Method for Calibrating Thermometers 88 March 8 The Manual Element in Education, by John D. Runkle 88 The Effect of Temperature on the Viscosity of Gases 88 May On the Friction of Leather Belts on Iron Pulleys 88 September Physical Laboratory Notes 88 Physical Laboratory Notes 88 Physical Laboratory Notes, Editions to 88 Heat:Lecture Notes Prepared for the Use of Students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 886 Lecture Notes 886, 888-89 Physical Laboratory Notes, Editions to 8 89 Discussion of the Precision of Measurements 89 Revue Scientifique 89-89 Fundamental Standards of Length and Mass 89 Box - Page -
Family Correspondence and Memorabilia Calorimetry: Methods of Cooling Correction 89 November Thermo-Electric Interpolation Formulæ 89 November Melting Points of Aluminum, Silver, Gold, Copper, and Platinum 89 November Pyrometry: Calibration of the Le Chatelier Thermo-Electric Pyrometer 89 November Galvanometer Design: Waste Space Near The Needle 89 December Nouvelles Déterminations des Mètres Étalons [J.-René Benoît and Ch.-Ed. Guillaume] 89 Thermo-Electric Interpolation Formulæ 896 June Melting Points of Aluminum, Silver, Gold, Copper, and Platinum 896 July Computation Rules and Logarithms 896 General Principles of the Method of Least Squares, with Applications [Dana P. Bartlett, S.B.] 896 The Telescope-Mirror-Scale Method; Adjustments and Tests 898 May Johns Hopkins University circulars 898 June Matter, Energy, Force and Work 898 The Function of the Laboratory Technology Review 899 January Series 6. Family Correspondence and Memorabilia Scope and Contents note Series 6 contains family correspondence and memorabilia including material relating to his wife, Lydia Newman Holman, and his daughter, Anna E. Holman. The material created by Silas Holman takes the form of diaries and drawings from his adolescent and college years (MIT class of 876). Of interest is a folder of material created after a visit to Mt. Wachusetts in Massachusetts in 876 during which he made calculations regarding the altitude and a drawing (the Ideal View) of the White Mountains in New - Page -
Family Correspondence and Memorabilia Hampshire. A letter about the drawing from MIT colleague and fellow outdoor enthusiast William Pickering is included. Holman s involvement in the outdoors later with his family is reflected in the plans for their summer home (890), and in a set of canoe catalogs. The bulk of material in this series dates after Silas Holman s death in 900. Lydia Holman s continuing relationship with MIT after her husband s death is documented by invitations and programs for dinners, reunions, and Alumni Association events. The correspondence between his daughter Anna E. Holman and her friends when she was a young girl covers the period 90-90. Calculations sheets, drawing "Ideal View of White Mountains from Wachusett", letter from William Pickering 876 Diary, vacation notes, summer 87 Holy Bible belonging to Silas W. Holman 87 Diary, course notes 87-87 Diary, trip to Azores 877 March Photograph of Silas Holman 876 Sleeve for 876 photograph 876 Lydia Newman, State of Maine Teaching Certificate 877 Patents 88 May Assignment of Dynamo to U.S Electric Light Co. 88-88 General Catalogue of the Officers and Graduates of Vassar College [Marie Glover, class of 87] 86-88 Photograph, unidentified circa 88 Duplicates and original box for photograph in Box /Folder 9 Photographs MIT, Persons and Rooms circa 88 Copyrights 88-898 Box - Page -
Family Correspondence and Memorabilia Memoir of William Barton Rogers 887 The Residence [Bear Island, NH] 890 Special Catalogue of Mathematical Instruments, Drawing Materials, Scientific Books 89 Contracts with Publishers 89-989 In Memoriam. Lewis Mills Norton 89 May 0 Patents 89 In Memory of Francis Amasa Walker 897 December Clippings related to Matter, Energy, Force and Work 898-988 Sumner Hollingsworth 899 Memorials 900 What is Truth? An Address for College Students, by Henry Pritchett 90 Programs, MIT events 90-90 Programs for MIT events 906-90 Invitations to MIT events 90-909 The Tech 906-90 Bookcase catalogs 90-906 Catalogs 90-90 Boat and canoe catalogs 907-908 Invitation to the White House, Rev. and Mrs. S.M. Newman 90 Family correspondence 907-908 Family correspondence 907-909 Correspondence to Anna Holman 90 - Page -
Family Correspondence and Memorabilia Correspondence to Anna Holman 90 Correspondence to Anna Holman 90 Correspondence to Anna Holman 90 Correspondence to Anna Holman 906 Correspondence to Anna Holman 907 Correspondence to Anna Holman 908 Correspondence to Anna Holman 909 Correspondence to Anna Holman 90 Milton Academy material 908-909 Radcliffe College materials 90-909 Radcliffe College register and catalogs Radcliffe College transcripts, Anna E. Holman 908-90 Smith College Bulletin 909 - Page 6 -