Scope and Content Note
The papers of Georg Von Békésy (1899-1972) span the years 1928-1972, with the bulk of the material consisting of speeches, writings, and research material from 1955 to 1970. The collection is organized into five series: Correspondence, Speeches and Writings File, Subject File, Research Material, and Miscellany.
The Correspondence series includes a small number of family letters, but chiefly concerns Von Békésy's activities in education, scientific research, writing, travels, and his interest in archaeology and art collecting. The Speeches and Writings File consists of published, typewritten, and handwritten drafts of speeches, lectures, and books with accompanying correspondence and background material.
Von Békésy traveled extensively attending conferences, delivering papers, and visiting research laboratories, universities, and art museums. Included in the Subject File are travel itineraries, copies of speeches, related correspondence, and topical files ranging from acoustica to Wettstreit (competition). A subsequent series of Research Material is unorganized.
The Miscellany series contains various biographical and personal materials, including items associated with Von Békésy receiving the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1961.