Harold Gardiner Bowen Papers
Scope and Content Note
The papers of Harold Gardiner Bowen (1883-1965) span the years 1907-1977, with the bulk of the material dating between 1940 and 1959. The papers consist primarily of correspondence, writings, news clippings, Navy Department orders, and presidential executive orders for plant seizures during World War II. Bowen was an engineer for the navy, and as chief of the Bureau of Engineering from 1935 to 1939, he advocated and implemented the redesign of the fleet using high pressure, high temperature steam. From 1939 to 1942 Bowen served as director of the Naval Research Laboratory, which did pioneering work on radar and the concentration of uranium 235 during his tenure. From 1942 to 1945 he served as special assistant to the under secretary and the secretary of the navy. The majority of these papers, however, date from after his retirement in 1947 and primarily relate to his various business interests and his work with the Newcomen Society and the Thomas Alva Edison Foundation. Notable correspondents include Chester W. Nimitz, Adlai E. Stevenson (1900-1965), and Lewis L. Strauss.
Dates
- Creation: 1907-1977
- Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1940-1959)
Language of Materials
Collection material in English
Access and Restrictions
The papers of Harold Gardiner Bowen are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Harold Gardiner Bowen is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Extent
1,000 items
4 containers
1.6 linear feet
Abstract
Naval officer and engineer. Correspondence, military orders, news clippings, writings, and other papers relating to Bowen's activities with the Newcomen Society and the Thomas Alva Edison Foundation and his various business interests. Some material pertains to his duties as chief of the United States Navy Bureau of Engineering and as director of the Naval Research Laboratory during World War II.
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Catalog Record
Provenance
The papers of Harold Gardiner Bowen, naval officer and engineer, were deposited in the Library of Congress by the Naval Historical Foundation in 1970 and 1984. The deposit was converted to gift in 1998.
Processing History
The papers of Harold Gardiner Bowen were arranged and described in 1996. The finding aid was revised in 2008.
Source
- Bowen, Harold Gardiner, 1883-1965 (Creator, Person)
Subject
- Bowen, Harold Gardiner, 1883-1965. (Person)
- Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966--Correspondence. (Person)
- Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing), 1900-1965--Correspondence. (Person)
- Strauss, Lewis L.--Correspondence. (Person)
- Naval Research Laboratory (U.S.) (Organization)
- Newcomen Society in North America. (Organization)
- Thomas Alva Edison Foundation. (Organization)
- United States. Navy Department. Bureau of Engineering. (Organization)
- Title
- Harold Gardiner Bowen Papers
- Subtitle
- A Finding Aid to the Papers in the Naval Historical Foundation Collection in the Library of Congress
- Author
- Prepared by Karen Linn Femia
- Date
- 2008
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Part of the Manuscript Division Repository
Manuscript Reading Room
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James Madison Building, LM 101
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