RG XXI: Committee on Knowledge

Historical Note

The Committee commonly known as the Committee on Knowledge existed from 1971-1980, though activities of the Committee were explored by the Executive Office until 1987. It was established to examine the function of scientific societies in promoting research and communication about scientific ideas in the intellectual community and among various segments of society. It was a subcommittee under the Committee on the History of Recent Science and Technology for the life of that committee, from 1973 -1978. Sanborn C. Brown was chair from 1971-1976, following a year without a chair from 1976-1977, I. Bernard Cohen became chair in 1977-1980.

At a preliminary planning meeting held in November 1972, it was decided to conduct the project in three stages focused on three consecutive periods: Antebellum, 1870-1920, and 1980-1970. Symposia were held for each stage respectively in 1973, 1975, and 1982. The project resulted in two publications: The Pursuit of Knowledge in the Early American Public: American Scientific and Learned Societies from Colonial Times to the Civil War, edited by Alexandra Oleson and Sanborn C. Brown, published by Johns Hopkins University press in 1976; and The Organization of Knowledge in Modern America, 1860-1920, edited by Alexandra Oleson and John Voss, published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 1979. The third publication was drafted but never published. Plans began for a fourth stage predicting future trends but never came to fruition.

Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Name Variations

Committee on the History of American Scientific Societies (1971-1973)
Committee on the History of Organizations for the Promotion of Learning in the United States (1973-1976)
Committee on the Growth of Institutionalized Learning in the United States, (1976-1980)

Scope and Content

The series is contained within the Academy Archives’ Record Group XXI: Academy Projects and Programs. This series contains the administrative and project records of the Committee, from 1971 to 1987 held in the executive office of John Voss and Ralph Burhoe by Alexandra Oleson with other project files. Included among administrative records are correspondence, minutes, and memoranda. Included among project records are correspondence, transcripts, and planning materials. 

A significant amount of material relates to the first three phases of the projects, very little related to the fourth and unfinished phase.  A fair portion of the related material includes individual papers, drafts, and final copies, of what was eventually published. While the papers presented at conferences did eventually become publications, records relating to the conference are primarily regarding conference planning, agenda items, and minutes.

Arrangement

Processing for the series utilized MPLP principles, thus minimum preservation steps were taken, and folder titles listed in the finding aid are as they appear on the actual folders. Records of the Committee were kept by Alexandra (Sandy) Oleson. Original order of the records was maintained, with records interfiled where appropriate. Some files were created outside the filing system and were incorporated with like materials. 
 
The series is divided into four subseries: Subseries 1: Phase I; Subseries 2: Phase II; Subseries 3: Phase III; and Subseries 4: Phase IV.

Subseries 1-3 are further organized into three sub-subseries: Sub-subseries 1: Administration; Sub-subseries 2: Conferences; and Sub-subseries 3:Publication. 

Subseries 2 is instead organized into two sub-subseries: Sub-subseries 1: Administration; and Sub-subseries 2: Publication.

Volume

8 records center cartons (7.5 liner feet)

Preferred Citation

[Item title, date]. Record Group XXI: Academy Projects – Committee on Knowledge, 1971-1987. Archives, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Subjects

Cohen, I. Bernard, 1914-2003
Brown, Sanborn C. (Sanborn Conner), 1913-1981
Oleson, Alexandra, 1939-
Voss, John, 1917-
Education, Higher--History
Knowledge
Learned institutions and societies
Science--Study and teaching
Science--United States--History
United States--Learned institutions and societies--History
Universities and colleges--History
Mellon Foundation
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Science Foundation

Related Records

See related records RGXXII: Academy Projects and Programs, Committee on Recent Science and Technology, 1972-1975.