Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Frank L. Robeson Papers
Robeson, Frank Leigh, 1884-1974
Ms.2015.014
7.6 Cubic Feet
6 boxes
1899-1954, undated
The collection includes papers from Frank L. Robeson's tenure as a student at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University, as well as subject and research files from his nearly 50 years as an instructor and professor at VPI, dating from 1899 to 1954.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Frank L. Robeson Papers, Ms2015-014, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Frank L. Robeson Papers were acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 2008. They are believed to have been donated to the library, probably after Dr. Robeson's death in 1974.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Frank L. Robeson Papers was completed in July 2015.
Biographical Note
Frank Leigh Robeson was born on August 31, 1884, in Farmville, Virginia, to George M. and Anna M. Robeson. In 1912, he married Mary Anna Matthews (1888-1975). They had 5 children: Helen (b. 1913), Mary (b. 1915), Martha (b. 1921), Amenta (b. 1922), and Andrew (b. 1927). Robeson died in September 1974 in Blacksburg, Montgomery County, Virginia. He is buried in Westview Cemetery.
Robeson graduated from Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute with a B. S. in 1904. Between 1904 and 1907, he served as an instructor in Mathematics and Drawing and later in Mathematics and Graphics. From 1910-1913, he was an instructor in Mathematics and Experimental Engineering. In 1913, he received an M. A. from Columbia University. From 1913-1917, he served as an Associate Professor of Physics and from 1917-1955 (except for a leave in 1922/1923) as a Professor of Physics. He completed a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins in 1923 before returning to teach at VPI. Between 1936 and 1941, he was the head of the Physics Department. After retiring in September 1954, he was granted emeritus status. In honor of his long career at VPI as a student and teacher, the Department of Physics building, completed in 1960, was dedicated "Robeson Hall" in 1969. A portrait of him hangs in the building.
More on Robeson Hall:
- http://www.phys.vt.edu/where/Robeson.shtml
- https://vt.edu/about/locations/buildings/robeson-hall.html
Sources:
- An Historical and Genealogical Account of Andrew Robeson of Scotland New Jersey and Pennsylvania and of His Descendants from 1653 to 1916.
- "Dr Frank Leigh Robeson" entry, Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74335550/frank-leigh-robeson
Scope and Content
The collection includes papers from Robeson's tenure as a student at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University, as well as subject and research files from his nearly 50 years as an instructor and professor at VPI, dating from 1899 to 1954. The papers contain notebooks and students sketch/composition books; personal correspondence; research on topics relating to math, physics, and drawing; notes and lectures from classes taught; Virginia Academy of Science documents; papers; and publications; and a few photographs and negatives.
Arrangement
The original file names were retained when the collection was processed. Some related folders were consolidated and duplicates removed. The collection is arranged in chronological order with the undated materials in the last box.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Frank L. Robeson Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Faculty and staff
Mathematics
Physics
University Archives
University History
Students and alumni
Robeson, Frank Leigh, 1884-1974
Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)
Machine Drawing Sketch Book189911Workshop Composition Book190212Notes and Papers1903-192113Personal Papers1904-192314Lettering for Engineering Students190415Notes1904-191516Electrical Laboratory Notes190417Notes1906-191318Transfer Notes from Loose Leaf Notes1907-192519Applied Mechanics1907110M.I.T. - November1907111Research and Reference Material1909-1926112Relating to House Construction1910-1918113Examples in Differential Equations1908114Notes on Dynamics Text1910115Technic of Mechanical Drafting with Notes1910116Problems in Mechanics, Heat, Optics1911117Notes on Osbourne's Differential and Internal Calculus, July and August1911118Correspondence1911-192021Columbia University Class Registration Book191222Modern Theories in Geometry191223Geodesy and Practical Astronomy, Columbia University191224Physics Laboratory- Freshman and Sophomore Instruction Sheets191325Partial Differential Equations191326Lecture Notes and Exams - 1st Physics1913-191627Notes on Astronomy, Heat, Differential Equations191328Notes, Articles, and Sketches on Homes and Homebuilding1913-192829Two-Story Apt. Building Guidelines1914-1921210Relating to House Construction1914-1921211W.F. Meggers - Electricity and Magnetism1915212Physics 2 Exercises in Mechanics and Temperature Determination1916213Clippings, Brochures, and Advertisements1916-1944214Theoretical Mechanics - Notes from Lectures of Dr. J.S. Ames1917215Experiments in Optics1917216Physical Apparatus - to be Bought, to be Constructed, and where to get it1917217Notes - Data for Text1917218Physics Lab Equipment and Notes191731Notes and Exam Notes on Optics191732Exam on Optics and Experiment on Calibration of a Thermocouple191733Infinite Series Notes Theory of Function - Cohen,192034Notes192035Residence Specifications192036Correspondence1920-192937Research and Reference Pamphlets1920-194638Notes192039Einstein's Theory - Lectures of Dr. F.D. Miconaghan, Johns Hopkins University, June-July1920310Moment in Inertia1921311Lecture Notes and Exams - 2nd Physics1921-1922312Lectures on Electricity and Magnetism1922313Electron Theory1922314Vector Analysis - U. Chicago192241Lectures on Optics1922-192342The Infrared Spectrum of Helium in Long Discharge Tubes192343Notes on Thermodynamics192344Introduction to Quantum Theory192345Sketching Book - Tables192346Atomic Theory192347Radiofax - Lefax Looseleaf Handbooks1923-192448Noteson Physics Laboratory - M.I.T.192449Junior Physics1926-1937410The ABC of Hydrogen Ion Control1926411Junior Laboratory1926412Constructed in Shop1926-1927413Electricity and Magnetism1928414Advertisements1929-1945415Radio Talk1930-1946416Correspondence1930-1939417Notes on Physics: Part 1, Mechanics1932418Manuscript of Notes on Physics - Part II- Electricity and Magnetism1932419Manuscript of Notes on Physics - Part I - Mechanics1932420Notes on Physics Part II: Electricity and Magnetism1933421Household Meteorology and Physics1934-1939422E&M- Electromagnetics1935-194051Spectrophotometric Materials1935-193652Lecture Notes - Physics 312193553X-rays and Radioactivity193654Virginia Academy of Science1937-193855Notes on Physics Part III: Wave Motion, Sound, Heat, and Light193756Biophysics1938-193957Advanced Physics193858Biophysics193859E&M - Electrostatics1938510E&M Laboratory Manual1939511The Bent of Tau Beta, July1940512Precision of Measure1940513Correspondence1940-1949514X-rays, Spring Quarter1941515Lectures and Notes1942-1944516Physics 312 (Chemistry)1942517Notes on Mechanics and Wave Motion1943-1954518Klystron Manual1945519Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems for Students of College Physics1946520Paper: A Simple Method for Adapting on Ordinary Wall Galvanometer for use in Large Classrooms1946521Electricity and Magnetism1946522Electricity and Magnetism1947523Correspondence61An Exercise on the Sphere of Geom. of Space62Electrostatics63Electricity and Magnetism64Illustrations of Stem Engines, Steam Turbines, Pumping Engines 65Manuscript Index to Notes on Physics66Negatives67Notes for a course in Thermodynamics68Photographs69Physics 3 - Experiments in Electricity and Magnetism610Radiation611Thermodynamics, Second term612