Collection ID: C204
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Putnam, Frank W.
Abstract:
Frank Putnam was an Indiana University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Before his retirement he served as director of the Division of Biological Sciences from 1965-1969. The collection contains five series including, Haurowitz Symposium, Haurowitz memorial records, Professional memberships, Subject files, and Awards.
Extent:
1.4 cubic feet
Language:
Materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Frank W. Putnam papers, Collection C204, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Frank W. Putnam was born August 3, 1917 in New Britain, Connecticut. He attended Wesleyan University, where he received his B.A. in Chemistry in 1939, and an M.A. in Chemistry in 1940. In 1942 he received his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota. He was also awarded an honorary degree from Cambridge University in 1973.

A distinguished biochemist, Frank Putnam's research focused on the structure and function of blood proteins associated with the development of immunity to disease in animals. His early research involved the development of methods for determining the molecular structure of proteins. Later his research focused on the biology and chemistry of bacterial viruses, research that was important in developing modern molecular biology. The majority of his career dealt with the study of the Bence-Jones proteins and their relation to the molecular structure of antibodies. He is the author of over 100 published scientific articles on these subjects.

Frank Putnam began his career in biochemistry as an instructor at Duke University's School of Medicine, 1942-1946. Putnam became an Assistant Professor in biochemistry at the University of Chicago from 1947-1953, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1953. Two years later, Frank Putnam was named Head of Biochemistry at the University of Florida, a position he held until 1965. From Florida, he moved to Indiana University to become a professor of biology and the Director of the Division of Biological Sciences. He held this position until 1969 when he resigned to devote his time to teaching and research. In 1969 Putnam was named Professor of Molecular Biology and Zoology at IU. He was named a Guggenheim Fellow in 1970, and researched in the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge University in England. In 1971 he become a professor of biochemistry at the IU Medical School, and just three years later, in 1974, reached the status of Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. In 1988, one year after retirement, Indiana University gave Frank Putnam the status of Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

Frank Putnam received much recognition as a member of several professional organizations in the sciences, including the National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He served as chairman of the Divisional Committee for Institutional Programs of the National Science Foundation, and was a member of the National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council of the National Institutes of Health. In 1967, Putnam was elected chairman of the Division of Biological Chemistry of the American Chemical Society. He was named to the Etiology Program Advisory Committee of the National Cancer Institute in 1970. In 1972, he received the Sword of Hope award from the American Cancer Society for his work in basic cancer research. Putnam was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1974, and as honorary fellow of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry in 1983. Putnam died November 29, 2006.

Scope and Content:

The Frank Putnam papers span the years 1963-1996. This collection is organized into five series: Haurowitz Symposium; Haurowitz memorial records; Professional memberships; Subject files; and Awards. Some series are further divided into sub-series. Within each series or sub-series, items are arranged alphabetically according to subject.

The Haurowitz Symposium series includes items concerning a symposium on immunology given in honor of Felix Haurowitz, a distinguished Indiana University professor of chemistry. Putnam played a large role in organizing this symposium that was held on 28 Feb-2 Mar 1973. The symposium speakers included several respected scientists in the field of immunology. The event was attended by hundreds of students and researchers in the field. This series is divided into three sub-series: Correspondence, Planning, and Tape recordings. The Correspondence sub-series consists of letters and memoranda between Frank Putnam and several individuals involved with the symposium, including attendees and those from whom support was requested. The Planning sub-series includes files the planning and organization of the symposium, including expenses, housing accommodations, and programs. The Tape recordings sub-series includes cassette tapes on which the proceedings of the symposium were recorded. The symposium was originally recorded with a radio microphone on Sony TC-55 tape. Putnam later converted them onto Maxell Low Noise "C-120" Extra cassette tapes, which are the tapes included in this collection. The Afternoon Session of March 1st and the Morning Session of March 2nd are not included. Also, Side B of Tape III is a poor recording and difficult to understand.

There was one file from the Haurowitz Symposium containing purchase orders and other financial documents that was pulled and destroyed according Indiana University's Financial Management Services - Retention and Destruction Schedules.

The Haurowitz memorial records series includes files concerning three events that Frank Putnam participated in to memorialize Felix Haurowitz. These three events make up the sub-series: Biographical memoir, Memorial resolution, and Memorial service. The Biographical memoir sub-series consists of files concerning the biographical sketch about Felix Haurowitz by Frank Putnam included in the National Academy of Sciences' Biographical Memoir 1994 publication, and includes correspondence with the publishers and copies of the manuscript before it was published. The Memorial resolution sub-series consists of files concerning a memorial resolution Frank Putnam helped to write about Felix Haurowitz following Haurowitz's death in 1987, and includes drafts of the resolution and biographical information on Haurowitz. The Memorial service sub-series consists of items that deal with the memorial service given for Felix Haurowitz following his death in 1987, and includes the memorial address given by Frank Putnam and the program for the service.

The Professional memberships series consists of files on associations and societies to which Frank Putnam was a member, including National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The series is arranged alphabetically by the name of the association. The file entitled "Who's Who organizations" includes Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, and Who's Who in Science and Engineering.

The Subject files series chronicles the activities of Frank Putnam. Subjects include hemoglobin charts created by Putnam in 1963, a conference on health held at the White House with President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, and newspaper clippings about Frank Putnam.

The Awards series consists of certificates and plaques given to Frank Putnam. Awards are from organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences and Who's Who in the World.

All photographic materials were removed from the collection and stored with the Indiana University Archives photo collection. Please ask staff more details.

Acquisition information:
Accessions 95/041 and 2003/143
Custodial history:

Both accessions were transferred to the Indiana University Archives by Frank Putnam in 1995 and in 2003.

Processing information:

Processed by Ryan K. Lee

Completed in 2004.

Arrangement:

This collection is organized into five series: Haurowitz Symposium; Haurowitz memorial records; Professional memberships; Subject files; and Awards. All series are arranged in alphabetical order.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Advance notice is required.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The donor(s) of this collection have transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University through a Deed of Gift. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.

The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.

Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Frank W. Putnam papers, Collection C204, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Herman B Wells Library E460
1320 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
812-855-1127
archives@indiana.edu