GSC - G. S. Callendar Archive
Reference code
GSC
Level of description
Collection
Title
G. S. Callendar Archive
Date/s
1930-2003
Quantity & Format
9 boxes Mixed
Personal name
Callendar, Guy Stewart, 1898-1964
Callendar, Hugh Longbourne, 1863-1930
Callendar, Hugh Longbourne, 1863-1930
Subject
Global warming
Atmospheric carbon dioxide -- Climatic factors
Climatic changes
Atmospheric carbon dioxide -- Climatic factors
Climatic changes
Creator
Callendar, Guy Stewart, 1898-1964Administrative/Biographical history
Beginning in 1938, Guy Stewart Callendar (1898-1964), a noted steam engineer and amateur meteorologist, revived the carbon dioxide theory of climate change by arguing that rising global temperatures and increased coal burning were closely linked. Working from his home in West Sussex, Callendar collected weather data from frontier stations around the world, formulated a coherent theory of infrared absorption by trace gases, and demonstrated that the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere, like the temperature, was indeed rising. This later became known as the "Callendar effect".
Archival history
On 19th March 2007 the collection was transferred to the UEA Library Archives. Box 9 was a later deposit in January 2016.
Scope and content
The collection comprises notebooks, correspondence, and other documents of G.S. Callendar. They include family papers and his war-time work on climate. All items have been digitised for reference purposes.
The collection contains some 102 notebooks (1936-1964) and documents containing data, charts, notes, readings and formulae concerning temperature and climate as far back as 1751 and in locations across the world; letters, reviews and many candid insights into the state of climate science between 1936 and 1964.
Box 8 contains the Family Collection. This includes photographs, personal correspondence, reprints, historical reappraisals, biographical material (some relating to Callendar's father - physics Professor H.L. Callendar); and papers relating to Callendar's war work, including FIDO (Fog Investigation Dispersal Operation), 1942-1946, and to his time with the Armament Design Establishment, 1950-1956. Also included are letters concerning the administration of the archive collection.
Box 1 Correspondence, maps, graphs and data, 1751-1964
Box 2-7 Notebooks, 1936-1964
Box 8 Family Collection, 1930-2003
Box 9 Notebooks, 1940-1959
The collection contains some 102 notebooks (1936-1964) and documents containing data, charts, notes, readings and formulae concerning temperature and climate as far back as 1751 and in locations across the world; letters, reviews and many candid insights into the state of climate science between 1936 and 1964.
Box 8 contains the Family Collection. This includes photographs, personal correspondence, reprints, historical reappraisals, biographical material (some relating to Callendar's father - physics Professor H.L. Callendar); and papers relating to Callendar's war work, including FIDO (Fog Investigation Dispersal Operation), 1942-1946, and to his time with the Armament Design Establishment, 1950-1956. Also included are letters concerning the administration of the archive collection.
Box 1 Correspondence, maps, graphs and data, 1751-1964
Box 2-7 Notebooks, 1936-1964
Box 8 Family Collection, 1930-2003
Box 9 Notebooks, 1940-1959
Conditions governing access
The digitised collection is open for consultation in the Archives Department by appointment during the Archives advertised opening hours. The paper collection is CLOSED.
Existence and location of copies
9 CD-Roms accompany the collection. They include digitised contents lists.
- GSC - G. S. Callendar Archive