Guide to the Papers of Ben Gascoigne, 1938-2007

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Summary

Collection number:
MS Acc08.033
Creator:
Ben Gascoigne
Extent:
3.6 metres and (24 boxes + 1 folio)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Ben Gascoigne, National Library of Australia, MS Acc08.033, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Availability:
Available
Access conditions:
Available for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

These papers were collected by S C B [Ben] Gascoigne who joined the staff of Mt Stromlo Observatory in 1942 after education in New Zealand and Bristol University. He retired from Mt Stromlo in 1980. His work at Mt Stromlo initially involved the production of optical munitions during the Second World War but once that finished he played a significant part in the development of Mt Stromlo Observatory as a centre for studies of the Magellanic Clouds, in the design and operation of its telescopes and in the training of astronomers at the Australian National University (ANU). From the early 1960s until 1975 he was a major player in the planning, construction and commissioning of the Anglo Australian Telescope (AAT) at Siding Spring NSW. Following his retirement in 1980 he was co-author of an official history of the AAT and wrote many pieces on the history of Australian astronomy and various astronomers he had worked with.

Ben Gascoigne's wife, Rosalie Gascoigne, was a distinguished Australian artist active in the years1974-1999 and the archive throws light on their years together, especially the early years and the supporting role Ben played in her career. The papers complement Rosalie's and other family papers which will also be deposited with the National Library.

Indexed terms

Names:
Ben Gascoigne

Access and use

Conditions Governing Access:
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn4330474).
Conditions Governing Use:
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Ben Gascoigne, National Library of Australia, MS Acc08.033, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact:
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