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University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections University of Saskatchewan - Faculty√
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Carnegie Foundation - Physics Grant - Gerhard Herzberg

Image of handwritten note confirming a grant from the Carnegie Foundation to fund a Professor of Physics at the University of Saskatchewan for two years. This position was filled by Gerhard Herzberg.

Bio/Historical Note: Gerhard Heinrich Friedrich Otto Julius Herzberg, PC CC FRSC FRS (1904-1999) was a German-Canadian pioneering physicist and physical chemist, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1971, "for his contributions to the knowledge of electronic structure and geometry of molecules, particularly free radicals.” Herzberg's main work concerned atomic and molecular spectroscopy. He is well known for using these techniques that determine the structures of diatomic and polyatomic molecules, including free radicals which are difficult to investigate in any other way, and for the chemical analysis of astronomical objects. Herzberg served as Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada from 1973 to 1980. Initially, Herzberg considered a career in astronomy, but his application to the Hamburg Observatory was returned advising him not to pursue a career in the field without private financial support. After completing high school at the Gelehrtenschule des Johanneums, Herzberg continued his education at Darmstadt University of Technology with the help of a private scholarship. Herzberg completed his Dr.-Ing. degree under Hans Rau in 1928.
From 1928 to 1930 he carried out post-doctorate work at the University of Göttingen under James Franck and Max Born and the University of Bristol. In 1930 he was appointed Privatdozent (lecturer) and senior assistant in the Physics Department of the Darmstadt Institute of Technology. In August 1935 Herzberg was forced to leave Germany as a refugee and took up a guest professorship at the University of Saskatchewan, for which funds had been made available by the Carnegie Foundation. A few months later he was appointed research professor of physics, a position he held until 1945. From 1945-1948 Herzberg was professor of spectroscopy at the Yerkes Observatory of the University of Chicago. He returned to Canada in 1948 and was made Principal Research Officer and shortly afterwards Director of the Division of Physics at the National Research Council. In 1955, after the Division had been divided into one in pure and one in applied physics, Herzberg remained Director of the Division of Pure Physics, a position which he held until 1969 when he was appointed Distinguished Research Scientist in the recombined Division of Physics.
Herzberg's most significant award was the 1971 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which he was awarded "for his contributions to the knowledge of electronic structure and geometry of molecules, particularly free radicals.” During the presentation speech, it was noted that at the time of the award, Herzberg was "generally considered to be the world's foremost molecular spectroscopist."
Herzberg was honoured with memberships or fellowships by a very large number of scientific societies, received many awards and honorary degrees in different countries. The NSERC Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, Canada's highest research award, was named in his honour in 2000. The Canadian Association of Physicists also has an annual award named in his honour. The Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics is named for him. He was made a member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science. Asteroid 3316 Herzberg is named after him. In 1964 he was awarded the Frederic Ives Medal by the OSA. At Carleton University, there is a building named after him that belongs to the Physics and Mathematics/Statistics Departments, Herzberg Laboratories. Herzberg was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1951. The main building of John Abbott College in Montreal is named after him. Carleton University named the Herzberg Laboratories building after him. A public park in the College Park neighbourhood of Saskatoon also bears his name.
Herzberg authored some classic works in the field of spectroscopy, including Atomic Spectra and Atomic Structure and the encyclopaedic four volume work: Molecular Spectra and Molecular Structure, which is often called the spectroscopist's bible. The three volumes of Molecular Spectra and Molecular Structure were re-issued by Krieger in 1989, including extensive new footnotes by Herzberg. Volume IV of the series, "Constants of diatomic molecules" is purely a reference work, a compendium of known spectroscopic constants (and therefore a bibliography of molecular spectroscopy) of diatomic molecules up until 1978. Herzberg died in 1999 in Ottawa.

O.R. Skinner fonds

  • MG 95
  • Fonds
  • 1928-1990 (inclusive); 1970-1988 (predominant)

This fonds contains correspondence with colleagues, students and friends, subject files including information on the role of scientists in public affairs and education, nuclear energy, labour relations, various University of Saskatchewan committees and the Department of Physics, lecture and research notes, articles, reports and work that was in progress at the time of Dr. Skinner's death. There is also a substantial section of reference material.

Skinner, Orville Ray

R.N.H. Haslam fonds

  • MG 86
  • Fonds
  • 1931-1980 (inclusive) ; 1974-1979 (predominant)

This fonds contains reports, addresses, and articles by Haslam, as well as reprints of articles and dissertation summaries produced by the Department of Physics Betatron Group, 1951-1956. Additionally, it contains correspondence, membership lists, submissions, and clippings related to the Association of Retired Faculty.

Haslam, Robert Newman Hoyles

L. Katz fonds

  • MG 39
  • Fonds
  • 1941-1975 (inclusive) ; 1968-1972 (predominant)

This fonds contains correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports, clippings, and copies of federal and provincial legislation pertaining to Dr. Katz's activities with the Science Council of Canada Committee on Computer Applications and Technology.

Katz, Leon

Gerhard Herzberg fonds

  • MG 440
  • Fonds
  • 1902-2006 (inclusive); 1935-1999 (predominant)

This fonds contains material relating to the personal and professional life of Gerhard Herzberg and his wife, Luise Herzberg. In particular, it contains correspondence with family, friends and colleagues, most notably from the period 1933-1949. Some articles are included.

Herzberg, Gerhard

I.W. Tweddell fonds

  • MG 64
  • Fonds
  • 1952-1975 (inclusive) ; 1965-1974 (predominant)

This collection contains considerable material relating to aviation history, particularly in western and northern Canada, including material on: the Keng Wah Aviation School for Nationalist Chinese pilots; the RCAF; illustrations of the technology of flight; reference material; and microfilms of the Hudson Strait Expedition fonds (1927-1928) and "The Bulletin" (Western Canada Airways, 1929-1937). Additionally, there is material on Tweddell's other research interests, notably aerial mapping and surveying.

Tweddell, Ian William

H.E. Tennant -- SED Systems / Biostar Records

  • MG 115
  • Fonds
  • 1973-1990 (inclusive) ; 1981-1986 (predominant)

The records of both SED Systems and Biostar include board minutes, financial statements, annual reports, correspondence, and memoranda.

Tennant, Howard

J.E. Kennedy fonds

  • MG 102
  • Fonds
  • 1770 (dates of original); 1820 -1999 (inclusive); predominant 1933 – 1999 (predominant).

This fonds contains material relating to Professor Kennedy's research and publications in the area of history of science (notably, on G.B. Airy, W. Brydone Jack, B.W. Currie, F.T. Davies and the Moon Hoax); astronomy (including information on comets and eclipses); as well as work he did on behalf of the Defence Research Medical Laboratories, the National Research Council, the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and the NB Dep't of Health. There is also material relating to his career with the University of New Brunswick and the University of Saskatchewan, and information concerning his extensive collection of 16th - 19th century books on astronomy.

Kennedy, John Edward

Sylvia Fedoruk fonds

  • MG 435
  • Fonds
  • 1917-2012 (inclusive) ; 1950-2012 (predominant)

This fonds contains records mainly related to Sylvia’s time as Lieutenant Governor, with correspondence, invitations, clippings, photographs and memorabilia. It also includes documents from her career as a physicist including correspondence, notes, and clippings. Clippings, photographs, and correspondence relating to Sylvia’s involvement in sports is included – predominantly curling and golf, but also fishing, baseball, basketball, and track and field. There is extensive photography and other materials documenting her travels around the world, as well as gatherings with friends and family.

Fedoruk, Sylvia Olga

Ron Steer fonds

  • MG 572
  • Fonds
  • 1959-2015 (inclusive) ; 1978-2010 (predominant)

This fonds contains materials relating to Steer’s education at the University of Saskatchewan and his career: including his research and publications; teaching material; and various presentations and addresses.

Steer, Ron

P.N. Nikiforuk fonds

  • MG 346
  • Fonds
  • 1954-2005

This fonds contains materials relating to Nikiforuk's career as a professor and Dean of Engineering.

Nikiforuk, Peter

R.G. Williamson fonds

  • MG 216
  • Fonds
  • 1921-2011 (inclusive); 1956-2003 (predominant)

This fonds contains material created or collected by Dr. Williamson during his varied career as an anthropologist, civil servant, legislator, professor, and as a consultant for various provincial, national and international organizations and governments. Although primarily documenting Dr. Williamson's work for and with the Inuit of northern Canada, this fonds includes material relating to all circumpolar countries, other aboriginal groups in Canada, international affairs, and a very broad range of topics as they relate to the north, including art and culture, physical geography, sport, environment, botany, zoology, economics, defence, etc. It includes his personal and professional correspondence, research data, articles and scholarly writing, as well as a substantial collection of reference publications.

Williamson, Robert Gordon, 1933-

H.C. Moss fonds

  • MG 321
  • Fonds
  • 1907-1980.

This fonds contains materials primarily related to Moss's work on the soil survey of Saskatchewan, and academic work connected to soil classification and land use.

Moss, Harold Charles

J.E. Murray fonds

  • MG 61
  • Fonds
  • 1843-1980, predominant 1908-1967

This fonds contains the personal correspondence, office, and research files of the Murray family, including W.C. Murray (President, University of Saskatchewan), his wife Christina, and his daughters, Christina, Dr. Lucy H. Murray (Professor of English, Regina College), and Dr. Jean E. Murray.

Murray, Jean Elizabeth

B.A. Holmlund fonds

  • MG 354
  • Fonds
  • 1951-2004 (inclusive); 1972-2004 (predominant)

This fonds reflects Holmlund’s interest in the philosophy of education, his varied career at the University of Saskatchewan, and his concern for an equitable society. It is particularly valuable as a source for university history, specifically for the period of Leo Kristjanson’s tenure; and for issues surrounding health delivery, education, and the College of Medicine; the development of computer / IT services on campus; and First Nations educational opportunities. As a reflection of planning at a post-secondary U-15 institution, this fonds is particularly strong, notably for the materials surrounding the Issues and Options project.

Holmlund, Blaine Adrian