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Personal papers of Paul W. Gilles

 Collection
Call Number: PP 423

Overview

Paul Gilles was a 1943 graduate of the University of Kansas who, upon earning his doctorate in chemistry at the University of California-Berkeley, returned to KU to become a professor, specializing in high-temperature chemistry. This collection contains correspondence, research ledgers, notes, printouts, slides, class notes and lectures, proposals, reports, and microfilm.

Dates

  • Creation: 1950s-1990s

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

These materials are stored in the KU Annex off-site storage area.

All researchers interested in reviewing this material must consult Spencer Research Library Public Services staff (785-864-4334 or ksrlref@ku.edu, 9-5 M-F CST) no less than three days in advance of a planned visit. Be advised that drop-in requests for this material cannot be accommodated.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of Paul W. Gilles

Paul W. Gilles was born January 13, 1921 in Kansas City, Kansas. He received his bachelors in chemistry from the University of Kansas in 1943 and graduated as a Summerfield Scholar and Phi Beta Kappa. In 1947 he received his Ph.D. in chemistry from University of California-Berkeley and worked as a research assistant on the Manhattan Project during that time.

Gilles returned to KU as an assistant professor in chemistry in 1947. He reached associate status in 1952 and full professor status in 1958. In 1963 he was one of the first professors to be named a University Distinguished Professor.

Gilles' area of expertise was high temperature chemistry, and a great deal of his research was sponsored by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). He was also a consultant for the Argonne National Laboratory, National Academy of Sciences, National Science Foundation, and the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. He attended numerous international conferences, was a member of several professional societies, and served the University on many faculty advisory councils. Over his career he published over 80 articles. He retired in 1990 and died February 12, 2004.

Extent

24 Linear Feet (26 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Physical Location

PP 423

Physical Location

PP 360

Physical Location

Annex (Contact Spencer Library Public Services)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gifts, Gilles Family and the KU Chemistry Department, 2004.

Related Materials

Consult library staff regarding the availability of related photographs, biographical files, and scrapbooks.

Title
Guide to the Paul W. Gilles Collection
Subtitle
Personal papers of Paul W. Gilles
Author
Finding aid prepared by kn, 2005. Finding aid encoded by kn, 2005. Finding aid encoded by mwh, 2021.
Date
2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/3754266234
Preferred citation
Personal papers of Paul W. Gilles, University Archives, PP 423, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334