Sidney D. Drell papers, 1941-2019

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Summary

Creators:
Drell, Sidney D. (Sidney David), 1926-2016
Abstract:
Speeches and writings, notes, correspondence, memoranda, reports, studies, and printed matter relating to scientific and technological aspects of United States national security and intelligence issues, including nuclear weapons, nuclear stockpile management, satellite reconnaissance, biological and chemical warfare issues, and terrorism issues. Also includes material relating to the dissident Soviet physicist AndreÄ­ Sakharov, and to efforts on his behalf by Western scientists. Includes writings and letters by Sakharov.
Extent:
64 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder, digital media (33.4 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Sidney D. Drell papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Sidney D. Drell papers include speeches and writings, notes, correspondence, memoranda, reports, studies, and printed matter related to scientific and technological aspects of United States national security and intelligence issues, including nuclear weapons, nuclear stockpile management, satellite reconnaissance, biological and chemical warfare issues, and terrorism issues. In addition, the papers include material related to the dissident Soviet physicist Andrei Sakharov, and to efforts on his behalf by Western scientists.

These latter records document Drell's efforts to aid Andrei Sakharov during Sakharov's arrest and exile, as well as his personal relationship with Sakharov and Elena (Yelena) Bonner. The Andrei Sakharov Chronological File includes correspondence with Sakharov and family members such as Elena Bonner, Tat'iana Yankelevich (Bonner's daughter and Sakharov's step-daughter), and Tat'iana's husband Efrem Yankelevich. Letters to scientists and members of various organizations document Drell's efforts to arrange petitions, plan conferences, and disseminate information about Sakharov's work and exile in Gor'kii (Gorky). The series includes open letters between Drell and Sakharov discussing topics such as Sakharov's arrest and arms control. Also included are writings and typescripts by Drell and Sakharov. Material concerning the Andrei Sakharov Institute can also be found in this series.

In 1981, Drell was the chairman of the International Conference in Honor of Andrei Sakharov, a birthday tribute to Sakharov designed to recognize his scientific contributions as well as express support for him. The Andrei Sakharov Collected Materials and Andrei Sakharov Chronological File contain correspondence and conference materials related to this event.

The Speeches and Writings series includes typescripts, manuscripts, and clippings written by Drell and Sakharov. Writings by Sakharov include physics papers (with typescripts in Russian), interviews with Sakharov, articles describing Sakharov's views on human rights, and descriptions of his experience in exile. For more writings by Drell, see also Incremental Speeches and Writings.

In addition to his work as a physicist, Drell was an arms control specialist. He advised the United States government on technical national security and defense issues and consulted for Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He served on various advisory committees, including the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. The Advisory Work File documents Drell's consulting work through his research files, correspondence, and writings. Included are documents concerning the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the Stockpile Stewardship Program.

Drell was a founding member of JASON, an independent group of scientists formed to advise the United States government. The JASON File includes documentation related to meetings, such as the annual summer study, as well as many reports for which Drell served as chair, study leader, or a contributor. Topics of reports include stockpile stewardship, nuclear testing, tritium, subcritical experiments, lasers, and stockpile aging. Although most reports are in their final form, these materials include some drafts and notes.

The collection includes Printed Matter related to topics such as Sakharov, nuclear weapons, and intelligence, as well as histories compiled by the National Reconnaissance Office. All other printed matter, consisting of widely available publications, has been removed. See the Separated Materials note for a bibliography of all printed matter that was not retained as part of the collection.

Finally, the Audiovisual Material series contains sound recordings of the conference "Implications of the Reykjavik Summit on Its Twentieth Anniversary," as well as a photograph, and a videorecording about Sakharov.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1926
Born, Atlantic City, New Jersey
1946
A.B. in Physics, Princeton University
1947
M.A. in Physics, University of Illinois
1949
Ph.D. in Physics, University of Illinois
1966
Member, President's Science Advisory Committee
1969
Elected to the National Academy of Sciences
1969-1981
Consultant, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
1969-1986
Executive Head, Theoretical Physics, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
1974
First met Andrei Sakharov in Moscow
1977
Accepted the Joseph Human Rights Award for Sakharov
1977-1990
Member, American Committee on U.S.-Soviet Relations (formerly Committee on East-West Accord)
1980
Advisory Board, Andrei Sakharov Defense Campaign
1981
Chairman, International Conference in Honor of Andrei Sakharov
1983-1989
Founding Co-Director, Stanford's Center for International Security and Arms Control
1984
Prize Fellowship of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
1986
President, American Physical Society
1989-1996
Adjunct Professor, Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University
1990-1991
Chairman, House Armed Services Committee Panel on Nuclear Weapons Safety
1995
Chair, JASON Study for Department of Energy on Nuclear Testings
1998
Retired as deputy director from Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
1998-2016
Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution
2000
Received Enrico Fermi Award
1992-2001
Member, President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
2006
With George Shultz, initiated a program at the Hoover Institution to develop practical steps towards achieving a world without nuclear weapons
2016
Died
2013
Awarded National Medal of Honor

Source: http://www.hoover.org/profiles/sidney-d-drell

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1980, with increments received in 1981 and 2016.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Box 66 may not be used without permission of the archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Sidney D. Drell papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US