Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Durand, William Frederick
- Extent:
- 7.25 Linear Feet
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], William F. Durand papers (SC0381). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The papers of William F. Durand date from 1893 to 1958; included with them are some biographical and scientific writings by others that relate to Durand dating to 1979. the papers primarily concern his research in engineering and aeronautics. They include correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, research notes, reports, reprints, clippings, photographs (including some of damage to Stanford buildings from the 1906 earthquake), memorabilia, and a copy of his published autobiography. The correspondence consists mostly of carbon copies of outgoing letters from 1943 to 1945 concerning publications, aeronautical research, recommendations, professional affiliations, Stanford University affairs, and some personal news.
Durand is also represented in three other collections within the Department of Special collections. Papers concerning design and construction of dams, M0435, contains one folder of Durand's papers concerning Boulder Dam, 1935. Science and scientists, M0133, contains several letters between Durand and R. Giacomelli, 1930. University records relating to Durand can be found in SC0064a, the presidential papers of Ray Lyman Wilbur.
- Biographical / historical:
-
William F. Durand, known as the Dean of American engineering, joined the Stanford University faculty in 1904, serving as professor and head of the Mechanical Engineering Department until his retirement at age 65 in 1924; he held the position of Professor Emeritus until 1958.
Durand, a 1880 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, began his teaching career at Michigan State College in 1887; in 1891 he joined the Cornell University faculty, teaching in the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
Although his early research was in marine engineering, Durand was best known for his contributions to the science of aeronautics, specifically the development of the first variable pitch propeller. He was an original member of the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, serving from 1915 to 1933, and again during World War II, when he helped organize the work being done on jet propulsion.
Durand was professionally active well into his 80s. After his retirement from Stanford, he continued his research on airplane propellers, making use of Stanford's wind tunnel. He served several terms as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Sigma Xi. He was a member of a federal advisory board concerned with the Colorado River and Hoover Dam; and he worked with the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Terms of access:
-
Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], William F. Durand papers (SC0381). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Stanford University Archives, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6064, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022