Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Cohen (Karl P.) papers
M1798
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Description
Dr. Karl Paley Cohen was a physicist and advisor involving nuclear energy and reactor development who began his career making
scientific advances in uranium production with the Manhattan Project at Columbia University in the 1940s. Working under Harold
Urey, Cohen developed the now universal method of centrifugal isotope separation for enriching uranium. While the collection
includes many declassified lab notebooks and journals from this time, it largely covers Cohen’s long period of service with
General Electric as well as various consultancies, and includes reports, correspondence, notes, and other material related
to nuclear electric power generation and its safety, economic viability, public policy and other concerns.
Background
Karl Paley Cohen (1913-2012) was born in New York City. He studied chemistry at Columbia University from 1929 to 1936, followed
by post-doctoral work in Paris (where he met his wife, Marthe-Hermance Cohen). Beginning in 1937 Cohen was research assistant
to professor Harold Urey, who had earned the 1934 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on isotopes. As the war escalated,
Urey was named director of the Manhattan Project at Columbia, and Cohen was hired as head of the project’s Theoretical Division,
with the responsibility for determining processes for U-235 (uranium) isotope separation. Subsequently, Cohen was deeply involved
with perfecting the gaseous diffusion and centrifuge techniques for enrichment, and uranium sources and production would be
a major focus of his career.
Extent
30.42 Linear Feet
(62 boxes: 50 manuscript boxes ; 1 record storage box ; 1 flat box)
Restrictions
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Availability
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials
are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.