Freier, Phyllis S., 1921-1992.
Phyllis St. Cyr Freier papers, 1948-1990.
The collection consists of correspondence, reprints of published research articles, class materials, and a collection of research notebooks containing data for cosmic ray experiments. The correspondence (1948-1990) includes fellow physicists as well as members of the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics. Of particular note is an extensive series of letters from Frank Oppenheimer (1949-1955) who resigned from the University in June, 1949, after having been subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities Committee regarding his Communist Party membership from 1937-1940. Box 2 includes a series of 24 research notebooks, recording experiments made between 1948 and 1960.
Freier spent her entire academic life at the University of Minnesota. As a graduate student she was the first person to see tracks in nuclear emulsions which proved that there were energetic heavy nuclei in cosic radiation. The resulting paper from this study is a classic in the field. Freier was unable to advance academically at the Univ. of Minn. because her husband, George Freier, was also a member of the Physics Dept. faculty. In 1970, nepotism rules were relaxed and Freier rapidly moved through ranks in recognition of her research and teaching. Freier was recognized internationally for her wrok as a cosmic ray physicist and she administered one of the major nuclear emulsion laboratories in the world. She was the recipient of several teaching awards from the Univ. of Minn. and was an active member in the American Physical Socity.
Oppenheimer, Frank, 1912-1985
University of Minnesota -- Faculty.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities.
Cosmic rays -- Research -- History.
Women physicists.
Women in science
Laboratory notes. aat aat
Nuclear physicists.
AIP-ICOS
University of Minnesota. University Archives. Andersen Library, Minneapolis, MN, USA.