The Fred Hoyle Project: an archival cataloguing project at St John’s College Library Katie Birkwood Hoyle Project Associate St John’s College Library Supported by a grant from the Friends of the Center for the History of Physics, American Institute of Physics

Introduction Fred who? The Hoyle Collection The Hoyle Project –Cataloguing –Access and outreach Conclusions

Sir Fred Hoyle ( ) Astronomer and physicist –Famous for the ‘big bang’ and the ‘steady state’ universe –Stellar nucleosynthesis –Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy, –Institute of Theoretical Astronomy (IoTA) Populariser of science –The Nature of the Universe Science fiction author Courted controversy –Arguments with Martin Ryle about quasars –Panspermia

Hoyle Collection Donated in 2002 –Approx. 150 archival boxes –Notebooks, correspondence, diaries –Photographs –Film reels, audio tapes, video tapes –Artefacts Library of 680 printed books

Funding Heritage Lottery Fund (£48,000) St John’s College (£48,000) Friends of the Center for the History of Physics, American Institute of Physics ($10,000 ≈ £5,000) One full-time staff member for three years plus budget for materials, training, etc.

Cataloguing Item-level archival cataloguing The complete catalogue will be loaded onto Janus, along with the other collections of personal papers in the Library

Project Website

Online Exhibition Introduction to some of the highlights of the collection Mounted online as part of the Library website

Hoyle Days – Autumn 2008, 2009, 2010 Exhibition of Hoyle papers Talk from professional astronomer Target audience: amateur astronomers and interested adults November 2008 –180 visitors October 2009 –190 visitors

Cambridge Science Festival One-day events Target audience: families and the general public March 2009 –Science fiction theme –c. 370 visitors –Exhibition and book-in-advance hands-on activity March 2010 –History of astronomy theme –Exhibition and hands-on “build your own astrolabe” activity

Ossian’s Ride by Fred Hoyle Illustrations drawn by visitors to the Library Saturday 14 March 2009

Other Visits The Hoyle Project welcomes visits from any interested group: –School groups (primary or secondary) –20th-century physics class from the University of the Third Age –Outreach visits organised by the College outreach office

The Way to the Stars Three-month exhibition, October to December 2009 Part of the regular programme of Library exhibitions Overview of astronomy at the College, including items from throughout the special collections (not limited to Hoyle) Included items loaned from the Whipple Museum of the History and Philosophy of Science

Open Cambridge – Open Libraries Simple way to allow the public to see your library Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September 2010 –Watch out for more details

Top Tips Start by evaluating size, scope and particular features of the collection(s) Build on existing strengths Be imaginative Aim high Don’t be afraid to try something new

More information Katie Birkwood