Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 12 January 1973-4 June 1975 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 file
Context area
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Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Comprises correspondence between Alan Sleath (senior assistant to head of features group, BBC, then BBC Radio & TV Enterprises) and Bronowski or Sylvia Fitzgerald.
Subjects include: arrangements for Bronowski to visit to the United Kingdom to launch 'The Ascent of Man' including publicity and promotion on television and radio programmes (Michael Parkinson television interview, Desert Island Discs radio show, etc.); plans for the premier at the Royal Society in London (26 Apr 1973); suggested invitees for the premier; plans to show excerpts of 'The Ascent of Man' at the National Academy of Sciences [Washington D C] and the Smithsonian Museum [Washington D C] on the 23rd and 24th Apr 1973; arranging for prints of programmes 5 -7 to be made for a Copernicus symposium in Washington D C; viewing figures for original showings and repeat showings; press reaction to the television series; press conferences; Jacob and Rita Bronowski visiting London in Oct-Nov 1973; Bronowski meeting with the chairman and director general of the BBC (Nov 1973); showings of 'The Ascent of Man' films at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D C being a success; congratulations on publication of 'The Ascent of Man' book; sending a large photograph of Bronowski and an original drawing of Bronowski's head by Feliks Topolski (mounted with the names of all the BBC staff involved in the production of 'The Ascent of Man') to the United States; Aubrey Singer being made controller of BBC-2 (Jan 1974); viewing and listening figures for, and reactions to, Parkinson television interview, and 'The Time of My Life' and Desert Island Discs radio shows; selling the German rights to 'The Ascent of Man'; sending Sylvia Fitzgerald brochures on 'The Ascent of Man' produced by the BBC; arrangements for the BBC tribute to Bronowski in Broadcasting House (Jan 1975); publishing the tribute; arranging for Sylvia Fitzgerald to receive copies of 'The Ascent of Man' films; and Sylvia leaving the Salk Institute.
Also includes a copy of 'Ariel' BBC staff journal containing an article on 'The Ascent of Man' book (16 Nov 1973).