File 8 - "BBC - Aubrey Singer & Robert Reid"

1 file

Mainly comprises Bronowski's correspondence with Robert (Bob) Reid (Head of Science and Features, Television, BBC) and Aubrey Singer (Head of Features Group, Television, BBC). Other correspondents are: Sylvia Hodgson/Fitzgerald, Caroline Budd, Noble M Wilson (Assistant Head of Features Group, Television, BBC), Vera Grimmett (secretary to Aubrey Singer) and Alan Sleath (Senior Assistant to Head of Features Group, Television, BBC). Also includes one letter to Rita Bronowski from Singer after Bronowski's death.

Subjects in correspondence with Reid (Aug 1969-Jun 1971) include: sending Reid a copy of 'A Happy New Year from Dr Bronowski' film (1969); arranging a meeting with Reid, Singer, Adrian Malone and Time-Life Films in New York (Oct 1969); Reid's comments, suggestions and notes on programme outlines; relations between the BBC and the Indian Government making it difficult to film in India; ideas for other BBC science programmes; and comments on "sync rushes" [film of Bronowski speaking to camera for inclusion in 'The Ascent of Man' programmes].

Subjects in correspondence with Singer (Jul 1969-Nov 1974) include: sending Singer copies of Bronowski's book 'Nature and Knowledge' (1969), outlines of the Mellon lectures [on 'Art as a Mode of Knowledge', 1969] and information on the Salk Institute; arranging a meeting in New York with Reid, Adrian Malone and Time-Life Films (Oct 1969); tax issues (Bronowski's); Singer visiting Bronowski in San Diego in Oct 1970, with John Stringer (BBC) in Oct 1972, and in May 1973; scheduling 'The Ascent of Man' to be shown on television, and repeats; planned previews, publicity and launch at the Royal Society; finding sponsors and selling 'The Ascent of Man' series in the United States; 'The Ascent of Man' series being shown in Canada; publication dates for 'The Ascent of Man' book; Bronowski becoming ill in April 1973 and not be able to travel for the launch; the BBC entering 'The Ascent of Man' series to the Europalia Festival in Brussels (Belgium) Sep-Oct 1973; a proposed television programme about the Salk Institute; Jacob and Rita Bronowski's plans to travel to London (Oct 1973); Sylvia travelling to London to finalise book proofs; a film of an interview with Leo Szilard by the BBC being sent to Bronowski and being included in the Salk Institute's archives; Singer's promotion to Controller of BBC-2; Bronowski's death and arranging the BBC's tribute to him.

This file includes a letter from Aubrey Singer to Sylvia Fitzgerald sending correspondence for Bronowski to answer, dated 27 June 1973 (the correspondence is not present).