File 28 - "Copernicus Commemorative Conferences"

1 file

Comprises correspondence and other material relating to 2 events planned to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus which Bronowski planned to participate in, but then was not able to attend. The majority of the file relates to a symposium at the Smithsonian Institution (Washington D C) entitled 'Nature of Scientific Discovery' (22-26 Apr 1973) where Bronowski was due to give a talk on 'Copernicus as Humanist' (23 & 24 Apr 1973) and show extracts from 'The Ascent of Man' films. The file also contains material relating to a commemorative conference entitled 'Copernicus, Yesterday and Today' co-sponsored by the United States Naval Observatory, American Association for the Advancement of Science section L and National Graduate University, to be held in Washington D C (27-28 Dec 1972) which Bronowski was due to attend.

Includes: conference programmes; correspondence with the National Academy of Sciences on plans for Bronowski to present an abbreviated version of 'Copernicus as Humanist' at the Academy (Washington D C) on the 23 Apr 1973; 2 typescripts of 'Copernicus as a Humanist', (1 annotated with sections to be cut, for publication in Smithsonian Magazine); lists of invitees for Bronowski's lectures at the National Academy of Sciences (23 Apr 1973) and the Smithsonian Institution (24 Apr 1973); a Salk Institute press release on the Smithsonian symposium; invitations to the symposium, a dinner and a concert; a booklet 'Guide for speakers and participants' for the symposium; press cuttings and photocopies of articles about the symposium; correspondence on Bronowski having to cancel attending the symposium due to illness; a letter from Dr Heinz L Ansbacher (The University of Vermont) sending Bronowski a copy of his paper 'A Psychological Reflection on the Significance of Copernicus' (included) with a reply from Bronowski (Jun 1973); and a "speaking engagement" information sheet [made for the file].