File 3 - "The Ascent of Man: General letters, March 1974-present"

3 files (3 parts)
Part 1: May 1974-1975. Part 2 [CLOSED]: April 1974. Part 3: March 1974.)

Comprises correspondence about, or prompted by, 'The Ascent of Man' television series and book or related television and radio broadcasts.

"March 1974" section contains letters from: Mrs J Stone thanking Bronowski for his reply to her letter about life and the universe being an accident; Betty Kilham Roberts thanking Bronowski for sending a copy of 'The Ascent of Man' book to Italy; John David Garcia (Science Education Extension, Maryland) sending leaflets on his books and courses; Peter Reynolds (Stanford University Medical Center); Pauline Marshall on appreciating 'The Ascent of Man' television series and Bronowski knowing her brother, Francis Rawdon Smith (with a reply from Bronowski); Professor J A Douglas about his interests and work as a geologist in South America, with a reply; Mushroom Cloud Publishing Co Ltd sending Bronowski a copy of 'The Cosmic Colouring Book' with a reply from Kathleen Verlander; Ernest W Anderson-Simmons on having known Bronowski in connection to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration; K A C Wheeler on questions about cells and evolution and being lectured to by Bronowski in Cambridge in 1932-4; Jaisa Reichardt on a map of mathematics she was producing and previous work; Cyril Roberts on enjoying Bronowski's television appearance [on the Michael Parkinson television show] and working together at the National Coal Board; Dr G Krishnamurti sending Bronowski a mathematical paper (for assessment) from a man independently studying mathematics in India; Raymond Baxter (presenter of 'Tomorrow's World' BBC television programme) sending a paper by an inventor (Alex Jones, included) and asking for Bronowski's opinion on it (with a reply from Bronowski); Frank S Hadland on subjects including studying mathematics at Jesus College, Alan Pars, JCCS [Jesus College Cambridge Society] dinners and satisfaction with his career in mathematics; and John Press on 'The Ascent of Man' television series, working for the British Council in Cambridge in 1955-1962 and knowing Max Perutz, Otto Fritsch and Nevill Mott, being inspired by reading Bronowski's 'The Poet's Defence' and book on William Blake, and Press' own literary criticism and poetry.

"March 1974" section also contains: a copy of a letter from Stan Gooch to the editor of 'World Medicine' on an article (included) about Gooch's view on the cellebrum; correspondence with Michael Kennedy (journalist and music critic) on appreciating Bronowski's work, his own work, his wife's illness, remembering seeing the Bronowskis at Cheltenham Festival concerts in the 1950s and visiting their home; a copy of a letter from Bronowski to David Jones about [Shakespeare's] Hamlet's age; correspondence with Accuracy in Media Inc. on ideas of truth as raised in relation to dogma by 'The Ascent of Man' series; and correspondence with C E Dent (University College Hospital Medical School, University of London) on the relationship between vitamin D and skin colour and sending a copy of his paper on 'Calcium metabolism in sarcoidosis' (enclosed).

"March 1974" section additionally contains: letters from the general public annotated as "replied" to [by Sylvia Fitzgerald or Kathleen Verlander] on subjects including appreciating 'The Ascent of Man' television series and book and Bronowski's appearance on the Michael Parkinson television show, advice on books to read, parallels between Bronowski's thinking and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's theory of cosmogenesis, sending poetry, and coal fossils; letters from the general public [not replied to] on subjects including appreciating 'The Ascent of Man' television series and book, Bronowski's appearance on the Michael Parkinson television show and on 'Desert Island Discs' radio show, the differences between animals and humans, gratitude for replies to previous letters and autographs, and Bronowski's sister [Lilli] being a statistician at Edinburgh University; letters from the general public (with replies from Bronowski, or annotated by Bronowski as replied to) on subjects including appreciation of 'The Ascent of Man' television series and Bronowski's appearance on Michael Parkinson's television show, Bronowski's use of the word English when he meant British, exclusion of women from 'The Ascent of Man' television series, the scene at Auschwitz in programme 13, possible dangers of white flour and sugar, gravity, a request for information on Einstein (from a school boy), Bronowski's work on "the evolution of complexity", mutations, the concept of original sin, philosophy of education, tidal power, and Zen Buddhism.

"April 1974" section contains letters from: a scholarship student at Eton asking Bronowski for information for his project on the Earth, with a reply from Bronowski; the Hon. George W Collins (Representative in Congress, United States) on writing to the Nobel Prize Committee about 'The Ascent of Man', with a reply from Bronowski; Raymond Baxter thanking Bronowski for his reply to a previous letter about an invention; Peter C Kesling (Kesling and Rocke Orthodontic Group) on reading an article on 'The Ascent of Man' in the National Observer and asking for reprints of Bronowski's articles on the shape and arrangement of early man's teeth; Joe Stokes (School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego [UCSD]) on seeing programmes 1 and 2 of 'The Ascent of Man' series at UCSD; and Stella Browning (The Cinque Ports Poets society) asking to include poetry by Bronowski in an anthology, and thanking him for sending a leaflet on 'The Christmas poetry of the Bronowski's'. Also includes: correspondence with Reverend Michael Brierley on questions about matters in Bronowski's writings, and writing a thesis on Walter Kaufmann's writings on religion; and a letter to Jacob and Rita Bronowski thanking them for [a party they hosted to watch some of 'The Ascent of Man' films].

"April 1974" section additionally contains: letters from the general public annotated as "replied" to [by Sylvia Fitzgerald or Kathleen Verlander] on subjects including appreciation of 'The Ascent of Man' television series and Bronowski's appearance on Michael Parkinson's television show; letters from the general public (with replies from Bronowski) on subjects including appreciation of 'The Ascent of Man' television series, concern about violence being carried out by young girls, attending school with Bronowski's sister [Lilli], and the moral sense of man and animals; letters from the general public (with no replies, but sometimes reprints sent in response) on subjects including appreciating 'The Ascent of Man' series, thanking Bronowski for his replies to previous letters and for autographing and sending books, philosophical questions about life, inviting Bronowski to visit the Goldman Fine Arts Gallery at the Jewish Community Center in Greater Washington (United States), asking for details of Bronowski's book on 'Nature and Knowledge', and the idea of values being an agreed programme for living.

"May 1974" section contains letters replied to by Kathleen Verlander or Sylvia Fitzgerald, as Bronowski was in London, including: a letter from M K Dziewanowski (Professor of History, Boston University) on 'The Ascent of Man'; requests for Bronowski to autograph copies of 'The Ascent of Man' book; a letter from Steven Killick thanking Bronowski for sending a photocopy of an extract on Einstein; and a letter from Evelyn Alloy on the origin of syphilis and sending a copy of 'Columbus and the Indians' by Theodor Rosebury (included).

"June 1974" section contains letters from: René Péron (Santa Rosa Junior College, California) on previewing 'The Ascent of Man' films for Sonoma County School District, with a reply from Bronowski; James Smith sending a copy of his review of 'The Ascent of Man' book for 'The Tennessean' with a reply from Kathleen Verlander; Mary Ellidge (Lima, Peru) to Jacob and Rita Bronowski on missing 'The Ascent of Man' series in the United Kingdom, not being able to buy the book and updates on her travels and mutual friends; Professor Evelyn Kessler (University of South Florida) on references for evolutionary evidence to use in teaching students and arguing against creationism, with a reply from Bronowski; and Marie Ney forwarding a copy of a 'Moreana: Bulletin Thomas More' (included) containing a quote about Thomas More from 'The Long Childhood', the 13th programme of 'The Ascent of Man'.

"June 1974" section also includes: a letter to [Harry] Boardman requesting Bronowski inscribe a copy of 'The Ascent of Man' book; letters from the general public annotated as "replied" to [by Kathleen Verlander or Sylvia Fitzgerald] on subjects including appreciation of 'The Ascent of Man' television series and book and Bronowski's appearance on the Michael Parkinson television show; letters from the general public (with replies, or annotated as replied to, from Bronowski) on subjects including 'The Ascent of Man' programmes and book, genetics of wheat, 20th century physics, remembering Bronowski from the Central Foundation School (which Bronowski attended), and the work of Technocracy Inc.

"July 1974" & "August 1974" section contains: letters from the general public (with replies from Bronowski) on subjects including the theoretical paradox if an object were to reach the speed of light, and the idea that clay was a mould for the first molecules in the origins of life; a letter from Andy Glosecki (The National Foundation-March of Dimes) forwarding an article (not included) with criticism by John S Kennedy on 'The Ascent of Man' book; letters from the general public (annotated as replied to by Bronowski) on subjects including appreciation of 'The Ascent of Man' television series, book and article in 'Atlantic Monthly', and requesting an autograph; letters [with no reply] thanking Bronowski for sending copies of 'The Ascent of Man' book.

"September 1974" (covers Dec 1973-Sep 1974) section contains letters from: Robert K Zuck on an interview with Bronowski in 'American Scholar', religion, and sending a copy of an essay on botanical matters (not included); University Hill Secondary School (Vancouver) on showing 'The Ascent Man' films at the school and sending an essay (not included) on the series by a student (letter replied to and student, Catherine Milsum, written to by Bronowski); Kitty Tallack (née Kennedy) who looked after Bronowski at Winchcombe Hospital, annotated as replied to by Bronowski; Bruce Bliven on 'The Ascent of Man', issues around popularisation of science and a story from his own autobiography on Alexander Sachs meeting Roosevelt to deliver a letter about the Atomic Bomb, annotated as replied to by Bronowski.

"September 1974" also includes: correspondence with Dr H E Hogben on disagreeing with parts of Bronowski's book on 'Science and Human Values' and on the philosophy of Karl Popper; letters from the general public (annotated as replied to by Bronowski) on subjects including appreciation of 'The Ascent of Man' television series and book; correspondence with Mary Baldwin College (Virginia) on the College using 'The Ascent of Man' films in a conference and inviting Bronowski to attend (declined); correspondence with Robert T Silver on misdating a painting by George de la Tour in the first edition of 'The Ascent of Man' book; and two letters (one replied to) from a Hampstead Study Group on 'The Ascent of Man'/The Pentad Centre mainly on forming the study group.

"September 1974" section additionally contains letters with replies from Kathleen Verlander informing them of Bronowski's death. These letters are from: Lorraine Gill (artist) on an exhibition in London; Dr Elliot Uhlenhopp (Whitman College, Washington) on requesting a signed copy of 'The Ascent of Man' book and wanting to include material in his lectures; Joan Margaret Pick on The Earth Enterprise Project; and from the general public on subjects including 'The Ascent of Man' book, requesting a signed photograph and an autograph, Bronowski's article 'Western Man's Destiny' in 'Current', and meeting Bronowski at the Science Center [Toronto].

The file also contains letters on 'The Ascent of Man' being shown in Denmark and Finland (1975) sent to Rita Bronowski by Adrian Malone's secretary, and a letter in response to 'Time of My Life' (BBC 4 radio programme) with a reply from Sylvia Fitzgerald.

The original, reverse chronological, order has been maintained.

Part 2 (April 1974) is CLOSED under the Data Protection Act, until Jan 2074.

'Columbus and the Indians' by Theodor Rosebury was published in 'Monthly Review', April 1974.

'The Forgotten Brain' (on Stan Gooch's views on the cellebrum) was published in 'World Medicine', 13 Feb 1974.

'Calcium metabolism in sarcoidosis' by C E Dent was published in Postgraduate Medical Journal (Aug 1970) 46.

This file was originally in a ring binder.