Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 13/20/55
Wilbur C. Thoburn
Papers, 1945-1992, n.d.


Descriptive summary

creator:

Thoburn, Wilbur C.

title:

Papers

dates:

1945-1992, n.d.

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 manuscript box)

collection number:

RS 13/20/55

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Wilbur C. Thoburn Papers, RS 13/20/55, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

Wilbur Collins Thoburn, the son of missionaries, was born November 24, 1900 in Lucknow, India. He received a B.S. (1921) from the Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania; an M.A. (1922) from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois; an M.S. (1931) from the University of Chicago; and a Ph.D. (1956) from Iowa State College/University.

Thoburn was physics instructor (1922-1923) at the University of Georgia; an instructor (1924-1937) at the Lucknow Christian College in Lucknow, India; and Professor of Physics (1938-1961) at the Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan. He held the positions of Assistant Professor of Physics and research assistant part-time (1956-1958) at Iowa State College/University and joined the faculty full-time as an Assistant Professor (1961-1970). Although he retired in 1970, Thoburn continued research until his death on March 14, 1992.

 

Collection description

The collection consists mostly of Thoburn's physics research notes and publications. The papers also contain biographical material and correspondence with editors and critics.

 

Organization

This collection is organized alphabetically then chronologically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

B6 model liquid, comparison

1978, n.d.

1

2

Biographical information

1970-1992

1

3

Clarifying some ideas about molecular mechanisms in fluids

n.d.

1

4

Consequences of intermolecular attraction in fluids

n.d.

1

5

Critics, correspondence

1982-1986

1

6

Dynamic consequences of intermolecular attraction in gases

1965

1

7

Editors, correspondence

1945-1986

1

8

Field and gradient meter

1962-1964

1

9

Magnetic properties of the Gd-La and Gd-Y alloys

1950

1

10

Magnetic properties of terbium metal

1958

1

11

Mechanisms underlying surface tension, tension in interfaces and contact angles

n.d.

1

12

Molecular mechanisms in liquids and gases

1971

1

13

Obtuse contact angle

1971

1

14

Obtuse contact angle, problem

1976

1

15

Origin of liquid surface tension

1970

1

16

Origin of surface tension of liquids

1977

1

17

Pressure mechanisms in real gases

n.d.

1

18

Role of intermolecular attractions in liquids and gases

1965

1

19

Tension in the interface between two liquids

1977-1979

1

20

Thermodynamics

n.d.

1

21

Traditional misinterpretation in elementary molecular theory

1980, n.d.

1

22

Transition region, liquid to vapor

n.d.