Marcus G. Langseth diaries, 1955-1996

Summary Information

Abstract

Diaries of Marcus G. Langseth, a pioneer in marine geothermal research, researcher at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and professor of geology at Columbia University. The diaries include scientific observations and personal anecdotes.

Description

Summary

The diaries include scientific observations and personal anecdotes. A typical journal may include meeting notes, scientific research observations, scientific calculations, drafts of correspondence or memos, and personal observations and anecdotes. Many journals include loose pages inserted into the notebooks with related or additional material.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 1 series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Marcus Langseth Papers; Box and Folder (if known); Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accrual

No additions expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2011.2012.M053: Source of acquisition--Lillian Langseth. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--09/12/2011.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed Carrie Hintz 01/30/2012.

Findign aid written Carrie Hintz 01/30/2012.

Revision Description

2012-02-01 xml document instance created by Carrie Hintz

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

History

A pioneer in marine geothermal research, Marcus Gerhardt Langseth was associated with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory for most of his 40-year career. Beginning as a research assistant and graduate student in the mid-1950s, he became a senior research scientist and an adjunct professor of earth and environmental sciences at Columbia University.

Dr. Langseth was born in Lebanon, Tennessee, on Nov. 24, 1932 and received his bachelor's degree from Waynesburg College in 1954. He began working at the Lamont-Doherty observatory as a summer employee in 1953, and joined the staff full time in 1955. After a two-year stint in the Army from 1956-1958, he came back to Lamont as a research staff assistant and in 1959 he started to pursue graduate studies in geophysics at Columbia University and he earned his PhD from the University in 1964.

Dr. Langseth remained affiliated with Columbia University and the Lamont-Doherty Observatory throughout his career. He was an expert in heat flow studies, and much of his research involved collecting and analyzing data about the way that heat moves on the surface of the Earth. He developed instruments that Apollo crews used to study heat flow on the moon. This work earned him NASA's Special Achievement Award. In 1993, Dr. Langseth was appointed the Palisades Geophysical Institute Senior Scientist at Lamont.

Langseth died of lung cancer in 1997.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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