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Policy Document, 1963-1966

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MS. Eng. c. 2421
Held at the Weston Library

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The "Document", made available in English, French and German, was published in April 1966 as a 36pp. booklet. It set out EMBO's history, philosophy and scientific programme of fellowships, advanced courses and study sessions, research grants, the case for a European laboratory of molecular biology, and financial estimates; the EMBO Statutes and Rules were also included. Drafts of the material had been prepared and agreed by June 1965 but publication of the booklet was timed to coincide with the formal announcement of the three-year grant (made in December 1965) from the Volkswagen Foundation which enabled the fellowship and teaching programme, and further studies of the laboratory project, to go ahead.

The booklet was an important element - hence the name "Policy Document" generally applied to it - in the Swiss Government's initiative to launch an intergovernmental meeting leading to the establishment of the European Molecular Biology Conference.

The document, a corporate version agreed by members of the EMBO Council, drew very largely on the early "Proposal for a European Organisation of Fundamental Biology" by Kendrew and C.H. Waddington of August 1963; other source materials were the "Draft Proposal for Operation and Activities of EMBO Fund" of March 1965 by A.A. Buzzati-Traverso and "Policy for EMBO Research Grants" of May 1965 by J. Monod. The drafts were assembled and circulated by J. Wyman and the final version sent to Kendrew who supervised arrangements for translation and printing.

Folder F.34. Kendrew's and Waddington's paper, August 1963; Buzzati-Traverso's paper March 1965 (Perutz's copy with ms. corrections and comments); revised version by Wyman; Kendrew's copy, very heavily rewritten by him.

Folder F.35. Manuscript and typescript drafts for sections of the document, mainly by Wyman and Kendrew, but including J. Monod's draft contribution on policy on research grants.

Folder F.36. Later heavily corrected manuscript and typescript draft.

Folder F.37. Two duplicated typescript drafts with manuscript corrections (one in Perutz's hand).

Folder F.38. Papers and correspondence, May - July 1965, on circulation of draft by Wyman to EMBO Council members 20 May, their comments and correspondence arising.

Folder F.39. Final draft with manuscript note by Wyman "Final document as sent to JCK end of June for printing. This (with version C. of Ch.4) was translated by Jacob and is to be printed". With a covering letter by Wyman, June 1965.

Folder F.40. Correspondence, July 1965 - May 1966, on French translation, circulation of printed version etc. Kendrew's letter to Jacob of 10 August refers to the delay in publication at the request of the Volkswagen Foundation; his letter to Wyman 4 May 1966 mentions a possible site at Nice for the EMBO laboratory.

Folder F.41. Correspondence, June 1965 - July 1966, regarding design and printing of booklet.

Folder F.42. Copy of booklet.

Dates

  • Creation: 1963-1966

Extent

9 folders

Language of Materials

  • English

Shelfmark

MS. Eng. c. 2421

Former reference:

NCUACS 11/4/89/F.34-42

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
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Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom