Scott Birney papers

Collection

Identifier: 3P-Birney

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Dion Scott Birney Jr. was a professor of astronomy at Wellesely College from 1968 to 1991. He served as department chair for many years, and wrote two textbooks on astronomy, both of which are still being used in US astronomy classes. This collection consists of Birney's personal and professional papers dating from 1866 to 2014. The collection is primarily made up of materials related to the two astronomy textbooks Birney wrote including drafts, research, and correspondence. Additionally, the collection contains Birney's non-scientific writings and course materials from classes he taught.

Dates

Creation: 1866-2014

Creator

Birney, D. Scott, 1926- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research, but contains some material which has been restricted as per the Wellesley College Archives Access Policy: https://www.wellesley.edu/lts/policies/archivesaccess. To make an appointment to view unrestricted materials, please contact the Archives staff by email at archives@wellesley.edu or by phone at (781) 283-3745.

Conditions Governing Use

The Wellesley College Archives welcomes researchers to use materials in the public domain, to make fair use of copyrighted materials as defined by copyright law, and to request permission to use works whose copyright is held by Wellesley College. All materials from the Archives, regardless of copyright status, should be attributed to the Wellesley College Archives, Library and Technology Services when cited, quoted, or reproduced.

Biographical Note

Dion Scott Birney, Jr. was a professor of astronomy at Wellesely College from 1968 to 1991. He was born on April 23, 1926 in Washington, DC and attended St. Albans School. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II, serving as a third-class fire controller on the USS New York where he saw action at Okinawa and Iwo Jima. After the war, he earned a degree in industrial engineering from Yale University, class of 1950.

Birney earned his PhD in Astronomy in 1961 from Georgetown University and taught at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville for eight years. In 1968, he moved to Wellesley College. Shortly after his arrival, Margaret Sawyer’s generous gift of a research-grade 24-inch telescope transformed the opportunities for hands-on astronomical research by advanced students.

Birney developed upper-level courses and instrumentation for the new telescope, while overseeing the restoration of the historic 12-inch refractor. He served as department chair for many years, and wrote two textbooks on astronomy, both of which are still being used in US astronomy classes. He retired in 1991.

Birney died peacefully in his sleep on August 15, 2021, at age 95. Throughout his 23 years at the College, his good cheer, wry wit, and self-effacing demeanor made the Whitin Observatory a congenial and supportive home to both students and faculty.

Extent

2.6 Linear Feet (In two record cartons and one letter-sized Hollinger box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection comprises the personal and professional papers of D. Scott Birney, professor of Astronomy, dating from 1866 to 2014. The collection includes articles, photographs, writings, and correspondence.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in the following series:

I. Correspondence

II. Course materials

III. Non-scientific writings

IV. Personal files

V. Textbooks and scientific materials