RG XXI: Committee for the Conference on Chemical And Biological Warefare

Historical Note

The Committee for the Conference on Chemical and Biological Warfare operated almost entirely in 1969. Matthew Meselson and Paul Doty were co-chairs. The purpose of the committee was to discuss the present status of chemical and biological warfare and to investigate suggestions for further programs and research in this area. To this end, they organized a Conference on Chemical and Biological Warfare, on July 25, 1969, at the House of the Academy, co-sponsored with the Salk Institute. Proceedings of the Conference were published later that year by the Academy. Additionally, Meselson and Doty reported on the Conference on November 12, 1969, at a Stated Meeting of the Academy.

Scope and Content

The series is contained within the Academy Archives’ Record Group XXI: Academy Projects and Programs. This series contains the administrative and conference records of the Academy relating to the conference, from 1969-1970. The majority were created the executive office of John Voss, with Patricia Flaherty and Alexandra Oleson. Records are comprised of general administrative records. These include correspondence, and meeting records. Correspondence includes communications with participants and US Senators. Meeting records include agenda, transcripts, background reading, draft proceedings and budget information.

Of particular note is a copy of Matthew Meselson's hearing before the Senate's Committee on Foreign Relations, April 30, 1969, in which he provided information on the effects of chemical weapons. 

See related record groups RG VII: Meetings and Special Events (1780-present) for a record of the November 12, 1969 Stated Meeting, at which Matthew Meselson and Paul Doty reported on the Conference; and RG XXI: Committee on Policies for Chemical Weapons and Chemical Arms Control (1975-1980).

Arrangement

Processing for the series utilized MPLP principles, thus minimum preservation steps were taken, and folder titles listed in the finding aid are as they appear on the actual folders. Original order is generally maintained. A small portion were kept separately and have been interfiled where appropriate. This series has no subseries.

Volume

1 records center carton (0.5 linear feet)

Preferred Citation

[Item title, date]. Record Group XXI: Academy Projects – Conference on Chemical And Biological Warefare, 1969-1970. Archives, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Subjects

Doty, Paul
Flaherty, Patricia, 1938-
Meselson, Matthew
Oleson, Alexandra, 1939-
Voss, John, 1917-
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Armed conflicts
Biological warfare
Chemical warfare
Security, International