Papers of a Nobel Prize winning physicist and professor at the University of California, 1960-1964. The materials include general and family correspondence, and correspondence with physicists Hans Jensen and Edward Teller. Also included are reprints and writings of hers, as well as research notebooks, class lectures, and teaching materials from both the University of Chicago and the University of California, San Diego. The collection is arranged in seven series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE, 2) REPRINTS, WRITINGS AND LECTURES, 3) RESEARCH NOTEBOOKS AND CLASS LECTURES, 4) TEACHING MATERIALS, 5) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, 6) NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, and 7) SUBJECT MATERIALS. The addition processed in 1997 contains photographs, diplomas, certificates, and awards. The materials are arranged in two series: 1) PHOTOGRAPHS and 2) AWARDS, CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS.

Maria Goeppert Mayer was born on June 28, 1906 in Kattowitz, Germany, to Friedrich and Maria (nee Wolff) Goeppert. In 1910 she moved with her parents to Gottingen where her father taught pediatrics at the University. She enrolled at the University at Gottingen in the spring of 1924 with the expectation of pursuing a career in mathematics, but soon became attracted to physics and the developing field of quantum mechanics. In 1930 Mayer took her doctorate in theoretical physics under the direction of Nobel prize winners Max Born, James Franck, and Adolf Windaus.

4.50 linear feet (12 archives boxes and 1 oversize folder)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.