James Chipman Fletcher papers
Collection
Identifier: MS 0202
Scope and Contents
The James Chipman Fletcher papers consist of records, correspondence, and other documents primarily relating to his tenure as the Administator of NASA, the top position in that organization. Among the items included in Fletcher's papers are his appointment books. These are quite detailed accounts of Dr. Fletcher's meetings, as the books indicate with whom he met, at what time, and for how long. In some cases there is also a brief note on the subject of the discussion.
The bulk of the papers consist of speech and travel information. As NASA Administrator, Dr. Fletcher was called upon frequently to speak at affairs related to the aerospace industry, as well as address the requisite number of graduating classes and service organizations. He also traveled on tours of inspection and was present at various space launches.
For some years, following the speech and travel files, are notes and information from meetings and briefings. Some of these contain formal briefing charts and extensive printed materials on proposed NASA-related programs. In 1975-1977 there appear a number of files dealing with the fiscal year budgets.
Dr. Fletcher's handwritten notes on meetings or general office business are followed by the correspondence files. The general correspondence is filed by date. There are, however, some special subject files, such as those on Soviet Union and United States cooperation, which are filed chronologically within subject. Personal correspondence included with the collection consists of letters or recommendation as well as correspondence with friends.
There are a number of miscellaneous files at the end of each year. These include reports, telephone messages, newspaper clippings, and other similar items. Finally, the requests for autographs from the years 1971-1978 are filed together at the end of the collection.
The memorabilia includes clippings about Dr. Fletcher's appointment, biographies of NASA Austronauts, various certificates, plaques, models, and other items.
Dr. Fletcher's papers from his tenure as president of the University of Utah are housed in the University Archives.
The bulk of the papers consist of speech and travel information. As NASA Administrator, Dr. Fletcher was called upon frequently to speak at affairs related to the aerospace industry, as well as address the requisite number of graduating classes and service organizations. He also traveled on tours of inspection and was present at various space launches.
For some years, following the speech and travel files, are notes and information from meetings and briefings. Some of these contain formal briefing charts and extensive printed materials on proposed NASA-related programs. In 1975-1977 there appear a number of files dealing with the fiscal year budgets.
Dr. Fletcher's handwritten notes on meetings or general office business are followed by the correspondence files. The general correspondence is filed by date. There are, however, some special subject files, such as those on Soviet Union and United States cooperation, which are filed chronologically within subject. Personal correspondence included with the collection consists of letters or recommendation as well as correspondence with friends.
There are a number of miscellaneous files at the end of each year. These include reports, telephone messages, newspaper clippings, and other similar items. Finally, the requests for autographs from the years 1971-1978 are filed together at the end of the collection.
The memorabilia includes clippings about Dr. Fletcher's appointment, biographies of NASA Austronauts, various certificates, plaques, models, and other items.
Dr. Fletcher's papers from his tenure as president of the University of Utah are housed in the University Archives.
Dates
- 1933-1992
Creator
- Fletcher, James Chipman, 1919-1991 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Conditions Governing Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Biographical Sketch
James Chipman Fletcher, born 5 June 1919, in Millburn, New Jersey, attended high school in New York City and received a B.A. in physics from Columbia University in 1940. He served as a research physicist with the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance, and in 1941 became a special research associate at the Cruf Laboratory of Harvard University. He went to Princeton University in 1942 as a teaching fellow and later was an instructor and research physicist.
Under an Eastman Kodak fellowship, Dr. Fletcher received his Ph.D. degree in physics in 1948 from the California Institute of Technology. He joined Hughes Aircraft Company as director of the Theory and Analysis Laboratory in the Electronics Division.
In 1954, Dr. Fletcher joined the Ramo-Wooldridge Corporation as an Associate Director and soon became Director of Electronics in the Guided Missile Research Division, later to become Space Technology Laboratories, with responsibility for all United States ICBM's. In July 1958 Dr. Fletcher organized the Space Electronics Corporation with his associate Frank W. Lehan. Space Electronics Corporation merged with the spacecraft division of Aerojet in 1961 to form the Space General Corporation of which Dr. Fletcher was the first president. He later became Chairman of the Boardof Space General and Systems Vice President of the Aerojet General Corporation, where he served until becoming the eighth president of the University of Utah in 1964. Leaving the University after seven years, Dr. Fletcher returned to work with the aerospace industry through the government when he was appointed administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1971. He served in this capacity until 1977. Following the Challenger disaster in 1986, Fletcher assumed once again took up the reigns at NASA and served as administrator from 1986-1989.
Dr. Fletcher served on more than fifty national committees, and as chairman of ten. In March 1967, he was appointed by President Johnson to the President's Science Advisory Committee for a four year term. He was a member of the National Academy of Engineering, was a Fellow of the IEE and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, Chairman of the Naval Warfare Panel, a Regent of the National Library of Medicine, and on the Visiting Committee of the National Bureau of Standards. He was a member of Sigmi Xi and the recipient of the Alumni Distinguished Service Award of the California Institute of Technology in 1966.
Dr. Fletcher died 22 December 1991.
Under an Eastman Kodak fellowship, Dr. Fletcher received his Ph.D. degree in physics in 1948 from the California Institute of Technology. He joined Hughes Aircraft Company as director of the Theory and Analysis Laboratory in the Electronics Division.
In 1954, Dr. Fletcher joined the Ramo-Wooldridge Corporation as an Associate Director and soon became Director of Electronics in the Guided Missile Research Division, later to become Space Technology Laboratories, with responsibility for all United States ICBM's. In July 1958 Dr. Fletcher organized the Space Electronics Corporation with his associate Frank W. Lehan. Space Electronics Corporation merged with the spacecraft division of Aerojet in 1961 to form the Space General Corporation of which Dr. Fletcher was the first president. He later became Chairman of the Boardof Space General and Systems Vice President of the Aerojet General Corporation, where he served until becoming the eighth president of the University of Utah in 1964. Leaving the University after seven years, Dr. Fletcher returned to work with the aerospace industry through the government when he was appointed administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1971. He served in this capacity until 1977. Following the Challenger disaster in 1986, Fletcher assumed once again took up the reigns at NASA and served as administrator from 1986-1989.
Dr. Fletcher served on more than fifty national committees, and as chairman of ten. In March 1967, he was appointed by President Johnson to the President's Science Advisory Committee for a four year term. He was a member of the National Academy of Engineering, was a Fellow of the IEE and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, Chairman of the Naval Warfare Panel, a Regent of the National Library of Medicine, and on the Visiting Committee of the National Bureau of Standards. He was a member of Sigmi Xi and the recipient of the Alumni Distinguished Service Award of the California Institute of Technology in 1966.
Dr. Fletcher died 22 December 1991.
Extent
182.25 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The James C. Fletcher papers (1933-1992), cover Fletcher's time as NASA Administrator from 1971-1977, and aspects of this professional life following his departure from NASA in the Carter Administration, and his return to NASA following the Challenger disaster in 1986. He also served as President of the University of Utah.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by James C. Fletcher and family (boxes 1-121) in 1992.
Donated by Fletcher family (boxes 122-200) in 2006.
Donated by Stephen and Kelly Fletcher (boxes 201-248) in 2010.
Donated by Fletcher family (boxes 122-200) in 2006.
Donated by Stephen and Kelly Fletcher (boxes 201-248) in 2010.
Separated Materials
The photographs and recordings were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.
Processing Information
Processed in 1992 by Fletcher's office staff.
Addenda processed by Elizabeth Rogers in 2006.
Addenda processed by Betsey Welland in 2010.
Addenda processed by Elizabeth Rogers in 2006.
Addenda processed by Betsey Welland in 2010.
Creator
- Fletcher, James Chipman, 1919-1991 (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the James Chipman Fletcher papers
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Samuel J. Passey, Elizabeth Rogers and Betsey Welland.
- Date
- 2006 (last modified: 2010 and 2019)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu