Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mss.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/mm81057265
Collection material in English, with Russian
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
The papers of Nicholas E. Golovin were given to the Library of Congress by Anne Golovin in 1977 and 2015.
The papers of Nicholas E. Golovin were arranged and described in 1991 by Kathleen Dondanville. The finding aid was revised in 2010. An addition was processed and the finding aid revised by Rachel McNellis in 2023.
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Nicholas E. Golovin is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
The papers of Nicholas E. Golovin are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container number, Nicholas E. Golovin Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
The papers of Nicholas Erasmus Golovin span the period 1915-1971, with the bulk of the material dated between 1958 and 1969. The collection primarily documents Golovin's professional and academic activities as an administrator, physicist, and presidential technical adviser in the field of space science and technology. In a general sense, the papers also reveal some of the prevalent attitudes of the Great Society era in which Golovin worked. Many of his projects reflect a strong interest in the advancement of space science and exploration, and the concept of using modern technology to solve social and racial problems. The collection has generally been kept in original order and is organized into six series: Personal File, Chronological File, Speeches and Writings, Office of Science and Technology, New York University Creative Science Program, and 2023 Addition.
The Personal File contains a wide variety of material. Included is correspondence between Golovin and friends, colleagues, and business associates, primarily about employment opportunities, the direction of their professional careers, and other work-related topics. The series also contains military, academic, and employment records, biographical materials, magazine articles of interest or relating to Golovin, certificates of award, notes and newspaper clippings regarding books in which Golovin held an interest, and several photographs. A few pieces of correspondence between his widow, Anne Golovin, and one of Golovin's business associates, written after Golovin's death in 1970, are included in this file.
The Chronological File contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, meeting summaries, working diaries, and notes documenting Golovin's daily professional activities at the National Bureau of Standards, White Sands Missile Range, Advanced Research Projects Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Office of Science and Technology. Records from the National Bureau of Standards primarily concern routine, administrative matters, while later records created during Golovin's tenure at NASA and the Office of Science and Technology contain substantial information on space science and technology projects. Of particular interest are records dating 1960-1961 documenting his work with the Large Launch Vehicle Planning Group. This program, sponsored by NASA and the Department of Defense, developed launch vehicles appropriate for lunar and planetary exploration.
Material documenting his daily activities in the Office of Science and Technology as technical adviser for aviation and space science are also of special significance. Included are memoranda and reports prepared by Golovin for the White House regarding such topics as the supersonic transport noise problem, space propulsion systems, and the development of manned space flight. The Chronological File also includes invitations and itineraries relating to Golovin's public and professional activities in various scientific organizations and correspondence regarding his numerous technical writing projects. Prominent correspondents include Edward Uhler Condon, Donald F. Hornig, Charles S. Murphy, Jerome B. Wiesner, and other professionals.
The Speeches and Writings series is comprised mostly of notes, drafts, and final copies and printed versions of addresses, remarks, lectures, articles, book reviews, and papers by Golovin. Speeches and writings are primarily concerned with space science and technology. Material relating to Golovin's well-known paper titled "A Fourth Branch of Government" is notable. Written with financial support from the Ford Foundation, Golovin's paper proposed the creation of an additional branch of government designed to function independently from the original three branches. This fourth branch would employ physicists and social scientists to make sound technological choices in public policy. Included are the proposal's original research notes and later typewritten transcriptions completed under the direction of Golovin's wife after his death.
The Office of Science and Technology series consists primarily of correspondence, memoranda, reports, and notes pertaining to Golovin's most significant projects and programs at the Office of Science and Technology. The file includes documentation of his participation in several International Astronautical Congresses and his role in improving the planning, programming, and budgeting system in the Office of Science and Technology. Agendas, meeting summaries, press releases, and reports documenting Golovin's work as a member of the Presidential Science Advisory Committee are especially significant. The committee, composed of government officials and individuals in the science and technology profession, developed recommendations for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson on such matters as space science vehicles and the Apollo space program.
The New York University Creative Science Program series, containing correspondence, memoranda, agendas, papers, bibliographies, and manuscript drafts relating to Golovin's associate membership in Myron Coler's creative science program. This program was primarily concerned with the investigation of creativity patterns in the sciences and the cultivation of creativity as one of the most important educational needs and responsibilities. Records in this series document the research group's seminar sessions and scholarly activities. Also included are chapter drafts and a published copy of
The 2023 Addition is comprised of articles, biographical material, clippings, correspondence, memoranda, photographs, school memorabilia, speeches, and writings. The material focuses primarily on Golovin’s work and academic research in the field of space science, and relates directly to the activities and subject matter documented in other series. The correspondence consists of letters between Golovin and his business associates, while numerous condolence letters sent to Anne Golovin following his death reveal a vast network of professional connections within political and scientific circles. This series also contains significant family papers pertaining to Golovin’s childhood and education. Of special interest are immigration and naturalization records for his father and mother, Erazm Golovin and Galina Golovin, his father’s military records, and early family photographs.
This collection is arranged in six series:
Correspondence between Golovin and friends, colleagues, and business associates pertaining to his career and financial interests; employment, academic, and military records; biographical material, magazine articles, and newspaper clippings of interest or relating to Golovin; and certificates, notes, and photographs.
Arrangement is by type of material and chronological thereunder.
Correspondence, memoranda, reports, meeting summaries, invitations, itineraries, papers, articles, newspaper clippings, news releases, working diaries, and notes documenting Golovin's daily work activities while employed in the field of science and technology.
Arranged in chronological order.
Manuscripts in various stages of preparation, including notes, drafts, final copies, and printed versions of addresses, remarks, lectures, book reviews, papers, and articles by Golovin. Also includes programs and printed material.
Speeches and writings are organized separately and arranged in chronological order.
Correspondence, memoranda, reports, itineraries, schedules, newspaper clippings, printed material, and notes pertaining to Golovin's significant projects, programs, and international conferences during his tenure at the Office of Science and Technology.
Arranged by subject and thereunder by type of material.
Correspondence, memoranda, agendas, meeting summaries, papers, reports, bibliographies, manuscript drafts, printed material, and a book pertaining to Golovin's work as an associate of the Creative Science Program at New York University.
Arrangement is by session year and type of material. Files documenting the program's publication project appear at the end of the series and are arranged by type of material.
Articles, clippings, correspondence, memoranda, photographs, speeches, and writings pertaining to Golovin’s work in the field of aviation and space science, as well as biographical material documenting his education and family matters.
Arranged alphabetically by material type or subject.