Abstract & Biographical Note

This is the abstract and biographical note for the Module #2 Assignment for INFO-256 with Erin Lawrimore.

Abstract:

This collection includes Eric T. (“Ted”) Carlson’s correspondence and private papers from 1944-1946. The personal letters discuss Carlson’s opinions on the World War 2 efforts and U.S. Army reserves corps life, as well as references to popular films and pastimes. Other materials include documentation of his army assignments and Carlson’s school records.

Biographical Note:

Eric T. (“Ted”) Carlson was an army scientist who participated in the World War 2 chemical research. After graduating from Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Ted Carlson was drafted as a private into the United States Army in August 1944 at Fort Snelling, MN. He was then transferred to the Enlisted Reserve Corps where he worked at the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, MI as a Laboratory Engineer. In October 1945 Carlson was called to active duty at Fort Sheriden, Illinois, received basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and finally was assigned to the Monsanto Chemical Company in Dayton, Ohio.

Carlson was discharged from the army on April 7, 1946, continuing his work at Monsanto as a Research Assistant Chemist. During this time he was the co-editor of the Dayton Scientist, a publication where he promoted the demilitarization of nuclear power. Carlson was accepted to Cornell University in 1946 under the G.I. Bill and moved to New York at the end of that year.