Science and Religion Correspondence, 1939-1967

File — Box: 4

Identifier: II

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Series: This section contains thirty-three boxes of correspondence documenting virtually every aspect of Cook's work and ideas on science and religion issues from 1939 to 1990. Boxes 4-6 contain material which relates to the development of Cook's ideas on the relationship between experimental science and doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Much of the correspondence here is in response to the publication of Prehistory and Earth Models and Science and Mormonism, and to Cook's various church-sponsored speaking engagements. Cook's University of Utah career is well-documented in this section, from his first inquiry letter in 1946, to his being offered the position of full professor of metallurgy in 1947, to his resignation letter in 1970. Boxes 7-16 contain correspondence documenting Cook's academic responsibilities, including his work with graduate students, his struggle to get his more controversial theories published, and his participation in various conferences and symposia. Boxes 14 and 16 contain correspondence related to Cook's directorship of the Explosives Research Group (later the Institute of Metals and Explosives Research), which was formed to administer the research and development on explosives required by contracts between the university and various military agencies. Boxes 17-23 contain correspondence, memos, patent reports, and various documents pertaining to the organization, operation and legal disputes of Intermountain Research and Engineering Company (IRECO), Cook Associates (CA), and Cook-Atlas Slurry Company (CASCO). Boxes 24-34 contain correspondence and other documents related to Cook's activities as a consultant from 1947-1990. This portion of the collection documents the breadth of Cook's experience in the field of explosives, as his opinion was sought on matters ranging from a home explosion in Salt Lake City to the disastrous PEPCON and Texas City explosions. In addition to correspondence, these boxes contain contracts, reports on laboratory experiments, legal documents, handwritten notes, news clippings, brochures, corporate publications, and journal articles. Boxes 35 and 36 contain cards requesting reprints of professional articles.

Dates

1939-1967

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.