Correspondence re publication of The Origin of Life on the Earth and possible follow-up book The Nature of Life
Title inscribed inside front cover. Used from the front for translations in Synge's hand of articles from Biokhimiya 5 (1940), and from the back for translation in Ann Synge's hand of article from Biokhimiya 7 and (in both hands) of 'Soviet Gramicidin and the treatment of wounds' (1943).
Synge and Ann Synge at Lindau, West Germany, June 1977.
Inscribed on verso '[...] last night of Phytochemical Societies' Conference at Gent - Sept. 1977'.
West Hackhurst. - Thanks Bessie for her kind letter. His 'contusions swelled to exaggerated proportions' at Cambridge; he 'fell on [his] nose at the Wings for Victory Garden Party' and also bruised both wrists, but 'carried on as usual afterwards, and no bleeding'. Had not heard Max [Beerbohm?] 'nearly tumbled'. Wishes he had seen his lecture: has just been sent the proofs from Cambridge and 'as reading, it is rather flimsy'.
Has just had a letter from Moya Davies; she asks him to tell Bessie that she is 'very anxious to know about Leo Hubrecht and her children, especially Julie'; thinks they 'were at Switzerland just before the war, the younger children at school in Holland'. Also has a 'dear friend in Burma, Carola Toennies' and another in Italy, and has not had a word from either since the beginning of the war; supposes 'it is the same with everyone'. Gives Moya's address as 'Killadreenan House, Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow, Eire' in case Bessie wants to write direct, or he could send a message for her if she prefers. Richard [Moya's son] has a new wife 'in the place of Ann Stephen, who has got someone else [Richard Synge]'.
Is very pleased with the new Abinger Chronicle; 'not entirely carrried away' by his own contribution, but Bob's is 'very good'. Asks whether she agrees that they are generally *much more comfortable and vigourous [sic] on our own'; found S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge] a 'most enervating editress'.
His mother is 'fairly well, though she hasn't been up to her former level since illness at the beginning of the year'; she is enjoying the garden, which is 'lovely'. Hopes that Bessie will be able to visit soon, though next week he will be away a great deal. Went to see Florence [Barger] yesterday, who 'seems very well and is on yet another committee - reforming London University'; gathers Edith Mathews is staying with her. Margaret is 'cheerful, but no better, whatever Florence says or thinks or pretends to think'; would be better if she went to an institution, and she will have to one day as it is 'too much for Florence and Harriet'.
Sends his and his mother's love.
The conference, held 19-24 August 1957, was organised by the biochemist Professor A.I. Oparin of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. His book, The Origin of Life on the Earth, was being translated into English by Ann Synge and much of the correspondence refers to this. Synge was accompanied by his family and they travelled to Moscow overland.
G/37-38: Correspondence re symposium arrangements, translation of The Origin of Life on the Earth, publication of Synge's contribution (1956-1959).
G/39 Provisional programme; programme; lists of participants; etc.
G/40: Manuscript and typescript drafts of Synge's lecture; typescript abstract.
G/41: Printed 'Rough correction copy' and copy 'As corrected' of Synge's contribution for publication, both with manuscript corrections.
G/42: Letters home from Synge to his parents, August-September 1957. The letters are principally domestic, recounting travel experiences etc.
G/43: 'A 20th-Century Look at Life', Sunday Times, 25 August 1957, annotated 'Based on report telephoned by RLMS'; manuscript drafts of report by Synge on the Symposium; questionnaire given to Synge 'For Saturday afternoon Moscow News' (not filled out)
G/44: Duplicated typescript papers by others.
G/45: Correspondence re arrangements for visit to Poland; miscellaneous notes.
Many of the letters are first name only and may include more distant relatives.
A/255: 1920s
A/356: 1930s
A/357: 1940-1948
A/358: 1948
A/359: 1949-1952
A/360: 1953-1957
A/361: 1960s-1970s
A/362: 1981-1982
A/363: 1983
A/364: 1984-1985
A/365: 1986-1987
A/366: 1988-1989
A/367: 1990-1991
A/368-369: undated correspondence.
The letters relate to Richard Synge's relationship with his wife.
The letters relate to Richard Synge's relationship with his wife.
A/327: 1946-1956
A/328: 1956-1966
A/329: 1966 on
Written when Richard Synge was attending the International Wool Textile Research Conference in Australia.
A/323: Aug 1955
A/324: Sept 1955
A/325: Oct 1955
From 1943, the letters are mostly to Synge when he was away attending visits and conferences.
A/313: 1941
A/314: 1942
A/315: 1944-1945
A/316: 1948
A/317: 1949
A/318: [1940s]
A/319: 1951-1955
A/320: 1955
A/321: 1957-1958
A/322: 1969, 1985, and undated letters.
Notification of award of President's Silver Medal, Biological Society, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, 8 October 1941; notification of appointment as part-time Casualty Officer, Hammersmith Hospital, 3 May 1945; letter re vacancy at Social Medicine Research Unit, 30 December 1948.
From the start Richard Synge's letters to his parents were frequent, usually giving detailed reports of daily activities, both work and leisure.
A/280: 1925-1936
A/281: 1927-1929
A/282: 1930
A/283: 1931
A/284: Feb-Jul 1932
A/285: Sept-Dec 1932
A/286: Jan-Jul 1933
A/287: Aug-Dec 1933
A/288: Jan-May 1924
A/289: Jul-Nov 1934
A/290: Jan-Apr 1935
A/291: May-Dec 1935
A/292: 1936
A/293: 1937
A/294: 1938
A/295: 1939
A/296: Jan-Jun 1940
A/297: Jul-Dec 1940
A/298: Jan-Jun 1941. Includes letters from Ann Synge.
A/299: Jul-Dec 1941
A/300: 1942
A/301: 1943
A/302: 1944
A/303: 1945
A/304: 1946
A/305: 1947-1950
A/306: 1951-1953
A/307: 1954-1948
A/308: 1960-1961
A/309: 1962-1975
A/310: 1966-1969
A/311: 1970-1972
A/262: 1915-1918
A/263: 1921
A/264: 1922
A/265: Mar-Jun 1924
A/266: Jul-Dec 1924
A/267: Jan-Jun 1935
A/268: Sept-Oct 1925
A/269: Jan-Mar 1926
A/270: May-Jul 1926
A/271: Sept-Dec 1926
A/272: Feb-Mar 1927
A/273: Oct-Dec 1927
A/274: 1928
A/275: 1941-1945. Includes letters to Ann Synge.
A/276: 1948-1948. Includes letters to Ann Synge.
A/277: 1949. Includes letters to Ann Synge.
A/278: 1950-1952. Includes letters to Ann Synge.
A/279: 1953-1959, 1966. Includes letters to Ann Synge.
Visit in Dec. 1987.
Synge was an Adviser to the Haldane Research Centre, see H/72. In 1987 he opened the Library and Guest House at the Centre.
G/251: Album of photographs of Richard and Ann Synge at the Haldane Research Centre; identified on verso.
G/252: Letter from T. A. Davis, Director, Haldane Research Centre, arising from visit.
G/253: 'Inauguration of Library and Guest House Building of JBS Haldane Research Centre at Nagercoli' by T. A. Davis. Printed copy of speech.
Correspondence, 1966, 1972-1973. In 1966 an English edition of Medvedev's book Protein Synthesis was published by Oliver & Boyd, translated by Ann Synge and edited by Synge.
'Om fordelningskromatografi. Nobelpriset i kemi 1952' by W. Forsling, Sartryck ur Elementa (1953);
Wool Industries Research Association Bulletin 15 (1953), with article on the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 1952, pp.11-13;
sketch of Synge and his wife in Sweden;
comic songs by D.L. Mould and A.T. Phillipson celebrating Synge's achievements;
signed menu from celebratory dinner in Aberdeen, 26 November 1952.
Incomplete letter by Ann Synge to her mother dated 20 December 1952 giving detailed account of the visit to date; manuscript notes by Synge.
Incomplete letter by Ann Synge to her mother dated 20 December 1952 giving detailed account of the visit to date; manuscript notes by Synge.