Burndy Library
Encyclopedia
The Burndy Library, founded in 1941 by electrical engineer, industrialist, and historian Bern Dibner
, is one of the world's largest libraries of books on the history of science and technology. The holdings include important scientific literature from antiquity to the 20th century. Highlights of the collection include works of Isaac Newton
and Louis Pasteur
, a 1544 edition of Archimedes'
mathematical text Philosophi ac Geometrae and many important original works from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The "Burndy" appellation was invented by Dibner himself and represents a portmanteau or blend of his first and last names.
The library was originally located at the Burndy Engineering Company
in Norwalk
, Connecticut
. In 1974 Bern Dibner donated one-quarter of the Burndy Library's holdings to the Smithsonian Institution
to form the nucleus of a research library in the history of science and technology. In 1976, the Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology opened at the Smithsonian Institution
and remains part of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries
housed at the National Museum of American History
, Behring Center in Washington, DC.
The remainder of the Burndy Library collection remained in Norwalk until after Bern Dibner's death in 1988. It was moved to the campus of MIT in 1992 with the establishment of the Dibner Institute for the History of Science and Technology
.
In November 2006, the approximately 67,000 holdings of the Burndy Library were transferred to The Huntington Library
in San Marino
, California
as a gift of the Dibner family and the Dibner Fund. The library offers a Dibner History of Science Program to fund fellowships, a lecture series and annual conference.
Bern Dibner
Bern Dibner was an electrical engineer, industrialist, and historian of science and technology.Dibner was born near Kiev, Ukraine in 1897. He moved to the United States with his family at the age of 7. In 1921, he graduated from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn with a degree in Electrical...
, is one of the world's largest libraries of books on the history of science and technology. The holdings include important scientific literature from antiquity to the 20th century. Highlights of the collection include works of Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
and Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur was a French chemist and microbiologist born in Dole. He is remembered for his remarkable breakthroughs in the causes and preventions of diseases. His discoveries reduced mortality from puerperal fever, and he created the first vaccine for rabies and anthrax. His experiments...
, a 1544 edition of Archimedes'
Archimedes
Archimedes of Syracuse was a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer. Although few details of his life are known, he is regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. Among his advances in physics are the foundations of hydrostatics, statics and an...
mathematical text Philosophi ac Geometrae and many important original works from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The "Burndy" appellation was invented by Dibner himself and represents a portmanteau or blend of his first and last names.
The library was originally located at the Burndy Engineering Company
BURNDY
Burndy LLC is a manufacturer of connectors, fittings and tools for electrical utilities, commercial, industrial, and maintenance companies. The company, headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, has approximately 1,200 employees and operates three manufacturing facilities in the Northeastern...
in Norwalk
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. In 1974 Bern Dibner donated one-quarter of the Burndy Library's holdings to the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
to form the nucleus of a research library in the history of science and technology. In 1976, the Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology opened at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
and remains part of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Smithsonian Institution Libraries
The Smithsonian Institution Libraries system comprises 20 libraries serving the various Smithsonian Institution museums and research centers. SIL's holdings include 1.5 million volumes as well as a wide array of digital resources. The collections focus primarily on science, art, history and...
housed at the National Museum of American History
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center collects, preserves and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Among the items on display are the original Star-Spangled Banner and Archie Bunker's...
, Behring Center in Washington, DC.
The remainder of the Burndy Library collection remained in Norwalk until after Bern Dibner's death in 1988. It was moved to the campus of MIT in 1992 with the establishment of the Dibner Institute for the History of Science and Technology
Dibner Institute for the History of Science and Technology
The Dibner Institute for the History of Science and Technology was a research institute established at MIT, and housed in a renovated building on campus at 38 Memorial Drive, overlooking the Charles River....
.
In November 2006, the approximately 67,000 holdings of the Burndy Library were transferred to The Huntington Library
The Huntington Library
The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens is an educational and research institution established by Henry E. Huntington in San Marino, in the San Rafael Hills near Pasadena, California in the United States...
in San Marino
San Marino, California
San Marino is a small, affluent city in Los Angeles County, California. Incorporated in 1913, the City founders designed the community to be uniquely residential, with expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide streets, and well maintained parkways...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
as a gift of the Dibner family and the Dibner Fund. The library offers a Dibner History of Science Program to fund fellowships, a lecture series and annual conference.