Judson, Horace Freeland.

After a varied career as graduate student, researcher for the American O.M.G. in Berlin, editor, advertising copywriter, and journalist, Judson found his metier as a chronicler and historian of science. His masterpiece, The Eighth Day of Creation, established him in 1979 as peerless in the use of taped interviews, usually repeated and revised several times, as a basis of probing the actual genesis of discovery and the history of ideas in modern science.

The Horace Judson Papers (1968-1978) contain correspondence and transcripts of interviews with molecular biologists concerning the development of their field. Judson used this research as the basis for a series of articles published as "Annals of Science: DNA" in The New Yorker issues of November 27, December 4, and December 11, 1978, and later compiled them in book-length form as The Eighth Day of Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Biology (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1979).

Many, but not all of Judson's interviews are transcribed in full or entirely verbatim. In some cases, however, the transcripts are sketchy, and might more properly be called notes on a conversation. In case of doubt, the recordings alone (Rec. 113A) are the actual record, and reference should be made to them. It should be stressed that these transcripts and notes were made by Judson and may ignore background discussions that Judson had no need to refer to later, but that others may find of value.

From the guide to the Horace Freeland Judson Collection, 1968-1978, (American Philosophical Society)