2021-07-07 Guide to the Charles A. Burroughs Oral History, 2001-2002, 2009 SPEC.PA.56.0099 Finding aid prepared by Audrey Wimbiscus Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2021 June This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2021-07-07T10:04-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Charles A. Burroughs Oral History SPEC.PA.56.0099 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.06 Cubic feet 2001-2002, 2009 Charles A. Burroughs worked as a geodetic surveyor with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); he helped establish coast and geodetic triangulation stations in the Arctic, and later worked at NOAA headquarters as an administrator. The Charles A. Burroughs Oral History, dated 2001-2002 and 2009, contains notes, correspondence, and transcripts of the interview between Burroughs and Brian Shoemaker on October 31, 2001. Major topics of the oral history include Burroughs' work on triangulation fieldwork in the Arctic regions, and his field and administrative work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (4) audiocassettes; (2) letter file folders English Burroughs, Charles A. Arrangement of Materials

Materials are arranged in the order created during the interview process with the first file containing notes and correspondence created before, during, and after the interview.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.2001.0018: Charles A. Burroughs, 2001 October

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Charles A. Burroughs Oral History, SPEC.PA.56.0099, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains audiocassettes.

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the University Archives reading room only. Audio/visual materials may need a use copy produced before access is allowed. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Biographical Note

Captain Charles A. Burroughs attended the University of Connecticut for civil engineering from 1953-1958. After graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) after 1970); he then worked aboard a ship in the archipelago of the southeast Alaskan Islands as a geodetic surveyor. In 1960, he worked on another ship in the Bering Sea as an instrument man on the survey crew. Burroughs then went to the Ohio State University from 1962-1963 to study geodetic science. In November and December 1964, he was involved with the establishment of the first coast and geodetic satellite triangulation station in the Arctic region of Canada. Burroughs spent September 1965 making four triangulation stations, which helped to create more accurate photographic mapping systems of the Arctic Basin. From 1976 until his retirement in 1985, he worked in various staff and administrative positions at NOAA headquarters. Following his retirement, Burroughs began selling used and rare books under the name Stepladder Books; he is active in the used and rare books field as of 2021.

 Scope and Contents

The Charles A. Burroughs Oral History, dated 2001-2002 and 2009, contains notes, correspondence, and transcripts of the interview between Burroughs and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society conducted on October 31, 2001. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by the American Polar Society and Ohio State University’s Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics of the oral history include Burroughs' work on triangulation fieldwork in the Arctic regions, his field and administrative work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and his continued involvement in mapping societies following his retirement in 1985.

 Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.

 Burroughs, Charles A. U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Audiocassettes Geodesy--Arctic regions--20th century Geodetic satellites--Arctic regions--20th century Government executives--Arctic regions--20th century Oral histories (literary works) Satellite geodesy--Arctic regions--20th century Scientific bureaus--United States--Management--20th century Notes, correspondence Polar Oral History 4 9 2001-2002, 2009 Interview recording Polar Oral History 6 1-2 2001 October 31 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; aproximate run time: 128 minutes Audiocassette; approximate run time: 33 minutes Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online:

Cassette 1 Cassette 2

 Interview recording copy Polar Oral History 9 1-2 2001 October 31 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: 128 minutes Audiocassette; approximate run time: 33 minutes Transcript Polar Oral History 4 10 2001 October 31 Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.