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Creator
CIBA-GEIGY Corporation
Call number
Sc MG 422
Physical description
4.0 linear feet (4 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
[Item], CIBA-GEIGY Exceptional Black Scientists collection, Sc MG 422, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library
Sponsor
Home to Harlem Project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Repository
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

The CIBA-GEIGY Corporation Exceptional Black Scientists Collection is divided into two series: Information on Scientists and Distribution of Posters and Videotape. There is biographical information on each of the fifteen scientists honored by CIBA-GEIGY as well as scientists who were considered but not selected for the poster award, including William T. Wright, surgeon and civil rights leader. Material about Ernest Crichlow, the portrait artist, is also included. Correspondence with individuals and organizations requesting copies of the posters and videotape produced by CIBA-GEIGY, shipping orders and a statistical analysis of those making requests comprise the remainder of the collection.

Biographical/historical information

CIBA-GEIGY Corporation is a large, diversified chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturer with headquarters in Ardsley, New York. In 1980, CIBA-GEIGY initiated the Exceptional Black Scientist Poster Program to acquaint the general public with the achievements of some black scientists and to encourage minorities to pursue careers in science, medicine, and mathematics.

CIBA-GEIGY Corporation selected black individuals each year who made significant contributions to their respective fields of science and commissioned Ernest Crichlow, noted black artist and illustrator, to paint their portraits. Posters were made from the portraits and distributed free of charge to individuals, academic institutions and organizations. The fifteen scientists honored were David Blackwell, Jewel Plummer Cobb, W. Montague Cobb, Charles Drew, Lloyd N. Ferguson, Shirley Ann Jackson, Percy L. Julian, Ernest Everett Just, Reatha Clark King, Samuel L. Kountz, LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., Walter E. Massey, Jennie R. Patrick, Augustus A. White II, and Jane Wright, from the fields of medicine, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering.

Scope and arrangement

The CIBA-GEIGY Corporation Exceptional Black Scientists Collection is divided into two series: Information on Scientists and Distribution of Posters and Videotape. There is biographical information on each of the fifteen scientists honored by CIBA-GEIGY as well as scientists who were considered but not selected for the poster award, including William T. Wright, surgeon and civil rights leader. Material about Ernest Crichlow, the portrait artist, is also included. Correspondence with individuals and organizations requesting copies of the posters and videotape produced by CIBA-GEIGY, shipping orders and a statistical analysis of those making requests comprise the remainder of the collection.

The CIBA-GEIGY Exceptional Black Scientists collection is arranged in two series:

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift, CIBA-GEIGY Corporation

Revision History

This finding aid was updated by Allison Hughes. (2022 January 7)

Using the collection

Location

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801
Second Floor