University of Glasgow, Genetics Department

This series includes copies of correspondence between Pontecorvo and Sir Hector Hetherington, Principal of the University of Glasgow, concerning new accommodation for the Genetics Department. It is unclear whether Pontecorvo asked for photocopies of this correspondence after leaving the originals in the Department when he left in 1968, or whether his daughter, Lisa, obtained copies of this correspondence after his death. Either way it is an important bundle of correspondence, which should be kept with the rest of Pontecorvo's papers. His letters emphasise his determination in establishing a respected and successful Department of Genetics at Glasgow and his dedication in securing adequate facilitites and teaching space for his students.

The series also contains research reports from visiting academics and postgraduate students who were supervised by Pontecorvo during their visits to his department.

Pontecorvo founded the Department of Genetics when he became Lecturer of Genetics at the University's Zoology Department in 1945. A new department was set up in the Anatomy laboratories of the Anderson College building soon afterwards. He became a Reader of Genetics in 1952 and the University's first Professor of Genetics in 1955. He held this Chair until 1968 when he left Glasgow to work at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London.