urn:taro:utexas.cah.00222 R. H. Bing Papers, 1934-1986 Text converted by SPI Content Sciences Inc., April 2003. Finding aid written in English. September 17, 2003 Edited with XmetaL 2 by Kristy Sorensen according to instructions in TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. Descriptive Summary Bing, R. H. R. H. Bing Papers, 1934-1986 94-208 Materials are written in English. 4 ft., 10 in.; manuscript, typescript, printed. Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin Papers document the career of R. H. Bing (1914-1986) in geometric topology, largely as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin (1973-1986). Included are correspondence, research and lecture notes, drafts of publications, teaching material, memoranda, reports, newspaper clippings, preprints, and reprints. Index Terms Bing, R. H. Moore, R. L. (Robert Lee), 1882- University of Texas at Austin. Dept. of Mathematics University of Texas at Austin. Archives of American Mathematics National Academy of Sciences (U. S.), Section of Mathematics Topology Biographical Note

R. H. Bing was born in Oakwood, Texas, on October 20, l914. He graduated from Southwest Texas State Teachers College, San Marcos, in 1935 and, after several years as a high school mathematics teacher, commenced graduate study at the University of Texas at Austin under R. L. Moore, receiving his doctorate in 1945. In 1947 he moved to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he remained until returning to the University of Texas in 1973. Bing was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1965 (council member, 1970-1980), and was a member of the National Science Board (1968-1974) and of the National Research Council governing board (1977-1980). Bing was active in several mathematical organizations, including the Mathematical Association of America (president, 1963-1964), the American Mathematical Society (president, 1977-1978), the Council Board for the Mathematical Sciences (chairman, 1965-1966), the Mathematical Sciences Section of the National Academy of Sciences (chairman, 1970-1973), and the Division of Mathematical Sciences of the National Research Council (1967-1969). In 1974 he received the Mathematical Association of America Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics.

Bing's research concentrated on the geometric topology of 3-manifolds, particularly their pathology. His side approximation theorem for 2-spheres in Euclidean 3-space and his "Bing shrinking" procedure have been generalized to higher dimensional manifolds. Bing summarized the field in his The Geometric Topology of 3-Manifolds (1983).

Source: Anderson, R. D. and C. E. Burgess, "R. H. Bing, October 20, 1914 - April 28, 1986," Notices of the American Mathematical Society, 33 (Aug. 1986):595-596.

 Scope and Content

The Bing papers primarily contain material from his years at the University of Texas at Austin (1973-1986). Bing's work in preserving the memory and papers of Robert Lee Moore (7 in.), records of the formation of the Archives of American Mathematics (1974-86; 4 in.), and the preparation of an unpublished Moore memorial volume (1973-80; 12 in.) are included. Bing's many services to the scientific and mathematical communities are documented by records of his work for the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council (1967-86; 3 in.), and for topology conferences and institutes (1965-86; 2 in.). Documentation of Bing's membership in the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America is sparse. Bing's topological work is chiefly reflected in manuscript material and dittoed preprints (with annotations) of his The Geometric Topology of 3-Manifolds (1983).

Forms part of the Archives of American Mathematics.

 Access Restrictions

A portion of these papers is stored remotely at CDL. Advance notice required for retrieval. Contact repository for retrieval. Photographs are stored on-site.

 Preferred Citation

R. H. Bing Papers, 1934-1986, Archives of American Mathematics, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.

 Organization

Organized into twelve series:

General Correspondence Research and Writing Conferences and Lectures Faculty Activities Teaching Archives of American Mathematics R. L. Moore - Biographical and Memorial Items National Academy of Sciences Other Professional Activities Personal Publications by Others Photographs

A portion of R. H. Bing's papers are in the Archives of Southwest Texas State University.

Detailed Description of the Papers General correspondence: 94-208/1 1979-1986 88-1/1 1984-85 Research and writing: 88-1/1 Preprints and reprints 88-1/1 1948-1959 88-1/1 1960-1967 88-1/1 1968-1971 88-1/1 1971-1981 88-1/1 Award for Distinguished Service to Professor Raymond L. Wilder correspondence, drafts, proofs, 1973 88-1/2 Papers submitted for publication,correspondence, manuscripts, 1985-1986 88-1/2 Topology of 3-Manifolds, dittoed copies with annotations and comments 88-1/2 Research notes and drafts (some related to The Geometric Topology of 3-Manifolds), 1983 88-1/3 Grant application, 1980 Conferences and lectures: 88-1/3 Summer Research Institute, 1965-1967 88-1/3 Proposed mathematics research institute, 1978 88-1/3 Topology conferences, 1979-1986 88-1/3 Topology Summer Conference, 1980: 88-1/3 General 1980 4RM11 "Rogue's Gallery," polaroid portraits [98-204] 1980 98-204/1 Southwest Texas State Topology Conference honoring R. H. Bing, 1984 88-1/3 Lectures, 1985-1986 Faculty activities: 94-208/1 University of Wisconsin, salaries, 1967-1973 88-1/3 Bing Fellowship, 1985-1986 88-1/3 University of Texas at Austin Mathematics Award, 1974-1976 88-1/3 University of Texas Mathematics Department, memos, correspondence, 1977, 1985-1986 Teaching 88-1/4 Handouts, examinations, evaluations, (University of Wisconsin) 1981-1986, and undated 2010-054/1Recommendations [files donated by Albert C. Lewis, April 2007], 1977-1979, 1985-1986 Archives of American Mathematics: 88-1/4 Correspondence and memos, 1974-1978 88-1/4 Correspondence and memos, 1979 88-1/4 Joint Fact-Finding Committee on Archives, 1979 88-1/4 Correspondence and memos, 1980-1986 R. L. Moore - Biographical and Memorial Items 88-1/5 Memorial Resolution, obituaries, biographical articles (with correspondence), 1975-1985 88-1/5 Forced retirement, 1969 88-1/5 D. Forbes' teaching method study, 1969-1981 88-1/5 Preservation of Moore home, 1975-1978 88-1/5 R. L. Moore Instructorship 88-1/5 Correspondence and memos, 1975-1981 88-1/5 Records of donations, 1976-1978 R. L. Moore (unpublished book): 88-1/6 Correspondence, plans, background material, 1973-1980 88-1/6 Chapters by R. E. Greenwood and R. L. Wilder, correspondence and drafts 88-1/6 Chapter by Lucille Whyburn, correspondence and drafts 88-1/6 Correspondence relating to the University of Texas Press, 1976-1980 88-1/6 Typescripts of introductory chapters, and photocopies of Moore reprints and photographs 88-1/7 Copy I 88-1/8 Copy II National Academy of Sciences: 88-1/8 Department of Defence (Anti-war scientists), 1968 88-1/8 Stephen Smale, 1966-1968 88-1/9 Final Report of the National Board on Graduate Education, 1975 88-1/9 Memos and correspondence, 1974-1986 88-1/9 National Research Council, 1967-1971 Other professional activities: 88-1/9 Mathematical Association of America, 1985-1986 88-1/9 American Mathematical Society, 1976-1986 88-1/9 National Science Foundation proposal reviews, 1985 94-208/1 Southwest Texas State University, R. H. Bing Collection and endowed fund for mathematics, 1985 and undated Personal: 94-208/1 General, 1939-1948, 1979 and undated 94-208/1 Awards: 94-208/1 American Mathematical Monthly Award for Distinguished Service, February 1974 94-208/1 Mathematical Association of America Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics, 1974 94-208/1 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Southwest Texas State University, 1979-1980 94-208/1 Honorary degree from Kenyon College, 1980 94-208/1 Distinguished alumnus conference and exhibit, Southwest Texas State University, 1984: 94-208/1 Manuscript material, 1984 4RM11 Photographs, black and white, 1984 94-208/1 [Unidentified award/retirement], tributes from Bing's secretaries, April 10, 1985 and undated 94-208/1 Other honors, 1971-1988 and undated 94-208/1 Clippings, undated 94-208/1 Diplomas and certificates: 94-208/1 Diplomas and certificates, 1935-1956 4RM55a Oversized diplomas, 1938, 1945 94-208/1 Mathematical descendants, 1977 94-208/1 Lists of publications, 1972 and undated 94-208/1 Notes, undated 94-208/1 Polska Akademia Nauk [Polish Academy of Sciences], empty portfolio, undated 94-208/1 Scrapbooks: 94-208/1 Scrapbook one [red scrapbook]: 94-208/1 Manuscript material, 1951-1977 4RM11 Photographs: 4RM11 General, 1966, 1978 and undated 4RM11 R. L. Moore building dedication, 1973 94-208/1 Scrapbook two [green scrapbook]: 94-208/1 Manuscript material, 1965-1986 and undated 94-208/2 Manuscript material, 1965-1986 and undated 4RM11 Photographs, [includes photograph of Bing with LBJ], November 1969 and undated 94-208/2 Unfiled printed mateiral, correspondence, and notes, 1939, 1973-1984 and undated 88-1/9 Curriculum vita and reprint distribution data Publications by others (some annotated): 88-1/9 A - B 88-1/10 F - Haken 88-1/10 Hutchinson - M 88-1/10 Moise, E. E. 88-1/10 P - Z 4RM11 Photographs: 4RM11 Black and white, 1934-1973 and undated 4RM11 Color, 1969-1986 and undated