Thorburn Brailsford Robertson (1884-1930)
Papers c1902-1990

MSS 574.19 R65pa

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Series 2 : Notebooks

2. 1. 1st year Inorganic Chemistry notes from lectures delivered by Professor Rennie M.A. D.Sc. Adelaide University 1903; also Table of ionic velocities. Ms notebook. Incomplete: begins ‘(Ag continued) Chloride'. Loose notes on Analysis of solids and Analysis of liquids inserted. Second section beginning with chemistry of gasses includes copy of ‘Terminal examination 1903'

2.2 Early notebook of T.B. Robertson with later writings by his wife J.W. Robertson. 1903-09? Ms.
Contents. Quotes from Bunge's Text-book of physiological & pathological chemistry; [notes on contraction]; [notes/essays on religion, social evolution, inheritance, Suggestions for future investigations in physiology and suggestions for essays, psychology, education (all dated 1903); Biostatistics: notes for experiments (1903- 22/12/1909)

2.3 An inquiry into the causes and nature of contraction in living bodies. Dated Glenelg, Jan. '04. Ms. 57 leaves.
Contents: 1. The surface tension of proteid; 2. Lord Rayleigh's experiment; 3. Contact difference of potential between electrolytes and its influence upon surface tension; 4. The structure of striated muscle; 5. The deduction of the contraction curve; 6. The ion-proteid theory; 7. The chemotaxis and galvanotaxis of unicellular organisms; 8. The thermotaxis and phototaxis of unicellular; 9. The movements of plants; 10. Zwitter investigations into the contractility of muscle; 11. Additional notes; 12. Summary.

2.4 University extension lecture notes of J.W. Robertson with some of T.B. Robertson. Ms. 181 p. With opening quotes from Spinoza: ‘Even as light displays both itself and darkness so is truth a standard both of itself and falsity' (Ethics II, XLIII Note); ‘The eyes of the mind, whereby it sees and observes things, are none other than proofs' (Ethics V, XXIII Note)
Contents (J.W. Robertson's handwriting.) Syllabus. University extension lectures June 1st, 8th and 15th 1920. Lecture 1 The foundations of conquest: the dawn of science; Lecture 2 The achievement of conquest: a new system of thought; Lecture 3 The fruits of conquest: in the laboratory. Transcription of a letter from Esther H. Stanton to Robertson written before her death and given to TBR in July 1923 (p. 13-14) Adelaide University Extension lectures July 19, 26, August 2 1921 The physiology of everyday life: Lecture 1 Nutrition; Lecture 2 Growth - external factors; Lecture III Growth - internal factors.
T.B. Robertson's handwriting: Existence in relation to vital phenomena (Nairne, 21/6/1902); The causes and origin of life (Nairne, 4/6/1902); On the argument from utility (Glenelg, 25/11/1902)
J.W. Robertson's handwriting. Adelaide University Extension lectures: The interpretation of life: mechanism, vitalism and animism (July 18 and 25, August 1 1922). Lecture 1 Mechanism; Lecture 2 Vitalism; Lecture 3: Animism.
Transcript of a letter in J.W. Robertson's hand?: ‘Thornburn writing to his mother, he is ill and in bed' 21/12/1904, outlining an disagreement with Dr Martin and Professor Stirling re a paper Robertson wanted to publish [probably ‘An outline of a theory of the genesis of protoplasmic motion and excitation'] p. 119-127 (Robertson talks of developing a new science, and threatens to give up physiology if his paper is not published and taking up engineering]
In J.W. Robertson's hand: transcript of title page for ‘The Spirit of Research' and extracts from chapters, p. 152-169

2.5 Summary of experiments performed during the summer of 1920-21. Typescript (carbon copy) 32 leaves.
Contents: Experiments upon the products of oxidation of cholesterol; Experiments upon the oxidation of cholesterol emulsions; Experiments on the multiplication of infusoria [work using Tethelin]; Experiments attempting to initiate carcinoma by local irritation combined with administrations of cholesterol.

2.6 Undated early notebook (in fine ms hand) of geometric shapes and equations, several including ‘The Goblet' (dated 3/9/[19]02), The Funnel, The Hour Glass and sundry workings labelled T.B.R. With page of ‘Dicta' on geometry and index at beginning, and list of equations at end.

2.7 Undated notebooks of algebra and geometrical worked examples: ‘Examples from Todhunter's Algebra - Solutions (6 notebooks - Book 2 dated 20/9/69[?? Possibly by T.B.R's father or other?] Book no. 6 contains workings on reverse of blank receipts of Kangarilla Proprietary Silver Mining Company ... Callington, 189_); ‘Examples from C. Smith's Solid Geometry - Solutions 5/[19]03; 4 small green notebooks of unidentified worked examples; 1 medium notebook titled ‘Parabola' on cover.