Arrangement: The collection is arranged chronologically by topic as follows: personal papers, family papers, business papers, publications, certificates, photographs, bound volumes, certificates, and awards. The collection consists of sixteen boxes and 22 volumes.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2006

Subjects: New Orleans (La.) -- History -- 20th century., Physics teachers -- United States., Riddell, John Leonard, 1807-1867., Riess, John., Riess, Karlem., Riess family., Scientists -- United States., Sirera family., Tulane University -- History.

Forms of Material: Awards., Certificates., Correspondence., Financial records., Genealogies., Lectures., Manuscripts for publication., Photograph albums., Photographs., Publications., School records., Scrapbooks.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

John Karlem "Ducky" Riess (1913-2005) was professor of physics at Tulane University from 1943 to 1978 as well as professor emeritus (1978-2005) and faculty advisor to the fraternity system. The collection consists of Riess' personal papers, research materials relating to his publications, offprints of articles, correspondence, family papers, photographs, stamps, drawings, clippings, and awards. There are also materials related to his research on John Leonard Riddell. John Riess, the father of John Karlem Riess, was a local contractor, and some of his papers are included in the collection, as well as those of Alma Sirera Riess (mother), Mary Riess (sister), Oscar Riess (uncle), and Viola Sirera Ransmeier (aunt).

Biographical Note

John Karlem "Ducky" Riess (1913-2005) served as professor of physics at Tulane University (1943-1978), faculty advisor to the fraternity system, and professor emeritus. Born in New Orleans, Riess graduated from Tulane University with his B.S. in chemistry in 1933 and M.S. in mathematics in 1935. He received a Ph.D. in physics from Brown University in 1943. He won numerous awards and actively participated in many fraternal and academic organizations throughout his long career, including Phi Kappa Sigma, ODK, and Phi Beta Kappa. Riess died in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Alpha of Louisiana Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa has named an annual award, given to the most outstanding new inductee, in his honor.

Subject/Index Terms

New Orleans (La.) -- History -- 20th century.
Physics teachers -- United States.
Riddell, John Leonard, 1807-1867.
Riess, John.
Riess, Karlem.
Riess family.
Scientists -- United States.
Sirera family.
Tulane University -- History.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. No known restrictions.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Acquisition Source: John Karlem "Ducky" Riess estate.

Acquisition Method: Gift.

Preferred Citation: John Karlem Riess papers, Manuscripts Collection 994, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: Collection processed by Kevin Fontenot, revised in 2009 by Eira Tansey.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid information entered in Archon by LAC Group in 2011.

Other Note: OCLC Number: 430215319

Box and Folder Listing

Volume 12: European Trips photo album, 1962

Tulane University Special Collections