| Description | Papers and correspondence belonging to meteorologist Jim Burton, who particpated in the Royal Society's expedition to the Antarctic from 1957 to 1959. The collection includes some early correspondence from 1952 to 1953, relating to Burton's work as a meteorologist supporting the RAF in Europe. The bulk of the collection relates to the expedition to Halley Bay, and includes Burton's personal diary, which covers the entire expedition period from November 1956 to Feburary 1959. There is extensive correspondence between Burton and various family and friends while he was in the Antarctic.
There is also scientific correspondence, largely relating to the analysis of the expedition data and the publication of reports following the main party's return from the expedition in 1959. There are also minutes from British National Committee meetings that relate to the expedition and which Burton was involved with. The collection also includes several film reels containing over two hours of original film recorded by Burton covering the entire expedition, two signed penguin eggs, and a set of Antarctic clothing. |
| AdminHistory | Jim Burton was the expedition meteorologist on the International Geophysical Year expedition to Halley Bay, Antarctica. He was part of the main expedition party and spent two years in the Antarctic, from January 1957 to January 1959. |