Special Events

The Special Events series is comprised of files regarding special occasions, such as awards ceremonies, galas, dinners, travel, commencements, and personal meetings with visiting scientists and biotechnology companies. The series includes files related to awards and honorary degrees Watson has received throughout his career.

The series primarily consists of correspondence between Dr. Watson and the event organizers, as well as programs, itineraries, invitations, pamphlets, and some award certificates. Many files contain details regarding Watson’s travel arrangements. Most of the files were maintained by Watson’s secretary at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Some events that are well represented in the series include the World Economic Forum, which Watson participated in throughout the 1990s; Bristol Myers Squibb Awards; Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation Awards; American Academy of Achievement Awards; and the 50th anniversary of the Double Helix celebrations. Of note are several files that feature correspondence with Dr. Kay R. Jamison. Files documenting Watson’s sabbatical at the University of Oxford (1994) are also included.

For related photographs see: Photographs: Special Events (JDW/1/14). For related awards see: Personal Papers: Memorabilia (JDW/2/12/3). For correspondence related to Watson’s 1960 Lasker Award, see: Personal Papers: Correspondence (JDW/2/2).

The series does not contain meetings where Dr. Watson was featured as a lecturer. These can found in Personal Papers: Lectures, Speeches, Interviews (JDW/2/8). The series does not include scientific meetings, which can be found in Personal Papers: Scientific Meetings (JDW/2/14). It does not include meetings and conferences held at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, which can be found in Institutional Records (JDW/3).

The series is arranged chronologically by the date of the event.