John H. Dessauer papers

Collection

Identifier: D.495

Staff Only

Biographical / Historical note

John H. Dessauer was born in Germany in 1905. He immigrated to the United States in 1929, after completing a master's degree and doctorate in engineering sciences. Dessauer began working at Haloid Corporation in 1935, where he would eventually found the research department that developed the Xerox machine. Until his retirement in 1970, Dessauer remained the head of Haloid/Xerox research efforts. In 1971, Dessauer published the book, My Years with Xerox. He would later serve as a trustee of several universities including St. John Fisher College and Fordham University. He also served as a trustee of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Dessauer served on the advisory boards for the chemistry departments at University of Rochester, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard.

Dessauer was married to Margaret Lee, and they had two sons, John and Thomas. John H. Dessauer died in 1993.

Scope and Contents

The John H. Dessauer papers contain materials related to Dessauer's work on the Governing Board of the National Research Council, and his professional work with the Xerox Corporation as the company's Director of Research, Vice President, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, variously.

The first series, Meeting minutes and agendas, Governing Board of the National Research Council, 1971-1976, contains nine boxes of meeting minutes and agendas for the Governing Board of the National Research Council, and is arranged chronologically.

The materials in the second series, Xerox papers, have not been arranged or processed, and remain in their original order. A high-level box inventory describing the contents of this series has been made available in this finding aid.

Creator

Dessauer, John H. (Person)

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found within 1950's-1970's

Language of Materials

English

Extent

14 linear feet

Access

The John H. Dessauer papers are open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.edu.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The John H. Dessauer Papers were donated by John H. Dessauer, 1976.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], John H. Dessauer Papers, D.495, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester