In 2020 Karl H. Pribram’s archives were shipped to the University of Akron’s Archives of the History of American Psychology (in association with the Smithsonian Institution). It took 5 years to organize all of the photographs, materials, and documents from Karl Pribram’s 75 years of brain research. He graduated from University of Chicago at age 21 and was nearly 96 when he died.
The Akron Archive began archiving the materials in January of 2021. The University of Akron’s Archives of the History of American Psychology houses the “world’s largest repository of manuscripts, monographs, media, and artifacts relevant to the history of psychology and related human sciences.”
Description of the Pribram Archive from the University of Akron finding tool:
“The Karl H. Pribram papers contain personal materials, correspondence, academic files, research files, published and unpublished written works, and photographs. The papers document Pribram’s work as a neurosurgeon, a neuroscience researcher, and a professor.
Of particular note are the correspondence files (Series 2). Pribram corresponded with scientists and psychologists, such as Jerome Bruner, John Eccles, Harry Harlow, Karl Lashley, Alexander Luria, and Robert Yerkes. Correspondence files are arranged alphabetically by last name.
Also of interest, are the photographs and slides (Series 7), which include photographs from Pribram’s time at Yerkes Laboratories of Primate Biology, Yale University, and Stanford University. This series contains portraits as well as candid photographs of scientists and psychologists.
For nearly 50 years, Pribram kept a daily diary of his life, including studies, surgeries, meetings, travels, and personal thoughts. During the 1930s-1950s, the diaries also served as a place to store keepsakes, such as greeting cards, event tickets, and newsclippings. Due to privacy concerns, there are access restrictions on diaries written after 1982. The diaries are included in Series 1 and are organized chronologically.“
Access the Karl H. Pribram Collection at the University of Akron: