The papers of meteorologist Jorgen Holmboe contain mainly personal and professional correspondence, but also document his participation on the Lincoln Ellsworth Antarctic Expedition of 1934-1936. The bulk of this material is in Norwegian with some material in English and German.
Jorgen Holmboe Papers, 1918-1980 (SMC 101)
Extent: 0.8 Linear feet (2 archives boxes)
Jorgen Holmboe was born on November 8, 1902, near Hammerfest, Norway. In 1922, he entered the University of Oslo, initially studying mathematics. He became research assistant to meteorologist Vilhelm Bjerknes, founder of the Bergen Geophysical Institute and leader of the Bergen School of Meteorology, in 1925. After graduating in 1930, Holmboe worked as a meteorologist for the Norwegian weather service, first in Tromso, then in Bergen. From 1933 to 1935, he served as meteorologist for the Lincoln Ellsworth Antarctic Expedition. Upon his return, Holmboe married Kirsten Bendixen; they had one daughter, Anna, born in 1941.
Holmboe was appointed assistant professor at MIT in 1936, and then was invited by Bjerknes to join him in establishing a meteorology program at UCLA. Initially part of the physics program, the meteorology department was established as a separate department at UCLA in 1946. Holmboe served as the first chair of the Meteorology Department in 1946, and again from 1949-1958. His research principally concerned wave motion in the atmosphere, the formation of cyclones, and air flow over the Sierra Nevada.
Holmboe was appointed professor emeritus at UCLA, and retired in 1970. He died on October 29, 1970.
The papers of meteorologist Jorgen Holmboe document his work as assistant to Vilhelm Bjerknes and his participation on the Lincoln Ellsworth Antarctic Expedition of 1934-1936. The collection also documents the Holmboe family in Norway and the United States.
The papers are arranged in two series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE and 2) PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL PAPERS.