Frank J. Maher Papers
Scope and Content
This collection contains the papers of Francis ("Frank") J. Maher, a professor of engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) from 1937 to 1978. The collection includes Maher's consulting and wind tunnel testing files (including notes, drawings, correspondence, and printed materials) on a number of bridge and building design projects, most notable of these perhaps being the Mackinac Bridge, designed by David B. Steinman. Also among Maher's office files are files pertaining to his academic career, including general academic administrative correspondence, and to his academic research on aerodynamics and wind loads. Maher's professional relationship with engineer and bridge designer David B. Steinman, for whom he frequently provided testing services, is reflected in a collection of correspondence and printed materials by Steinman. The collection includes notes, drawings, correspondence, and photographs.
Dates
- 1934 - 1986
Creator
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Notes
Francis Joseph Maher was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 11, 1915. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in engineering at Manhattan College (1936), he attended graduate school at Virginia Polytehcnic Institute and State University. He earned a master's degree in civil engineering in 1937, and that same year joined the faculty at Virginia Tech, where he specialized in studying aerodynamics and wind loads and provided consultation for many civil engineering projects. In the course of his career, Maher received the Wine Award for teaching (1960), The Western Electric Fund Award of the American Society for Engineering Education (1965), and a place among the Outstanding Educators of America (1973). Maher married Jean Page Howard (1915-2009) in Roanoke, Virginia, on July 11, 1939; the couple had two children. Maher retired from teaching in 1978, and the College of Engineering Science continues (as of 2024) to award a student scholarship in his name. Francis J. Maher died August 10, 1995, and was buried in Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg, Virginia. That same year, the university esbablished the Frank J. Maher Professorship in Engineering Science and Mechanics.
Extent
4.5 Cubic Feet (3 boxes)
Abstract
Papers--including writings, drawings, and correspondence--of Frank J. Maher (1915-1995), an engineer specializing in aerodynamic research and an instructor in Engineering Science and Mechanics at Virginia Tech from 1937 to 1978. Includes consulting files and wind tunnel research on various building and bridge projects; research project files on aerodynamics and wind loads; academic courses; and materials relating to engineer and bridge designer David B. Steinman.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series:
Series I. Testing and Consulting, 1947-1982. This series contains files relating to Maher's consulting and wind tunnel testing on a number of building and bridge civil engineering projects, including several for engineer and bridge designer David B. Steinman, the most significant perhaps being the Mackinac Bridge. Included in the series are notes, reports, project drawings, correspondence, printed materials, and photographs. The series is arranged alphabetically by name of project or design firm.
Series II. Academic Research and Instruction, 1934-1986. Files relating to Maher's instruction and general academic research may be found in this series. Included are a number of files relating to research on wind loads on various types of structures (domes
and tall buildings among these), including materials from a few conferences attended by Maher. Also in the series are a few folders relating specifically to Maher's teaching career, including course and lecture background materials. A selection of Maher's articles and unpublished papers completes the series. The series is arranged by material type.
Series III. David B. Steinman, 1941-1986. Included in this series are files relating to Maher's professional relationship with Steinman, a civil engineer and designer. The series contains four letters and two Christmas cards from Steinman, other correspondence relating to him, and printed materials relating to his life and work. The series also contains a collection of published materials written by Steinman, and a folder relating to a plaque on the Virginia Tech campus honoring Steinman.The series is arranged by material type.
Physical Access
Please note: This collection is in off-site storage and requires 2-3 days notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections and University archives for more information.
Source of Acquisition
The Frank J. Maher Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1986.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Frank J. Maher Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Frank J. Maher Papers commenced in September, 2024, and was completed in November, 2024.
- Title
- Frank J. Maher Papers, 1934-1986
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- 2024 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020-08-14: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
- 2021-02-24: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection, added FA title and filing titles, added FA date from EAD, and added component with instances previously attached to collection level.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu