Browse the Wilbur Olin Atwater papers

The Wilbur Olin Atwater papers highlight the scientific research and works of Wesleyan University's chemistry professor, who also established the first agricultural experiment station in the country, served as director of the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station and director of the Office of Experiment Stations for the United States Department of Agriculture. Atwater's research and work focuses on the chemical compositions of soils and fertilizers, the nutritive values of foods and the metabolism of the human body. Atwater is best known for his role in calculating caloric values of foods using the Atwater-Rosa Calorimeter which he developed with Wesleyan Professor of Physics, Edward B. Rosa, and Professor of Chemistry, Francis G. Benedict. Spanning from 1869-1915, items in this collection include correspondence, letterpress books, manuscripts, notes, reports, articles, books, data tables, publications, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, leaflets, and photographs.