Series 1: Personal and Biographical, 1945-2000

The Personal and Biographical Series documents personal aspects of Nirenberg's life, most particularly his secondary education and awards such as the Nobel Prize. The series also provides further insight into Nirenberg's professional life through curriculum vitae, articles, and newspaper clippings which chronicle his successful research into the genetic code and subsequent accolades.

The series is divided into six sub-series: Curriculum Vitae, Education and Coursework, The Nobel Prize, Other Awards and Honors, Articles and Clippings, and Personal Papers. The materials in each of the six sub-series are arranged chronologically. The largest of the sub-series, Education and Coursework, consists mostly of Nirenberg's notebooks from his coursework at the University of Florida and the University of Michigan. Divided into sub-sub-series by institution, these materials attest to Nirenberg's early interest in zoology. The sub-series also includes manuscript drafts for Nirenberg's master's and Ph.D. theses. In addition, the Personal Papers sub-series includes a notebook in which a young Nirenberg recorded some of his observations on the Floridian flora and fauna which sparked his scientific inquisitiveness.

The Nobel Prize sub-series includes drafts and notes for Nirenberg's Nobel Prize address as well as articles about the prize and copies of the telegram informing him of the award. Researchers can find photographs of Nirenberg receiving the news of the award and the awards ceremony in Series 7: Photographs, as well as images of the scientist with his family, friends, and colleagues. The collection does not include the actual award or certificates. Similarly, the Other Awards and Honors sub-series of Series 1 does not include the awards received by Nirenberg; the materials in this sub-series consist mainly of drafts of acceptance speeches, travel arrangements, correspondence, and the occasional article or event program documenting the occasion.