The University of Bradford has taken delivery of an internationally-renowned collection of books, journals and pamphlets written by a Nobel prize winner.

The collection, which centres around the topics of nuclear science and social responsibility, has been given to the university following the death last year of esteemed academic Professor Joseph Rotblat.

Prof Rotblat was a Nobel Peace Laureate well connected to the University of Bradford, having been made an Honorary Doctor of Science in 1973.

He was also a guest physics lecturer, in which role he visited the university for many years.

A university spokesman said: "Prof Rotblat was a tireless worker for peace, having started his career as a nuclear physicist developing atomic bombs for the US Government.

"He went on to be a founder member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and created the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, for which he was awarded the Nobel prize for peace in 1995."

The collection of texts which have been left to the University measure about 20 metres long and mainly cover atomic energy from a peacemaker's perspective.

They also include relative rarities such as the Pugwash Newsletter and the Atomic Scientists' Journal.

The university spokesman added that the documents were expected to attract keen interest from students and staff in the Department of Peace Studies.

John Horton, head of academic library services, said: "The donation of Joseph Rotblat's library is a fantastic addition to our already significant holdings of materials in support of the university's internationally prestigious Department of Peace Studies.

"It contains in excess of one thousand books relating to the development of atomic sciences and their impact upon conflict and peace, plus a long run of Atomic Scientists' News and the Pugwash Newsletter. It will be kept together as the Joseph Rotblat Collection."

Professor Shaun Gregory, head of the university's Department of Peace Studies, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as the home of this important collection as a lasting memorial to the long and close relationship between Joseph and the Department.

"Joseph would have loved the idea that his books will go on informing and shaping the development of ideas in this area for years to come."

Prof Rotblat's last appearance at the university was in 2002 when he gave an open lecture Preventing Conflict and Promoting Peace: scientists and responsibility.

He died in August last year.

The collection is available to view in the university's JB Priestley Library.

e-mail: dan.webber @bradford.newsquest.co.uk