Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Toffler, Alvin
- Extent:
- 110 linear feet and 263 boxes 1 oversize folder
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Alvin and Heidi Toffler papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Background
- Scope and Content:
Correspondence, telephone logs, lecture/administrative files, manuscripts, research files, personal papers, reviews, press clippings, tearsheets, and memorabilia relating to the many projects Toffler and his wife worked on from 1950 to 1985. The collection is divided into closed and open series. Closed files include all correspondence; telephone logs; administrative files pertaining to lectures, contracts, and business memos; and personal papers. Open files consist of clippings, notes, manuscripts, publishers' "dead matter," tearsheets of articles and books, press clippings, interviews, and galleys. The correspondence includes letters from a great variety of people, such as Betty Friedan, Jonas Salk, Newt Gingrich, Ed Koch, and many other politicians and celebrities. There are research files for virtually every project that Toffler was involved with, including his books "Future Shock" and "The Third Wave." The press clippings files are extensive and range from research topics to reviews, and cover countries from Australia to Switzerland. Lecture files also from Toffler's television/video production compnay, Triwave Productions, Inc., which include scripts, contracts, and materials relating to all stages of production. The many manuscripts, proofs, and galleys are in various stages of revision and include Toffler's extensive corrections and notes.
- Biographical / Historical:
Alvin (1928-2016) and Heidi Toffler, authors and futurists. A journalist and intellectual best know for his popular books Future Shock and The Third Wave in which he speculates on the nature and effects of dynamic social change. Toffler was born on 28 October 1928, in New York City and married Adelaide Heidi Farrell on 29 April 1950. He was educated at New York University (B.A. 1949) and worked as a journalist for various newspapers and magazines in the 1950s. He became a full-time writer in the 1960s. He was on the faculty of the New School for Social Research from 1965-1967.
- Acquisition information:
- Source of acquisition--Toffler, Alvin and Heidi. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--06/17/87. Accession number--M-87-06-17.
- Custodial history:
Gift of Alvin and Heidi Toffler, 1987.
- Processing information:
Processed 06/20/88.
All restrictions lifted July 2019. Boxes 1-83 were closed pending death of Alvin, Heidi, and Karen Toffler.
- Arrangement:
Sorrespondence is in several files, both alphabetical and chronological. Administrative files are alphabetical by project.
- Accruals:
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Alvin and Heidi Toffler papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
6th Floor East Butler Library535 West 114th St.New York, NY 10027, United States
- CONTACT:
-
(212) 854-5590rbml@library.columbia.edu