Most of the collection relates to John S. Mayfield's, "Eugene O'Neill and the Senator from Texas." Collection contains correspondence between Mayfield and others such as Carlotta O'Neill and O'Neill biographer Louis Sheaffer. Also in the collection are manuscripts, drafts and proofs of Mayfield's work, and printed material about O'Neill.

Papers of the American novelist, journalist, poet, war correspondent. Collection includes correspondence, writings, and memorabilia of the American author and his wife, Cora Crane, and includes the research materials from a number of literary scholars and private collectors. The Stephen Crane Collection Photographs and the Lillian Gilkes Papers unrelated to Crane are inventoried and housed separately. In addition, many published Crane works and reference materials are located in Special Collections.

Correspondence to and about, and writing by and about, the American novelist and short story author. His work often depicted the culture and dialects of his native Kentucky.