Central Files is composed chiefly of correspondence sent and received between Columbia University administrators and other University officers, faculty, and trustees, as well as correspondence sent and received between University administrators and individuals and organizations from outside the university.

Documenting the operations of the Anthropology Department, these records reflect administrative and instructional or research functions of the department.

Correspondence, manuscripts and documents. Included among his personal and professional correspondence are letters from famous economists collected by Seligman. Among these are: I) William Shirley (Box 95). 1741-1745. Copies of letters and documents by Shirley, Royal Governor of Massachusetts, addressed chiefly to the Board of Trade, London; II) Paul Flobart (Box 96). RECHERCHES SUR LES BILLETS DE LA BANQUE DE LAW, 1716-1720. Lille, 1920. Notes, page proof and printed for of this pamphlet; III) John Francis Bray Papers (Box 97). Bray, 1809-1895, early socialist writer and labor agitator in England, 1822, returned to America in 1842. Michigan experiences, 1842-1896, papers 1860-1890; IV) Ernest Jones Papers. Correspondence, family and business papers of Ernest Jones, 1819-1869, English militant socialist and leader of the Chartist movement, and publisher of two newspapers propagating Marxist doctrines. Collection consists of ca.1,708 items, and some family correspondence and mementoes. The most valuable part appears to be his notes refuting various libel charges brought against him. In 10 boxes at the end of the collection

The materials that comprise the Historical Biographical Files have been collected and added to from a variety of sources over the years by current and previous staff. The files consist of materials related to people who have a connection to the University whether as student, alumni, administrator, faculty, staff, guest lecturer, or honorary degree recipient. Materials generally consist of newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, programs, ephemera, printed matter, lists, reports, and pamphlets.

Columbia, A.B., 1931; M.A., 1933; Ph.D., 1944. Professor of religion and philosophy at Columbia University. Member of Fraternity of Leaders of the American Ethical Union; author and scholar in field of American philosophical and religious thought. The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, course materials, research notes, minutes, clippings, reprints of articles, as well as 25 inscribed or annotated books.

Correspondence, manuscripts, notes, technical reports, memoranda, questionnaires, interview schedules, personal and professional documents, several photographs, one tape recording, and printed materials. The correspondence files contain letters to colleagues and researchers such as Bernard Berelson, Robert Lynd, Robert Merton, and Frank Stanton. The subject files document Lazarsfeld's many research projects such as the Admissions Officers Project, 1964-1970, the Planning Project for Advanced Training in Social Research, 1950-1955, and his first major endeavor, the Princeton Radio Research Project, 1937-1940. There are complete records for his 1954-1955 study on McCarthyism's effect on college teaching. These original materials consisting of correspondence, interview schedules, and questionnaires contain many detailed comments which could not be included in the published version of this study, THE ACADEMIC MIND (1958). Numerous files relate to Lazarsfeld's position as Associate Director of the Bureau of Applied Social Research (BASR). There are manuscripts of books, research papers, lectures, and articles by Lazarsfeld as well as by his students and colleagues.

Correspondence, manuscripts, subject files and research notes of Sigmund Diamond. Included among the correspondence are Diamond's letters to and from various distinguished members of Columbia University and other academic insitutions, as well as correspondence with many noted sociologists and historians. Included in the manuscripts is Diamond's "In Quest." The subject files comprise material from Diamond's tenure at Columbia and include some material pertaining to his forced departure from Harvard in the 1950's due to his previous communist affiliation, and his active role in maintaining the efficacy of the Freedom of Information Act. The research files include microfilms and notes.