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.

This is an artificial collection of diplomas and certificates awarded to people associated with Columbia University from its founding as Kings College in 1754. Some diplomas found in this collection were awarded to Columbia-related individuals by other institutions. Also includes certificates presented to individuals and to the University as an institution, usually for honorary purposes. Correspondence directly related to some of these honors can also be found in this 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.

The Historical Photo Collection contains images of persons, events, and activities associated with Columbia College (1754-1896) and Columbia University (1896-).

With the exception of letters to John Dewey, George Rives, G. Stanley Hall and some original incoming correspondence, the papers of James McKeen Cattell consist of typescript copies of correspondence with Seth Low, Nicholas Murray Butler, and faculty members, dealing with Psychology Dept. matters, professional matters, and Cattell's battle for academic freedom which ended in his dismissal from and subsequent suit against Columbia. Included are typescript copies of University reports, printed court records, and transcripts of correspondence with Cattell's lawyers.

A collection of letters, documents, manuscripts, and books collected by Dr. Michael Reynard and placed on deposit in The Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

This collection contains photocopies of the Columbia College, and later Columbia University, President's annual reports from 1865-1881 and 1887-1948. The reports include fact and figures (enrollment, degrees conferred, tuition, expenses, gifts, etc.) and topical discussions (co-education, new degree programs, higher education and liberal arts education, current events, etc.).

Correspondence and miscellaneous items of Keener. The correspondence dates primarily from the years 1894 and 1895, and concerns mostly admissions and other procedures of the Law School. There is one letter book of outgoing correspondence, 1891-1895. The collection includes cataloged letters from Nicholas Murray Butler, Melvil Dewey, Seth Low, and Edwin R.A. Seligman.

Correspondence, manuscripts, documents, photographs and printed materials. The correspondence is with American and English literary figures and Columbia faculty members. Included are 38 letters from Brander Matthews and 4 from Edmund Gosse. There are 5 letters from Trent to George Whicher, 3 to John Hart, and 180 postcards and letters to John Bell Henneman, as well as a group of miscellaneous letters to and from Trent. Also included are a holograph fair copy of Trent's poem "Germany, 1915" with his covering a.l.s. and several miscellaneous poems; and his contract with J.B. Lippincott Co. for the publication of GEORGE SAND. There are also two documents signed by George W. Maynard. Among the photographs is a photograph album, prepared by Hudson Stuck in 1899, of people and scenes from Dallas, Texas. Among the printed materials are Trent's examinations and outlines for English courses, and THE UNPOPULAR REVIEW with numerous pages of Trent's notes