This series of alphabetically arranged biographical files for former trustees of the University was received by the University Archives-Columbiana Library in the mid 1990s from the Office of the Secretary where they had been maintained over the years. Although these "biographical files" often do contain biographical information, the materials also reflect the duties and responsibilities given to various trustees over the years through routine correspondence about appointments to committees and similar matters. The files in this collection may contain press releases, biographical sketches, correspondence regarding appointments, resignations and meeting attendance, memoranda, meeting minutes, copies of resolutions, reports, alumni association voting records, newspaper clippings, drafts, memorial service materials (including speeches and obituaries), information regarding spouses, and CVs. For very early trustees (18th and early 19th c.) there is usually only an undated biographical sketch in their file. Some of the files contain particularly interesting or notable materials. The Dwight D. Eisenhower file is particularly rich with much correspondence (much original) between the Board of Trustees and Eisenhower concerning his election as president of the university, his concerns upon accepting that position, his leave of absence to help establish NATO in Europe, and his resignation in 1952 to become president of the U.S. There is also material dating from the 1980s and 1990s regarding the use of Eisenhower era materials by researchers and for a centennial exhibition at Columbia in 1990. In the Thomas A. Parkinson file there is correspondence and drafts of the letter to Nicholas Murray Butler urging his retirement as President of the University and outlining the benefits he would continue to receive. The John Pine file contains a list of materials (publications and other paper matter) sent to the University upon his death. The Thomas J. Watson file contains a transcript of his statement regarding Nicholas Murray Butler upon Butler's retirement in 1945. Robert Watt's file contains two reports of the Special Committee Appointed to Investigate the Government Aided Research Program of the University (1956, 1959).