Charles Frankel Papers, 1960s-1970s

Collection context

Creator:
Frankel, Charles
Extent:
15 linear feet (10 record storage boxes)
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

Personal papers of Charles Frankel include among other his correspondence with organizations and individuals, writings, publications, research materials, class descriptions, photographs, etc.

Biographical / historical:

Charles Frankel (December 13, 1917 – May 10, 1979) was an American philosopher, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State, Old Dominion Professor of Philosophy and Public Affairs at Columbia University and founding director of the National Humanities Center.

Professor Frankel was born in New York City on December 13, 1917. He received his A.B. degree with honors in English and Philosophy from Columbia College in 1937, and did his graduate work at Cornell and Columbia. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia in 1946. During the war he served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Ocean areas and Japan, leaving naval service with the rank of lieutenant.

Professor Charles Frankel combined scholarly work with active involvement in political and public affairs. He was Old Dominion Professor of Philosophy and Public Affairs at Columbia University, teaching in the Faculty of Philosophy and te School of Law. He served as an Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs during the Johnson Administration. He resigned in 1967, protesting the administration's policies in Vietnam. In 1978 Frankel became the first president and founding director of the National Humanities Center.

Charles Frankel is the author of The Face of Reason (1948), The Case for Modern Man (1956), Issues in University Education (1959), The Democratic Prospect (1962), The Love of Anxiety and Other Essays (1965), Education and the Barricades (1968), High on Foggy Bottom (1969), The Pleasures of Philosophy (1971), A Stubborn Case (1972). He also wrote for many periodicals and scholarly journals, some of whic are: Science, Foreign Affairs, Political Science Quarterly, Commentary, Journal of Higher Education, The New Yorker, Harper's, Daedalus, Ethics, Encounter, New York Times Magazine.

On May 10, 1979 Charles Frankel and his wife Helen were murdered in their Bedford Hills home during a series of burglary‐murders.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Material is unprocessed. Was assessed as an unprocessed collection in February 2019. Majority of the collection can be made available. One box (Box 10) with students records and files in question is restricted. Researchers should be advised to report to RBML staff and/or do not use in their research any questionable content (such as students records, personal information, letters of recommendation, etc.) in case they come across such materials. Researchers also should be warned to handle fragile materials (such as newspapers, clippings, and brittle paper) carefuly. Researchers should not try to unfold newspapers. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

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.

Box 10 is restricted.

Terms of access:

Reproductions 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); Charles Frankel Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
rbml@library.columbia.edu