Columbia College papers, 1703-1964, bulk 1754-1920

Creator:

Columbia College (New York, N.Y.), Columbia College (Columbia University), Columbia University, and King's College (New York, N.Y.)

Abstract:

The surviving files of official correspondence, reports, documents, and printed materials of King's College from 1750 to 1784 and Columbia College from 1785 to 1890, as well as Columbia University up to 1964. The King's College era materials include grants, deeds, indentures, lists of governors, leases, accounts, etc. The Columbia College era papers commence with documentation regarding the attempts to revive the college at the end of the American Revolution. In the later period these papers primarily supplement and document the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees. Much material was destroyed and scattered in the late 19th century leaving this collection quite incomplete.

Extent:

67.08 linear feet 7 record cartons, 98 document boxes, 1 half-sized document box, 3 14x18 OS flat boxes, 6 20x 24 OS flat boxes, and 5 items in OS flat folders in a mapcase

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

The surviving files of official correspondence, reports, documents, and printed materials of King's College from 1750 to 1784 and Columbia College from 1785 to 1890, as well as Columbia University up to 1964. The King's College era materials include grants, deeds, indentures, lists of governors, leases, accounts, etc. The Columbia College era papers commences with documentation regarding the attempts to revive the college at the end of the American Revolution. In the later period these papers primarily supplement and document the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees. Much material was destroyed and scattered in the late 19th century leaving this collection quite incomplete.

Biographical / historical:

Columbia College was originally founded as King's College in 1754 with a Royal Charter from King George II, and situated at Wall Street. The first president and first professor was Samuel Johnson. In 1767, Samuel Bard established a medical college as part of King's College. Instruction was suspended from 1776 to 1784 during the Revolutionary War; after the end of the war, King's College was renamed Columbia College to reflect the new independence from Britain. The College was temporarily a state institution until 1787, until it was incorporated under a private board of trustees, which remains in effect today.

A second campus existed on Park Place, but shortly thereafter moved to 49th Street and Madison Avenue in 1857. This location remained for forty years, and expanded to include Columbia Law School and Columbia School of Mines (now The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science). In 1890, President Seth Low advocated to divide the individual schools and colleges into distinct entities under the university's central administration, which came to include Barnard College in 1889 and Teachers College in 1891. In 1896, the trustees approved renaming the university as Columbia University in the City of New York, and Columbia College came to refer solely to the original undergraduate college. President Low also moved the Madison Avenue campus to its current location in Morningside Heights. This campus was designed by Charles McKim.

Acquisition information:

Accession number--M-59.

Commencement Oration of 1793: Source of acquisition--Offley, John B. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--07/--/1995. Accession number--M-95-07.

Custodial history:

This collection was acquired by the Rare Book and Manuscript Library in May 1959. Collection officially transferred to the University Archives in 2016.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 05/04/1989.

Commencement Oration of 1793 Cataloged HR 08/02/1995.

This collection was processed at the item level by the staff of the Rare Book & Manuscript Library in the 1970s and 1980s.

Some rehousing completed and EAD finding inventory compiled by Ian Post (Pratt SLS Intern) Fall 2014.

Additional re-housing and inventory work completed by Kelly Powers (CC 2018) Spring 2015.

Finding aid edited by Jocelyn Wilk Fall 2016.

Arrangement:

Arranged in four series.

Accruals:

No additions are expected.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The following boxes are located offsite: 100-106. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

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); Columbia College papers; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.

Location of this collection:: Columbia University Archives

University Archives Home Page
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:: uarchives@columbia.edu

Collection