Park Benjamin papers, 1645-1925

Creator:: Benjamin, Park, 1809-1864
Extent:: 9.24 linear feet 22 document boxes
Language:: English .
Scope and content:: Correspondence, manuscripts of poems, and manuscripts of lectures by Benjamin. The correspondence consists of original letters of Benjamin, typescript and photostatic copies of Benjamin letters in other libraries, and letters to Benjamin from some of his literary contemporaries including Paul Hamilton Hayne, Willis Gaylord Clark, John Lothrop Motley, and Fitz-Greene Halleck. Many of the letters relate to Park Benjamin's lecture tours. There are other family letters and many documents relating to the Benjamin family,and two letterbooks of John Lothrop Motley. Also, a large amount of genealogical material of the Benjamin family, and its related families from the 16th century to the present day. There are also financial records, monographs, clippings, and photographs.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Benjamin, W. E. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--03/--/1937. Accession number--M37-03.

Letterbook of J.L. Motley: Source of acquisition--5285B (NYState). Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--01/26/1994. Accession number--M-94-01-26.

A. Lincoln letter: Source of acquisition--Pratt, Dallas. Method of acquisition--Bequest; Date of acquisition--05/20/1994. Accession number--M-94-05-20.

Custodial history:

Gift of William E. Benjamin, 1937; added to by gifts from his family.

Bequest of Dallas Pratt, 1994.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 04/04/1989.

Letterbook of J.L. Motley Cataloged HR 04/04/1994.

A. Lincoln letter Cataloged HR 12/04/1996.

Arrangement:

Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged. Box 1-4: Cataloged correspondence; Box 5-6: Cataloged manuscripts & documents; Box 7-8: Poems; Box 9: Lectures; Box 10-11: Genealogical materials; Box 12: Demerara accounts; Box 13: Photographs & sheet music; Box 13-15: Printed materials; Box 16: Benjamin family items; Box 17-22: Merle Hoover notes.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The following boxes are located off-site: 7-22. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. This collection is located on-site.

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); Benjamin Park papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
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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

Collection