Allan Nevins papers, 1912-1992

Collection context

Creator:
Nevins, Allan, 1890-1971
Extent:
104 linear feet (205 boxes; ca.40700 items in oversize items; 207 record storage cartons of books)
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

Approximately 12,000 letters to Allan Nevins from various correspondents including James Truslow Adams, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Willa Cather, Frances Folsom Cleveland, Van Wyck Brooks, Robert Frost, Newton D. Baker, Archibald MacLeish, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Carl Sandburg, and Henry Wallace; notes and typescripts for Nevins' books including Emergence of Lincoln, The Ordeal of Democracy, Rockefeller, and History and Historians, with notes by editor Ray A. Billington; miscellaneous transcripts, clippings, newspapers, and photographs. Also, autograph letters and manuscripts by presidents, Civil War figures, financiers, politicians, and authors. There are also the Brand Whitlock World War I Diaries and letters to him by such people as Herbert Hoover, Gen. John J. Pershing, and others.

Biographical / historical:

American historian and editor.

Nevins, Joseph Allan May 20 1890 Mar. 5 1971 historian and educator. He attended the University of Illinois wher he earned a B. A. 1912 and an M. A. in English 1913 Nevins moved to New York to work as a journalist in 1913. While working as a journalist Nevins found time to write books on history.

In 1928 Nevins accepted a position teaching history at Columbia University. In 1931 he was appointed Dewitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University. Nevins was the Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford University in 1940 1941 and 1964 1965

Nevins was a quite prolific writer producing more than 50 books and scores of srticles. He produced biographies of Henry White, Grover Cleveland, Abram Hewitt, Hamilton Fish, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, and and Herbert Lehman.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection has no restrictions.

The following boxes are located off-site: 8-17, 32-205. 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.

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); Allan Nevins 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