Gerald Sykes papers, 1921-1984

Creator:: Sykes, Gerald, 1903-
Extent:: 42 linear feet 57 boxes 155 volumes 1 oversize folder
Language:: English .
Scope and content:: Correspondence, manuscripts, notes, notebooks, documents, photographs, course-related materials, and printed materials. The manuscripts include typescripts of Sykes' published and unpublished novels, monographs, plays, short stories, and articles. Among these are The Perennial Avant Garde, The Cool Millennium, and The Hidden Remnant. Sykes' notes and notebooks span the period from the early 1930s to 1980, and include preliminary ideas and sketches for his books, as well as autobiographical material. A small number of documents concern Sykes' wartime work in the U.S. Government Office of War Information. Course-related material including writings and correspondence of students taught by Sykes between 1962 and 1975 at the New School and as an adjunct professor at Columbia University. Printed materials consist of numerous reviews of Sykes' books, in addition to offprints and articles by Sykes. Included as well are printed materials about or connected with Sykes, offprints of articles inscribed to him, and many volumes from his library. The substantial correspondence series includes personal letters and correspondence with agents and publishers relating to his books. Correspondents include Harold Clurman, Aaron Copland, Lawrence Durrell, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Francis Steegmuller, as well as a number of Sykes' students. There is extensive correspondence between Sykes and the artist John Hartell from 1927 to 1983.
Biographical / historical:: Author, editor, critic, and professor of sociology at the New School for Social Research, who died in 1984.

Acquisition information:

Papers: Source of acquisition--Sykes, Mrs Gerald. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1985. Accession number--M-1985.

Papers: Source of acquisition--Sykes, Mrs Gerald. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1988. Accession number--M-1988.

Papers: Source of acquisition--Sykes, Mrs Gerald. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1991. Accession number--M-1991.

Papers: Source of acquisition--Sykes, Claire M. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--09/28/92. Accession number--M-92-09-28.

Custodial history:

Gift of Mrs Claire Metcalfe Sykes, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997.

Processing information:

Papers Processed 1985.

Papers Processed 1988.

Papers Processed HR 01/24/92.

Papers Processed HR 02/24/93.

Processed by Timothy Cross 1985; LR 1985; Henry Rowen 1/92; HR 2/93; HR 7/01.

Arrangement:

Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged. Cataloged correspondence: Box 1; Arranged correspondence: Boxes 2-11; Manuscripts: Boxes 12-36; Notes & notebooks: Boxes 37-42; Documents & photographs: Box 43; Teaching materials: Boxes 44-47; Subject files: Boxes 48-50; Printed materials Boxes 51-56; & Oversize folder: Photograph.

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

Other information:

This collection includes additions that have not yet been processed. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Books from the library of Gerald Sykes inscribed to him and with his notes are shelved on-site.

The following boxes are located off-site: 2-56. 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.

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); Gerald Sykes 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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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