Murray Kempton papers, 1940-1997, bulk 1954-1997

Collection context

Creator:
Kempton, Murray, 1917-1997
Abstract:
Murray Kempton was a renowned American journalist. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1917 and died at the age of 79 in 1997. Kempton worked in the field for over 45 years for a variety of publications including: the New York Post, the New York Review of Books, the World Telegram and World Sun, and finally with Newsday. He was awarded numerous prizes including the Pulitzer. The collection consists largely of Kempton's columns clipped from newspapers and magazines. There is a selection of correspondence from the mid to late 1950s. Finally, there is a small amount of general files, which includes numerous drafts, notes and notebooks, and reviews of his books.
Extent:
12 linear feet 4 record containers 14 document boxes 1 flat box
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

The Murray Kempton Papers consist largely of clippings of Kempton's magazine and newspaper columns. These span the course of his career and come from myriad sources covering a range of topics related to politics, art and music, and sports. The collection contains a small selection of correspondence, primarily from 1954-1958. Included here are letters to Kempton from such dignitaries as William F. Buckley Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., and Richard Nixon. The Murray Kempton Papers also contain a random assortment of drafts, manuscripts, and notebooks.

Biographical / historical:

James Murray Kempton was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1917. He became an influential American journalist, working for over 45 years in the field. Kempton wrote for the New York Post, the New York Review of Books, the World Telegram and World Sun, and finally with Newsday. He was a radio commentator for CBS as well. Kempton was a prolific writer, producing often times four columns a week, totaling more than 10,000 over the course of his career. Additionally, he was the author of three books. Kempton was known as a liberal, but had many friends of differing political views, including William F. Buckley Jr. and Richard Nixon. Kempton was married twice, with three sons and one daughter. He lived his later life with New York Review of Books founding co-editor Barbara Epstein. Producing columns through to the end, Kempton died at the age of 79 in 1997.

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

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); Murray Kempton 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