Albert Rhys Williams Papers, circa 1910s-1990s

Collection context

Creator:
Williams, Albert Rhys, 1883-1962
Extent:
25 linear feet 16 record storage cartons and 1 flat box
Language:
Material is primarily in English, with a small amount of correspondence and published materials in Russian.
Scope and content:

Collection includes material by and related to Albert Rhys Williams. The bulk of the materials in the collection appear to be Albert Rhys Williams' writings and published materials (in English and Russian). A small amount of correspondence, photographs, and other materials is also present in the collection.

Biographical / historical:

Albert Rhys Williams was a minister, labor organizer, journalist, and communist political activist. Williams was born in Greenwich, Ohio on September 28, 1883 to David Thomas Williams, a Congregationalist minister, and Esther Rees (Rhys). Williams attended Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, graduating in 1904 before moving on to study at the Hartford Theological Seminary. While in University, and later through his work as a journalist and minister, Williams became involved in Socialism, including a stint working on Eugene Debs's 1908 presidential campaign. He travelled to the Soviet Union where he witnessed the Russian Revolution. Williams, along with American Communist John Reed, worked for Leon Trotsky composing propaganda and editing the newspaper Die Russiche Revolution in Bildern (The Russian Revolution in Pictures). He later befriended Lenin, whom he continued to admire throughout the remainder of his life. Williams returned to North America in 1929, but continued to write widely on Russia. Albert Rhys Williams died in 1962.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Material is unprocessed. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

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.

Assessed November 2018, collection can be made available without further intervention.

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); Albert Rhys Williams 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