Series V: Reference and Research, 1933-2002
- Scope and content:
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Robert K. Merton was an avid reader and researcher and items in this series reflect his intellectual curiosity regarding a wide variety of subjects over the course of his professional career. The series contains both reference material and subject files. Reference material includes items consulted by Merton, such as annotated articles, an indexed card catalog of his personal library, and assorted reading notes. The card catalog is arranged alphabetically and cross-indexed by both author and title. Included in this series are Merton's memory books. These books contain notes drafted by Merton in response to various articles and include a table of contents noting article titles and authors. Reference material also consists of a folder labeled: photo album. This folder contains newspaper and magazine clippings of portraits of well-known figures, including authors such as William Faulkner and Willa Cather, leaders like Dwight D. Eisenhower and Abraham Lincoln, and noteworthy individuals such as Albert Einstein, Thorstein Veblen, H.G. Wells, and Karl Marx. These images illustrate Merton's varied influences and interests. Subject files contain articles, clippings, notes, and occasional correspondence. Many of the topics are related to familiar themes explored over the course of Merton's career, as well as some that were never fully realized in publication. In some cases, subject files relate specifically to terms and phrases coined by Merton. These files track usage of the terms and related correspondence. Extensive clippings related to the self-fulfilling prophecy, a concept Merton created, reflect a project of long-standing in which Merton analyzed the diffusion of the idea into a number of other fields.
The series also includes extensive index cards arranged under the original order maintained by Merton and not alphabetized. These cards include items pertaining to early studies, projects, and themes. Interfiled with the index cards are clippings, notes, original thoughts and impressions, musings, and occasional correspondence. The items are largely undated and due to the volume, are not dated in the container list.
Contents
Access and use
- Parent restrictions:
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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.
Various folders throughout the collection may contain restrictions, which are noted in the contents list.
All original copies of audio / moving image media are closed until reformatting.
- Parent 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.
- Location of this collection:
- 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