Series II : Correspondence, 1920s-2001
- Scope and content:
-
Schapiro was a central figure in many important circles that range from art history, philosophy, architecture, sociology, science, and pedagogy. His reach is evident with those he kept in correspondence with throughout his life. Series II contains a substantial list of figures that are famous or well known in their field and illustrates how active Schapiro was in his professional and personal life.
Schapiro did not differentiate his correspondence files between the personal and the professional. While he maintained and organized correspondence alphabetically by an individual's last name, he did not organize to the individual level. For example, files designated as "B" included material in several folders that span seven decades. Each folder housed a variety of individuals with a last name beginning with "B" or an institutional name that began with that letter.
To clarify and bring entities and constituents to the foreground, all correspondence was systematically organized by individual or institution if they were either noteworthy or if they maintained a high volume of correspondence with Schapiro. For individuals and institutions not listed by name, consult the "general" correspondence files alphabetically.
For Schapiro, materials in his correspondence files also served as subject files for individuals. Schapiro would collect clippings, articles, and other printed material relating to specific individual and file them with correspondence. These items have remained intact and kept as Schapiro filed them with the individual's last name in designated folders.
Individuals working for specific entities such as universities, museums, and other institutions were also filed alphabetically according to either their last name or by their affiliation depending on Schapiro's choosing. If an individual is not listed in this series by last name, also consult institutions by name.
Correspondence that post-dates Schapiro's death were generated by his wife Lillian Milgram Schapiro and maintained in this series.
Correspondence found in other series of this collection was retained in their original files to preserve the context of the records they are associated with. When present, "correspondence" is indicated as a represented record type at the file level to facilitate their retrieval.
Contents
Access and use
- Parent restrictions:
-
This collection has no restrictions. The following boxes are located off-site: [55-665, 672-686]. 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. Boxes 1-54 from Series VIII: Works of art remain on-site as do the glass plate negative boxes 666-671.
Some unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized. Email rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
- 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