The majority of the Sighle Kennedy Papers consists of notes, research materials and drafts related to Kennedy's scholarly work on Samuel Beckett's novels, plays, and poetry. Most of this material was produced or gathered from the 1970s–1990s, during which Kennedy worked as a professor in the English department at Hunter College in New York City. The Papers contain correspondence between Kennedy and Beckett from 1967-1988, as well as two autograph letters from Beckett to his relative Harry Sinclair, one written in 1937 and one in 1938. The correspondence also includes letters Kennedy wrote to and received from other Beckett scholars. A small number of audio recordings (including gramophone records from the 1920s), several prints, including four by the Irish artist Jack Butler Yeats, and a number of annotated books complete this collection.
The Sol Stein Papers chart the literary life of author, editor and publisher, Sol Stein, who in addition to his own career as novelist and playwright, founded the publishing house Stein and Day. His papers contain correspondence with important literary figures; multiple drafts of his plays, novels and non-fiction writing; and correspondence which closely documents the editing process. The papers also include some material relating to Stein's political activities as Executive Director of The American Committee for Cultural Freedom and as Ideological Analyst and writer for The Voice of America.
Sophie Wilkins worked as an editor for Alfred A. Knopf and as a translator. The records contain correspondence, manuscripts, subject files and other materials documenting her work, and her literary and personal relationships.
The Strickman Cigarette Filter Collection documents Columbia's brief ownership of the patent for a cigarette filter invented by chemist Robert Strickman. Soon after their announcement of the agreement, the filter was found to be not much more effective than those in use at the time and Columbia withdrew its support. These records includes Columbia's statements, correspondence, and other materials generated throughout the incident.