Robert Ross Alden papers 4078413Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Butler Library, 6th FloorColumbia University, Mail Code 1127535 W. 114th St.New York, NY 10027Business Number: (212) 854-5153Fax Number: (212) 854-1365rbml@libraries.cul.columbia.eduURL:

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This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-01-23 18:17:48 -0500.Description is written in: English, Latin script.Describing Archives: A Content Standard2009/01/21xml document instange created by Patrick Lawlor2009-05-04xml document instance edited by Carrie Hintz2010-01-20Legacy finding aid created from Pro Cite.2019-05-20EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration. Rare Book and Manuscript Library Robert Ross Alden papers Alden, Robert Ross 4078413 MS#0014 English . 10 linear feet 20 boxes 1 oversize folder 1935-1973 Arrangement

This collection is arranged into 10 series.

 Restrictions on Access

This collection has no restrictions.

 Restrictions on Access

The following boxes are located off-site: Boxes 2-23. 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.

 Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known);Robert Ross Alden papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

 Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

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.

 Immediate Source of Acquisition

Papers: Source of acquisition--Alden, Dion. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1977.

 Biographical sketch

Robert Ross Alden, 1922-1973 (born Robert A. Rosenfeld) began working at the New York Times in 1941 as a messenger boy while he was still an undergraduate at City College. Except for his army service during World War II, his entire career was spent at the Times in a wide variety of positions including local reporter; war, diplomatic, and Southeast Asia correspondent; director of real estate news; assistant metropolitan editor; and at his death, United Nations Bureau Chief.

 Ownership and Custodial History

Gift of Dion Alden (Mrs. Robert), 1977.

 Processing Information

Processed by Bernard Crystal and Henry Rowen 07/20/77.

 Scope and Content

Professional and personal papers containing correspondence, manuscripts (chiefly typescript versions, many with holograph corrections), documents, photographs, memorabilia, newspapers clippings, printed materials, and some art work. The letters cover his professional, personal and family life. Among the significant correspondents are Orvil E. Dryfoos, James B. Reston and the Sulzberger family. The majority of the papers consist of Alden's manuscripts for his articles and editorials written for the "New York Times." There are some articles that were submitted to various magazines, as well as copy under the pseudonym, Carlton (Tubby) Belmont, written for the Women's news Service. Alden's "Times" writings deal with the New York metropolitan area, the 1963-64 World's Fair, France, Cuba, Southeast Asia, Ships, and the United Nations. In addition there are manuscripts of his stories, novels and poetry. The stories and novels deal with reporters, politics, war and show business. Alden's personal papers and documents relate to his years at City College and in the Army and contain other personal items. Also included is a typescript copy of his autobiography. The newspaper clippings and printed matrerials are mostly of his writings. There are numerous photographs as well as more than one box of memorabilia.

 Scope and Content

The letters cover his professional, personal and family life. Among the significant correspondents are Orvil E. Dryfoos, James B. Reston and the Sulzberger family. The majority of the papers consist of Alden's manuscripts for his articles and editorials written for The New York Times.

 Scope and Content

There are some articles that were submitted to various magazines, as well as copy under the pseudonym, Carlton (Tubby) Belmont, written for the Women's News Service. Alden's Times writings deal with the New York metropolitan area, the 1963-64 World's Fair, France, Cuba, Southeast Asia, Ships, and the United Nations. In addition there are manuscripts of his stories, novels and poetry.

 Scope and Content

The stories and novels deal with reporters, politics, war and show business. Alden's personal papers and documents relate to his years at City College and in the army and contain other personal items.

 Scope and Content

Also included is a typescript copy of his autobiography. The newspaper clippings and printed matrerials are mostly of his writings. There are numerous photographs as well as more than one box of memorabilia.

 Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

 New York (N.Y.) Photographic prints Journalists New York times Dryfoos, Orvil E. (Orvil Eugene), 1912-1963 Reston, James, 1909-1995 Sulzberger, Arthur Hays, 1891-1968 Sulzberger, Arthur Ochs, 1926-2012 Sulzberger, Iphigene Ochs Series I: Cataloged CorrespondenceScope and Contents

Arranged alphabetically

Brooks, Gladys Rice Billings (Mrs. Van Wyck)1Crowther, Bosley1Dryfoos, Orvil E.1Farago, Ladislas1Heubsch, Ben W.1Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, Certificate1Levine, Joseph E.1Lindsay, John Vliet1Lynes, Russell1Mancroft, Stormont, 2nd Baron1Reston, James Barrett1Rockefeller, Nelson Aldrich1Romulo, Carlos P.1Sinclair, Upton1Steinhem, Gloria1Sulzberger, Arthur Hays1Sulzberger, Arthur Ochs1Sulzberger, Iphigene Ochs (Mrs. Arthur H.)1Waldheim, Kurt1Series II: Arranged CorrespondenceScope and Contents

Arranged alphabetically

A-G1H-Z, Unidentified correspondence, Family correspondence2Letters of Condolence3Scope and Contents

[These letters are unfolded, most still in their original envelopes]

Series III: ManuscriptsSubseries III.1: Articles for PeriodicalsGeneral: chiefly New York City Metropolitan Area4Writings about various countries in Asia, Cuba and France. Also, related research materials.5Ships, Talent, Topics of the Times, United Nations.6United Nations7Articles written under the Carlton (Tubby) Belmont, pseud., Incomplete articles, Related materials to several stories, Editorials, Miscellaneous, Poetry, Novels8Subseries III.2: Novels"The George Duck Story" and "World of Vietnam". Drafts and corrected typescripts9Subseris III.3: StoriesStories10Series IV: Personal Papers and DocumentsAddress and date books; Army documents; Biographical materials; City College papers; and Personal documents.11Series V: ManuscriptsAlden, Robert Ross Autobiography.12Series VI: MemorabiliaMemorabilia, including Signma Delta Chi Award, Award plaques, Press badges and cards, Pins and Army decorations.13Series VII: PhotographsPhotographs, related to his stories written for the New York Times.14Scope and Contents

[Photographs are in no order and need rehousing. ]

Series VIII: Printed MaterialsSunseries VIII.1: MagazinesPrinted materials of NY Times Magazine US News and World Report, and several other publications that featured articles by Alden.14Scope and Contents

[No order present and the paper is in need of preservation. ]

Magazines with articles by Alden, reprints of individual pieces, and a number of "Times Talk", an internal publication for the staff of the New York Times.1950s-1960s15United Nations related items, such as memos, and a large number of invitations to official events.16Subseries VIII.2: Newspaper clippingsScope and Contents

Arranged chronologically

1952-195817Scope and Contents

[Original clippings need preservation work. ]

1959-196518Scope and Contents

[Original clippings need preservation work. ]

Unsorted19Scope and Contents

[Original clippings need preservation work. ]

Unsorted20Scope and Contents

[Original clippings need preservation work. ]

Series IX: ScrapbooksNos. 1 & 2, contains clippings of Alden's newspaper pieces,No. 1: 1 March 1947 - 22 August 1951, No. 2: 5 Jan. -31 Dec. 196021No. 3, contains clippings of Alden's newspaper pieces1 January - 9 July 196121No. 4, contains clippings of Alden's newspaper pieces25 March 1972 - 23 October 1973116No. 5: World's Fair1963 - 196422No. 6: World's Fair, contains clippings of Alden's newspaper pieces,23Scrapbook: U.N., Middle EastMarch 28, 197221Series X: Art Work1. Pencil sketch of Robert Alden, 2. Two unidentified pencil sketches, 3. architectural pen-and-ink sketch by De Scutt,19702