David Abrahamsen papers, 1906-1990

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Series I: Correspondence, 1938-1981

Most of the letters in Series I are from David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam serial killer. Written while incarcerated in Attica, Berkowitz corresponded regularly with Abrahamsen over a two year period. Much of the subject matter consists of Berkowitz trying to self-analyze about why he committed crimes. Abrahamsen continuously asked questions about Berkowitz's family, his upbringing, and his relationships with other people. There are a few letters from Jessamyn West, a distant relative of Nixon who assisted Abrahamsen while he was working on his book Nixon vs. Nixon.

Berkowitz, David

Request Box 1

Box 1 Folder 1 1979 February-July

Box 1 Folder 2 1979 August-1980 February

Box 1 Folder 3 1980 March-1981 January

Box 1 Folder 4 1981 February-August

Box 1 Folder 5 B, 1945-1947

Box 1 Folder 6 E through G, 1938-1949, 1957-1958, 1967, 1938-1949, 1957-1958, 1967

Box 1 Folder 7 L, 1945-1965

Box 1 Folder 8 M through O, 1945-1952

Box 1 Folder 9 S through T, 1945-1952, 1974, 1945-1952, 1974

Box 1 Folder 10 West, Jessamyn, 1974-1976

Series II: Subject Files, 1906-1978

This small series contains documents with related correspondence concerning Adlai Stevenson's presidential run, articles written by psychologist Otto Weininger, and printed material from a conference sponsored by Columbia University for the study and prevention of crime. Abrahamsen presented at the conference and there are copies of his talk.

Box 1 Folder 11 Columbia University Forum for the Study and Prevention of Crime, 1949

Box 1 Folder 12 Stevenson, Adlai, 1952-1953

Box 1 Folder 13 Weininger, Otto, 1906, 1929-1947, 1978, 1906, 1929-1947, 1978

Series III: Research Projects, 1944-1990

Series III is the largest series of the collection and is comprised of files regarding three research projects: Nixon vs. Nixon: An Emotional Tragedy, Confessions of Son of Sam, and Murder and Madness: The Secret Life of Jack the Ripper.

Subseries III.1: David Berkowitz, 1979

Interviews of David Berkowitz along with writings by him are held in this subseries.

Box 1 Folder 14 Childhood, 1979

Box 1 Folder 15 Starkweather Excerpts with Notes, 1979

Box 1 Folder 16 Interview, 1979 May 17

Box 1 Folder 17 Notarized Affidavits, 1979 May 17

Subseries III.2: Jack the Ripper, 1944-1990

The majority of the records in this subseries are drafts of Abrahamsen's manuscript. These drafts are heavily edited and illustrate the process Abrahamsen went through in order to create the final product. Correspondence with research institutions and medical doctors in England, research notes, and articles regarding personality and crime (many written by Abrahamsen) are also in this subseries.

Box 1 Folder 18 Articles, 1944-1952, 1982, 1944-1952, 1982

Box 1 Folder 19 Correspondence, 1988-1989

Drafts

Box 1 Folder 20 to 21 Chapters 1 through 3, undated, 1984, (2 Folders)

Box 1 Folder 22 Chapter 3, undated

Box 1 Folder 23 Chapter 4, undated

Box 1 Folder 24 Chapter 5, undated, 1989

Box 1 Folder 25 Chapter 6, undated

Box 1 Folder 26 to 27 Chapters 6 through 8, undated, (2 Folders)

Box 1 Folder 28 Chapter 7, undated

Box 1 Folder 29 Chapter 8, undated, 1990

Box 1 Folder 30 Footnotes, undated

Box 1 Folder 31 to 32 Research Files, undated, 1981-1990, (2 Folders)

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Box 2

Subseries III.3: Nixon vs. Nixon , 1960-1977

Subseries III.3 is composed of research files with accompanying notes, correspondence with individuals who had some connection with Richard Nixon, early photographs of Nixon's family, and a draft of the manuscript with edits. Of interest are a series of interviews conducted by Abrahamsen with people who knew Nixon as a child and an adult, including a White House correspondent and Nixon's longtime campaign manager.

Box 2 Folder 1 Correspondence, 1975-1976

Box 2 Folder 2 to 4 Draft, 1977, (3 Folders)

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Box 3 Nixon Film: 5 Five minute spots, undated, 1 film reels (16mm); 1-800ft reel, color, sound

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Box 2 Folder 5 Interviews, 1975-1976

Box 2 Folder 6 Photographs, undated, 1960s-1970s, undated, 1960s-1970s

Box 2 Folder 7 Research Files, 1970s

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