Bill of Rights Fund records, 1954-1966

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection contains financial documents pertaining to grants awarded and refused by the Bill of Rights Fund in addition to correspondence, minutes, reports and printed matter.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Grants arranged alphabetically by recipient; remainder arranged by topic.

• Series I: Bill of Rights Fund Papers, 1954-1966

Description

Scope and Content

Correspondence, minutes, reports, financial documents, clippings, and pamphlets of the Bill of Rights Fund.

• Series I: Bill of Rights Fund Papers, 1954-1966

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

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.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies 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.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known);Bill of Rights Fund records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

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

Ownership and Custodial History

Gift of Corliss Lamont, 1981.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Records: Source of acquisition--Lamont, Corliss. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1981.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Records Processed HR 10/--/81.

Revision Description

2012-02-21 xml document instance created by Alison Rhonemus

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical sketch

The Bill of Rights Fund was founded in New York in 1954 to provide financial aid in civil liberties court cases that raised important constitutional issues. The officers were: Corliss Lamont, President; Eleanor Jackson Piel, Secretary; Palmer Weber, treasurer; and Philip Wittenberg, Counsel. During its more than 11 years of existence, the Bill of Rights Fund made grants in excess of $160,000 to more than 165 individuals and organizations. The Fund suspended operations in 1966 because contributions to it had steadily decreased and it was never able to obtain tax exemption for gifts.