Columbia Forum records, 1956-1975

Creator:

Abstract:

This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, memoranda, biographical forms, and promotional materials of The Columbia Forum, 1958-1975.

Extent:

40.03 linear feet (78 document boxes and 6 record cartons)

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

Editorial files of THE COLUMBIA FORUM, consisting of correspondence, manuscripts, memoranda, editorial reports, blurb and biographical forms, and promotional materials. These comprise the authors' morgue, organizational materials, Comments and Letters and "Before the House" sections, biographical and anthology files, and files of unpublished articles.

Biographical / historical:

The Columbia Forum was a quarterly journal for alumni started in 1957. As a replacement for the Columbia Alumni News, it was originally created to provide a forum for the thoughts and opinions of people who were in some way connected to Columbia, covering the entire range of the arts and sciences. It also included the Columbia Chronicle, a short section of news about the University. The publication was sent free-of-charge to alumni; non-alumni could subscribe or buy single copies with the proceeds going to the Columbia General Scholarship Fund. Writers for the Forum included such well-known Columbia professors as Peter Gay, Richard Hofstadter, Moses Hadas, Eric Bentley, Fritz Stern, and Ivar Berg. An anthology of the quarterly was published in 1968, edited by Peter Spackman and Lee Ambrose.

In October 1970, the University announced that the Forum's budget allotment would be discontinued and that Winter 1970 issue would be its last. The Forum appealed to its readers for funding pledges and it was soon reinstated as a non-official University publication. The Winter 1971 issue was the first of the new magazine and was also the last under the auspices of the University, mailed free to alumni. Subsequent issues were paid for by subscriptions and donations on its way to becoming a self-sustaining magazine, featuring no advertisements. The magazine was unable to become financially independent. With declining subscriptions and increasing debt, the Forum ceased publication in 1975.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Office of The Columbia Forum. Date of acquisition--1975. Accession number--M-75. Series V materials were transferred from the Office of the President (Low B-15) to the University Archives in 2002 (Acc # 2002.054, formerly UA#0048) and incorporated into MS#0250 in July 2019.

Custodial history:

Gift of The Columbia Forum, 1975.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 05/04/89. Series V was processed by Joanna Rios in July 2019.

Arrangement:

Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged. This collection is arranged in five series.

Accruals:

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

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related material:

Columbia University Forum (call# CJ C723)

Columbia Forum (call# CJ C7231)

In addition to the issues of the magazine, see The Columbia University forum anthology, edited by Peter Spackman & Lee Ambrose. (Call number B378.7CJ Sp11 OR call number CJ C723a). Additional materials can be found in the Office of Provost records (UA#0083).

Alternative form available:

Pearl S. Buck letter is on: microfilm.

Access and use

Restrictions:

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 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.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Columbia Forum records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
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

Collection