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Alfred Korzybski papers, 1917-1950

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Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.: MS#0727
Bib ID 4078999 View CLIO record
Creator(s) Korzybski, Alfred, 1879-1950
Title Alfred Korzybski papers, 1917-1950
Physical Description 11 linear feet (23 boxes)
Language(s) English .
Other Finding Aids

Legacy Finding aid

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 on-site.

Material is unprocessed: Box 27-31. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

All material relating to the biographical materials restricted to the written permission of donor to examine or photocopy: Microfilm Reel 38, and Box 19, 22-23.

Arrangement

Arrangement

Collection is in 2 series.

Description

Summary

Papers and correspondence including letters from leading intellectuals of the United States and Europe. Much of this correspondence pertains to the publication and critical discussion of his two influential works, MANHOOD OF HUMANITY : THE SCIENCE AND ART OF HUMAN ENGINEERING (1921) and SCIENCE AND SANITY : AN INTRODUCTION TO NON-ARISTOTELIAN SYSTEMS AND GENERAL SEMANTICS (1933).

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Other Finding Aids

Legacy Finding aid

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 on-site.

Material is unprocessed: Box 27-31. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

All material relating to the biographical materials restricted to the written permission of donor to examine or photocopy: Microfilm Reel 38, and Box 19, 22-23.

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); Alfred Korzybski papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Materials

Mira Edgerly Korzybska papers, 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.

Alternate Form Available

Microfilm available. See CLIO record 4079782.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Read, Mrs. Charlotte Schuchart. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1969. Accession number--M-69.

Papers: Source of acquisition--Read, Charlotte S. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--01/19/93. Accession number--M-93-01-19.

Gift of Charlotte Schuchart Read, 1969, 1980, 1990 & 1992.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 07/--/89.

Papers Processed HR 03/17/93.

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

Heading "CUL Archives:"
"Portal"		 "CUL Collections:"
"CLIO"		 "Nat'l / Int'l Archives:"
"ArchivedGRID"
Announcements Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Bills of sale Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Clippings (Information Artifacts) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Contracts Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Copyright certificates Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Financial records Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Lists (document genres) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Manuscripts (documents) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Memorabilia Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Memorandums Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Microfilms Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Patents Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Photographs Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Proceedings (reports) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Reminiscences Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Visiting cards Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID

Subject

Heading "CUL Archives:"
"Portal"		 "CUL Collections:"
"CLIO"		 "Nat'l / Int'l Archives:"
"ArchivedGRID"
General semantics Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Philosophers Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Philosophy Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Scientists Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Scrapbooks Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Semantics (Philosophy) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
United States. Fuel Administration Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
World War, 1914-1918 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Polish-American philosopher and scientist. Alfred Habdank Korzybski is widely known for his system of "general semantics.".

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Series I: Papers, 1917-1950


Box 1 Correspondence, 1917-1920

Box 1 Manhood of Humanity Correspondence, July 1920-April 1921; 17 Feb. 1921-11 Jan. 1949


Box 2 Correspondence, Sept 1920-May 1922


Box 3 Original Correspondence, April-October 1921


Box 4 Original Correspondence, November-December 1921

Box 4 Correspondence, 1922-March 1923


Box 5 Correspondence, March 1923-December 1924


Box 6 Correspondence, 1924


Box 7 Correspondence, December 1924-July 1926


Box 8 Correspondence, 1925-1927


Box 9 Correspondence, 1927-January 1931


Box 10 Correspondence, January 1931-February 1933


Box 11 Correspondence, 1933-1935


Box 12 Correspondence, 1933-1935


Box 13 General Correspondence, 1933-January 1935

Box 13 Science and Sanity Correspondence, September 1932-February 1933


Box 14 Science and Sanity, Permissions and Copyrights (permission to quote in Science and Sanity)

Box 14 Science Press Correspondence, 1934-1938

Box 14 Inventions

Box 14 Congresses-Mathematical, Pan American, Philosophical


Box 15 Clippings for Science and Sanity circular

Box 15 Enquiries, gifts, etc., re: Science and Sanity, May 1933-January 1935

Box 15 General, January-April 1935

Box 15 Letters of Recommendation, after publication of Science and Sanity

Box 15 First Congress on General Semantics clippings

Box 15 Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1918-1919

Box 15 Miscellaneous Manuscripts

Box 15 Miscellaneous Correspondence alphabetized

Box 15 Congresses: Mathematical, Philosophical, Mental Hygiene


Box 16 Correspondence with Dr. Arthur Bentley, 1932-1935


Box 17 War Correspondence

Box 17 Polish Materials


Box 18 War Records

Box 18 U.S. Horseshoe Co.

Box 18 U.S. Fuel Administration


Box 19 Biographical Materials: Korzybski's reminiscences, 1947

Permission required to see.

1980 Gift. Not on microfilm.


Box 20 Scrapbook, 1917-1921

1990 Gift. On microfilm


Box 21 Scrapbook, 1921-1929

1990 Gift. On microfilm

Box 21 Photos and memorabilia, re: W. W. I, 1916-1918

1990 Gift. On microfilm


Box 22 Correspondence, Mostly with Mira E. Korzybska, 1940-1950

Permission required to see.

1992 Gift. Not on microfilm.


Box 23 Financial and personal records, 1938-1950

Permission required to see.

1992 Gift. Not on microfilm.


Box 24 Knute M. Houck case


Box 25 Knute M. Houck case


Box 26 Knute M. Houck case

Series II: Microfilms

Microfilm version of these papers: is arranged in a different sequence than the original mss.


Microfilm 1 Scrapbook and clippings (two scrapbooks), 307 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 2 Old green scrapbook, Science Press bills and contracts, War documents and records, 902 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 3 One scrapbook about Manhood of Humanity reviews, etc., 336 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 4 Roll A: Manhood of Humanity-Original manuscript, appendixes, correspondence (folders I and II), 811 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 5 Roll B: Manhood of Humanity-Correspondence (folder III), War correspondence and records. Paper on Alephs and Infinity, San Francisco 1945, 520 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 6 Correspondence Sept. 1920 - Aug. 1922 (important), also probably some correspondence June 1922 - July 1923 (important), Sept. 1920-July 1923

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 7 Remainder of correspondence folder on Roll 6, also correspondence with Arthur Bentley, 1922 June-July, 1384 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 8 Roll 7: Correspondence (less important and copies), Jan. 1, 1922-August 22, 1922

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 9 Roll 8: Correspondence, August 1922-March 1923, 1687 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 10 Roll 9: Correspondence, August 1923-April 9, 1924

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 11 Correspondence from San Francisco, and part of Correspondence, April-August 1921, 757 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 12 Correspondence, letters, and miscellaneous manuscripts, Aug.-Dec. 1921; 1921, 1922, 652 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 13 Correspondence March 1923 - January 14, 1924 (less important and copies) and part of Correspondence Jan. - May 1924 (less important and copies), March 1923-May 1924, 752 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 14 Part of correspondence January - May 1924, (less important and copies), and correspondence April 15 - Dec. 15, 1924 (important - Library), 1924, 759 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 15 Correspondence May - December 19, 1924 (less important and copies), and part of correspondence Dec. 1924 - Dec. 16, 1925, 1924 December-1925 December, 757 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 16 Part of correspondence Dec. 1924 - Dec. 16, 1925 (less important and copies), and part of correspondence (first part of folder) Dec. 16,1924 - July 1926, 1924 December-1926 July, 739 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 17 Latter part of folder of correspondence Dec. 16, 1924 - July 1926 (important), Dec. 16, 1924-July 1926, 350 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 18 Correspondence Dec. 1925 - Dec. 1926 (less important and copies) and first part of correspondence folder July 1926 (important), Dec. 1925-July 1926, 730 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 19 Latter part of folder of correspondence July 1926 (important); also Knute M. Houck case Dec. 1926 (confidential) and folder of Cases Dec. 1926 (confidential), also correspondence 1927 (important originals), and first part of folder of correspondence Jan. -Dec. 15 1927 (less important and copies), 1926 December-1927, 1926 December-1927, 732 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 20 Latter part of folder of correspondence Jan. 1927 - Dec. 15, 1927 (less important and copies), and first part of correspondence Dec. 1927 - Feb. 1929 (less important and copies), Jan. 1927-Feb. 1929, 738 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 21 Latter part of correspondence Dec. 1927 - Feb. 1929 and all of folder of correspondence marked Nov. 1927 - Jan. 21, 1931(important), Dec. 1927-Jan. 1931, 829 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 22 Correspondence Feb. 1929 - Jan. 1931 (copies and less important) and Feb. 1931 - Feb. 1933 (important), Feb. 1929-Feb. 1933, 750 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 23 Correspondence Jan. 1931 - Feb. 1933 (copies and less important) and first part of correspondence, 1931-Feb. 1933, 671 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 24 Last part of correspondence folder 1931- Feb. 1933, all of folder Sept. 1932 - Feb. 1933, and first part of Feb. 1933-Oct. 4, 1933 (personal and important), 1931-Feb. 1933, 739 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 25 Last part of correspondence folder Feb. 1933 - Oct. 4, 1933 (personal, important) and first part of General Correspondence Jan. 1, 1933 - Jan. 5, 1935, Feb. 1933- Jan. 5, 1935, 674 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 26 Last part of General Correspondence Jan. 1, 1933 - Jan. 5, 1935 all of folder of Lectures, General - Nov. 19, 1933 Scientific correspondence Dec. 12, 1934, 1933-1935, 500 pages

The designations of important and less important were made by Korzybski and marked on his folders. Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 27 Reviews 1933-1935 and Scientific meetings, March 5, 1934, 1933-1935, 733 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 28 Early correspondence between Alfred Korzybski and Mira Edgerly Korzybska, also Polish letters. Confidential, 165 pages

Made by Microfilm Corporation, New York.


Microfilm 29 Correspondence with Rainich, 144 pages

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 30 Correspondence with Philip Graven. Confidential, 643 pages

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 31 Copyright folder, also Business Correspondence with Dutton about Manhood of Humanity, 278 pages

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 32 1) War records, Petawawa Camp, Russian Artillery 2) U.S. Horse Shoe Co., Erie, Pa. 1917 3) War Records 4) U.S. Fuel Administration 5) Correspondence and Documents 1919-1920 6) Correspondence 1933-1935, various, alphabetical A through Miscellaneous L, 1917-1935, 1874 pages

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 33 Continuation from Reel 32 of Correspondence, various, alphabetized 1933-1935, L (Lang) through Z, 1933-1935

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 34 Clippings for Science and Sanity circular; Enquiries, gifts, etc., re: Science and Sanity (May 1933 - Jan 1935); General Correspondence, Jan - Apr 1935; Letters of Recommendation, after publication of Science and Sanity; First Congress on General Semantics clippings; Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1918-1919; Miscellaneous Manuscripts (various years); Miscellaneous Correspondence alphabetized (various years); Congresses (Mathematical, Philosophical, Mental Hygiene), 1918-1935, 950 pages

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 35 Permissions to quote in Science and Sanity; Science and Sanity Copyright documents and correspondence; Science Press Correspondence 1933-1938; Science Press Bills (2 folders, one dated 1933-1935) Patent Documents for Anthropometer; Time-binding Papers and Anthropometer Copyrights, etc.; Inventions, Congresses - Mathematical, Pan American, Philosophical, 1933-1938, 1020 pages

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 36 Knute M. Houck Case-2 large group folders

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 37 Polish Mechanics Co., potentials on recruiting officers on Polish Army in France; Miscellaneous

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 38 Biographical Materials in Polish, circa 1920-1940

Permission required to see.

Made by Columbia University.


Microfilm 39 Original scrapbook of Korzybski's father in the possession of Janusz Krajewski, Warsaw, Poland

Made by Columbia University.

Correspondence in files of the Institute of General Semantics, Alfred Korzybski file.


Microfilm 40 A


Microfilm 41 Cab-Cloth


Microfilm 42 F


Microfilm 43 Ha


Microfilm 44 Miscellaneous


Microfilm 45 Miscellaneous


Microfilm 46 Miscellaneous


Microfilm 47 L


Microfilm 48 Mea-My


Microfilm 49 Pa-Pe


Microfilm 50 Ro-Ry


Microfilm 51 Sa-Se


Microfilm 52 We-Wh

Series III: Unprocessed


Box 27 Unprocessed


Box 28 Unprocessed


Box 29 Unprocessed


Box 30 Unprocessed


Box 31 Unprocessed