Park Benjamin papers, 1645-1925

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged. Box 1-4: Cataloged correspondence; Box 5-6: Cataloged manuscripts & documents; Box 7-8: Poems; Box 9: Lectures; Box 10-11: Genealogical materials; Box 12: Demerara accounts; Box 13: Photographs & sheet music; Box 13-15: Printed materials; Box 16: Benjamin family items; Box 17-22: Merle Hoover notes.

• Series I: Cataloged Materials
• Subseries I.1: Cataloged Correspondence
• Suberies I.2: Cataloged Manuscripts and Documents
• Series II: Uncataloged Papers

Description

Summary

Correspondence, manuscripts of poems, and manuscripts of lectures by Benjamin. The correspondence consists of original letters of Benjamin, typescript and photostatic copies of Benjamin letters in other libraries, and letters to Benjamin from some of his literary contemporaries including Paul Hamilton Hayne, Willis Gaylord Clark, John Lothrop Motley, and Fitz-Greene Halleck. Many of the letters relate to Park Benjamin's lecture tours. There are other family letters and many documents relating to the Benjamin family,and two letterbooks of John Lothrop Motley. Also, a large amount of genealogical material of the Benjamin family, and its related families from the 16th century to the present day. There are also financial records, monographs, clippings, and photographs.

• Series I: Cataloged Materials

• Series II: Uncataloged Papers

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.

The following boxes are located off-site: 7-22. 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. This collection is located on-site.

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); Benjamin Park papers; 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 William E. Benjamin, 1937; added to by gifts from his family.

Bequest of Dallas Pratt, 1994.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Benjamin, W. E. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--03/--/1937. Accession number--M37-03.

Letterbook of J.L. Motley: Source of acquisition--5285B (NYState). Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--01/26/1994. Accession number--M-94-01-26.

A. Lincoln letter: Source of acquisition--Pratt, Dallas. Method of acquisition--Bequest; Date of acquisition--05/20/1994. Accession number--M-94-05-20.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 04/04/1989.

Letterbook of J.L. Motley Cataloged HR 04/04/1994.

A. Lincoln letter Cataloged HR 12/04/1996.

Revision Description

2009-07-07 File created.

2012-10-09 XML document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi

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

2021-10-08 Corrected off-by-one error in box number in Series II. kws

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.

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Genre/Form

Subject