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Karl Polanyi papers, 1937-1963, bulk 1947-1963

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Series III: Columbia University Materials, 1940-1962

This series contains material relating to Polanyi's tenure as professor of economics at Columbia University from 1947 to 1953. The material primarily consists of handwritten lecture notes and course outlines, as well as writings from university-supported and -centered faculty seminars and the Ford Foundation-funded research project. These latter writings are mostly in memo-form, but also include short write-ups on various topics. All of these materials, while distinct in form, have similar themes to Polanyi's other research and book projects. The material is arranged alphabetically.

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Subseries 1: Interdisciplinary Project on Economic Aspects of Institutional Growth and University Seminar on the Institutionalizing of the Economic Process Materials,, 1950s

This subseries contains writings and other materials relating to two interrelated and interdependent research projects: the University Seminar on the Institutionalization of the Economic Process, and the Interdisciplinary Project on Economic Aspects of Institutional Growth. The former project, the University Seminar, was sponsored in 1948 by Columbia University's Council for Research in the Social Sciences, and involved a host of scholars both at Columbia and at other research institutions. Shortly after Polanyi's retirement, Polanyi and Conrad Arensberg received a Ford Foundation grant, in 1953, for what was known as the Interdisciplinary Project on Economic Aspects of Institutional Growth. Each of these projects produced a number of writings, primarily in the form of memos which were, apparently, for internal circulation and not intended for publication--rather, they appear to have been part of group presentations given by members of the seminar and research projects. Much of this material seems to be preliminary studies for and early drafts ofTrade and Market in the Early Empires,edited by Polanyi and co-authored by other Interdisciplinary Project participants.

This subseries also contains memos and minutes from the University Seminar and the Interdisciplinary Project, as well as the outline of the Project and the application material presented to the Ford Foundation.


Box 6 Folder 1 Aristotle Memo (#18), 1955

Box 6 Folder 2 Ford Foundation-- Proposal, Award, Memos, 1953-1955

Box 6 Folder 3 General Writings and Memos, 1950s

Box 6 Folder 4 Memoranda and Bibliography of Memoranda, 1950s

Box 6 Folder 5-7 Memos 1-25, 1953-56 (Memos 22 and 23 missing) (3 Folders)

Box 6 Folder 8 Outline of Project--Note No. 7 and Unnumbered Notes, 1955

Box 6 Folder 9 "Semantics of General Economic History", undated


Box 7 Folder 1-2 University Seminar Lecture, "Markets"--undated, (2 Folders)

Box 7 Folder 3 University Seminar on the Institutionalizing of the Economic Process--Minutes, memos,, 1953-1955

Subseries 2: Course Materials, 1947-1952

This subseries contains extensive handwritten and typed lecture notes for Polanyi's various seminars taught while at Columbia University, as well as syllabi and course descriptions. Polanyi appears to have kept multiple copies of lecture notes, which he clearly labeled. This subseries also contains an introduction to a Masters thesis, written by Polanyi in his capacity as Columbia faculty.

The material in this series is arranged alphabetically.

Course Notes

Box 7 Folder 4 "Archaic Greece"--2nd and 3rd Copy--undated

Box 7 Folder 5-6 Economics 151-52--General Economic History, 1947-1949 (2 Folders), 1947-1949

Box 7 Folder 7 Economics 252, 1949


Box 8 Folder 1 Economics 252: Economic History of Early Greece and Rome,1948

Box 8 Folder 2 Economics Courses, 1947-1950

Box 8 Folder 3 Grade Book, 1947-1952

[Restricted until 2032]

Box 8 Folder 4 "Hesiod" Course, 1949-1950

Main Course, 1947-1949

Box 8 Folder 5 Lecture Notes, 1949

Box 8 Folder 6-8 Parts I, 1947-1949 (3 Folders), 1947-1949


Box 9 Folder 1-5 Parts II-III, 1947-1949 (5 Folders), 1947-1949

Box 9 Folder 6-7 Second Course (Greek and Roman), undated (2 Folders), undated

Box 9 Folder 8-9 Third Course, 1949 (2 Folders), 1949


Box 10 Folder 1 Lecture Courses--Table of Contents, undated

Box 10 Folder 2 Introduction to William Bennett Master's Thesis, undated