Ralph L. Rusk papers, 1913-1956

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Listed and arranged.

• Series 1: Correspondence; Photos; Manuscripts
• Series II: Photostats of Books of Colonial American Poetry
• Series III: Card File Boxes of Notes: Colonial American Poetry
• Series IV: Card File Boxes of Notes: Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Series V: Card File Boxes of Notes: Emma Lazarus
• Series VI: Photostat

Description

Summary

Correspondence, manuscripts, notes, course related materials, photographs, photostats, and printed materials of Rusk. Included are two small files of correspondence, approximately 100 items, relating to Rusk's editing of THE LETTERS OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON (1939) and to his study of occasional poetry in Colonial America for the Colonial Project in American Literature. The manuscripts include several miscellaneous items by Rusk, and five Columbia University masters essays submitted to him in connection with the Colonial American poetry study. Also, 12,000 note cards relating to this study as well as 150 photostatic copies of books of Colonial American poetry. For the Emerson edition there are 14,000 note cards on Emerson's life and letters. There are also 1,000 note cards for Rusk's edition of THE LETTERS OF EMMA LAZARUS (1939). The Columbia course related materials consist of notes, syllabi, reading lists, bibliographies, examination questions, lists of students and a few letters from them for Rusk's American literature course, 1931-1951. The printed materials are mainly reprints of articles on R.W. Emerson, inscribed to Rusk and containing annotations by him. In addition there are 23 photographs taken by Rusk in 1913, of a Passion Play which was performed in the Philippines.

• Series 1: Correspondence; Photos; Manuscripts

• Series II: Photostats of Books of Colonial American Poetry

• Series III: Card File Boxes of Notes: Colonial American Poetry

• Series IV: Card File Boxes of Notes: Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Series V: Card File Boxes of Notes: Emma Lazarus

• Series VI: Photostat

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); Ralph L. Rusk 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.

Reproduction Note

Type of reproduction--Photostatic copies in part

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Rusk, R. L. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1956. Accession number--M-56.

Publications About Described Materials

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. The Letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson, edited by Ralph L. Rusk. New York : Columbia University Press, 1939. [6 v.].

Lazarus, Emma. Letters to Emma Lazarus in the Columbia University Library, edited by Ralph L. Rusk. New York : Columbia University Press, 1939.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 09/--/89.

Katia Shraga, May 2019: as migration issue for top containers is concerned, renamed boxes of Series III, IV and V as "Card File Box" + number; renamed Box 5 under Series VI: Photostat as "Tube Box 5".

Revision Description

2009-06-26 File created.

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.

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Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Professor of English, Columbia University, 1925-1954, and Ralph Waldo Emerson specialist. Rusk taught English at the University of the Philippines, 1912-1914. Columbia University A.M., 1912; Ph.D., 1925.