Subseries III.1: Book Drafts, circa 1947-1973, undated
Annotated typescripts and handwritten drafts of chapters, parts of chapters and outlines of chapters of books edited or authored by Blau includingSocial Theories of Jacksonian Democracy(1947),Men and Movements in American Philosophy(1952),Judaism: Postbiblical and Talmudic Periods(1954),William James: Pragmatism and Other Essays(1963)Francis Wayland: The Elements of Moral Science(1963),Cornerstones of Religious Freedom(rev. ed, 1964), andReform Judaism: A Historical Perspective(1973). More than half of these drafts have not been identified.
Arranged alphabetically by title of book when draft is identifiable; unidentified manuscripts are filed at the end of the alphabetical sequence.
Subseries III.2: Articles and Essays, circa 1931-1986
Typescripts and, less often, manuscripts of Blau's shorter writings. Undated pieces were probably written in the 1950s and 1960s. Representative subjects of these essays are Jewish history and philosophy, John Dewey, David Hume, the history of American philosophy and the philosophy of religion. Several biographies of American thinkers are also included. Most were published in journals such as theJournal of Philosophy,theHumanistandJewish Social Studies.
Arranged alphabetically by title of article or essay.
Subseries III.3: Book Reviews, circa 1939-1976
Mostly unmarked typescripts of one or two-page reviews and review notes written by Blau for publication in scholarly journals. Reviews are primarily of books in philosophy and religion such as Martin Buber'sTales of the Hasidimand Leonard White'sThe Federalists.
Arranged alphabetically by title of reviewed book.
Box 10
Book reviews, 1939-1976
Subseries III.4: Unpublished Manuscripts, undated
These boxes contain almost entire book drafts as well as a number of shorter articles that are suitable for publication.
Subseries III.5: Encyclopedia Articles, circa 1964
Reprints and original typescipts of short articles by Blau including a variety of biographies and topics in philosophy. These articles were published in theEncyclopedia of Philosophy,theEncyclopedia of Religion,and an encyclopedia published by the Arete Company. Also included are a group of encyclopedia articles whose eventual destination is unknown.
Arranged alphabetically by title of article.
Subseries III.6: Fiction and Literary Criticism, circa 1929-1931
Typescripts and manuscripts of Blau's short stories (such as "Time and Chance; or How I Murdered My Great-Aunt") and literary criticism (such as "A Critical Study of the Elizabethan Sonnet Sequence") Most of these works were written for undergraduate and graduate English classes; some include instructor's comments.
Unarranged.
Box 13
Fiction and literary criticism, 1929-1931
Subseries III.7: Poems, circa 1930 and 1943
Typescripts, carbons and clippings from Columbia magazines and newspapers of short poems by Blau. Also includes a 1943 NY Times Magazine clipping of Blau's poem "A Fantasy" with a typed draft.
Unarranged.
Box 13
Poems, circa 1930, 1943
Subseries III.8: Addresses/Talks, circa 1949-1985, undated
Typescripts, manuscripts and photocopies of addresses--other than classroom lectures--delivered by Blau on a multitude of topics (similar to those of his essays). Most of these addresses were given at New York area ethical unions, and at universities across the country. Included is a series of lectures Blau delivered to the 92nd St. YW-YMHA. Also included are several tributes Blau gave to colleagues and friends (Salo Baron, for example).
Arranged alphabetically by title; untitled addresses are filed after this alphabetical sequence.