William J. McGill papers, 1929-1979

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in four series: Series I: Correspondence; Series II: Subject Files; Series III: Psychology; Series IV: University of California at San Diego.

• Series I: Correspondence, 1941-1977
• Series II: Subject Files
• Series III: Psychology
• Series IV: University of California at San Diego

Description

Summary

Correspondence, memoranda, notes, speeches, scientific data, photographs and printed material. Half of the collection relates to McGill's research and writing in the fields of experimental and mathematical psychology, particularly in the psychology of perception, and contains drafts of papers, notes, class materials and works by others. Also included are files relating to McGill's chairmanship of the Carnegie Commission on the Future of Public Broadcasting, files pertaining to his participation on the New York State Special Advisory Panel on Medical Malpractice, and some papers from his chairmanship of the psychology department, and later chancellorship, of the University of California, San Diego. Some personal correspondence and documents are also included. Among the cataloged correspondence are John W. Gardiner, Edward M. Kennedy, Margaret Mead, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Jonas Salk, and Beverly Sills

• Series I: Correspondence, 1941-1977

• Series II: Subject Files

• Series III: Psychology

• Series IV: University of California at San Diego

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.

The following boxes are located offsite: 2-56. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room

This collection was restricted during the donor's lifetime.

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); William J. McGill papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Materials

For additional materials related to McGill's tenure as University President, please consult Central Files (UA#0001). Additional speeches and remarks can be found in the William J. McGill speeches, 1971-1980 (UA#0309).

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 J. McGill, 1980.

Transfer from the President's Office, 1984.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--McGill, William J. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1980. Accession number--M-1980.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Entered in AMC 10/08/90.

Revision Description

2020-06-29 PDF replaced with full finding aid (JR)

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

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

William J. McGill received an AB and MA from Fordham and the Ph.D. from Harvard. After serving as an assistant professor at MIT, McGill joined Columbia's Department of Psychology in 1956, became associate professor in 1958 and full professor two years later, serving as chairman of the psychology department from 1961 to 1963. He left Columbia for five years to become a professor and chancellor at UC San Diego and returned to Columbia as president in 1970. His administration was marked by recovery from a state of fiscal instability, growth in fund raising, construction of several major facilities, curricular innovations and establishment of the Society of Fellows in the Humanities. In 1980, McGill retired to La Jolla, California following his tenure as president.