Ernest Becker papers, 1952-1977, bulk 1962-1974

Summary Information

Abstract

Becker's papers consist primarily of correspondence and notes on cultural anthropology, sociology, and psychology. Boxes of notecards and annotated books are also included in the collection.

Description

Summary

The collection contains many of Becker's notes and lectures on cultural anthropology, sociology, psychiatry, and psychology. His correspondence consists of letters to close friends, and colleagues about his works, as well as letters to potential publishers. His observations, notes and lectures are typed on notecards along with related newspaper clippings. He also recorded his thoughts on the inside covers and the first few pages of various books. There are also two personal journals from the 1950s.

• Series I: Correspondence, 1966-1974

  In this series, there are letters between Becker and his friends and colleagues in the academic field and in the publishing arena.

• Series II: Published Materials, 1962-1977

  This series contains correspondence and published reviews related to his various books.

• Series III: Academic Materials, 1958-1973

  This series consists of Becker's lectures, notes, semester schedules, course outlines, and reading lists.

• Series IV: Personal Materials, 1958-1973

  This series contains Becker's bound journals from the 1950s, a typed biography and personal journal, and resumé.

• Series V: Research Notecards (5 Notecard Boxes), 1966-1972

  This series consists of Becker's typed, 3 x 5 notecards detailing his cultural anthropological observations along with some newspaper clippings. There are also notes about mental illness, history of disease, origins of social evils, the purpose of culture, and abstract concepts of sociology.

• Series VI: Annotated Books, 1915-1968

  This series consists primarily of books that contain annotations by Becker.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in six series.

• Series I: Correspondence, 1966-1974
• Series II: Published Materials, 1962-1977
• Series III: Academic Materials, 1958-1973
• Series IV: Personal Materials, 1958-1973
• Series V: Research Notecards (5 Notecard Boxes), 1966-1972
• Series VI: Annotated Books, 1915-1968

Using the Collection

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 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); Name of Collection; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Selected Related Material-- at Columbia

Otto Rank Papers, Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Accrual

No additions are expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

M2003-2004-443: Source of acquisition--Marie H. Becker. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--2004.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed by Marilyn Chin (Queens College, 2011).

Finding aid written by Marilyn Chin (Queens College, 2011) February 2011.

Collection is processed to folder level.

Revision Description

2011-05-27 File created.

2011-06-02 XML document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi

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

Biographical / Historical

Ernest Becker was born in Springfield, MA in 1924. He served in World War II and shortly afterwards, attended Syracuse University in New York. In his early 30s, he pursued a graduate degree in cultural anthropology at his alma mater. He received his Ph.D. in 1960, and soon after, became a professor at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC, Canada. His main interest was in philosophical anthropology-relating to the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach to the study of human beings.

Becker was the author of several books. His topics included the science of man, mental illness, and the fear of death, Two months after his passing, he won the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction for his book, The Denial of Death.

He was married to Marie H. Becker. In late 1972, he was diagnosed with colon cancer and died in March 1974 at the age of 49.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Name
Becker, Ernest	CLIO Catalog	ArchiveGRID