C.L.R. James Institute records, 1932-2003, bulk 1983-1999

Summary Information

Abstract

The C.L.R. James Institute was founded by Jim Murray to document the writing and influence of James and his circle

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in five series.

• Series 1: Cultural Correspondence
• Series II: C.L.R. James Institute
• Series III Audio Visual Material:
• Subseries III.1: Video Tapes
• Subseries III.2: Audio Cassettes
• Subseries III.3: CDs
• Series IV: Digital Files
• Subseries IV.1: Laptops
• Subseries IV.2: Hard Drives
• Subseries IV.3: Floppies 5.25"
• Subseries IV.4: Floppies 3.5"
• Subseries IV.5: Floppy Disks 8"
• Subseries IV.6: Zip Disks
• Series V: Printed Material

Description

Scope and Content

Jim Murray was C.L.R. James' assistant in early 1983; in 1984 Murray founded the C.L.R. James Institute in New York City. Murray also edited Cultural Correspondence with Paul Buhle. This series contains correspondence with other C.L.R. James scholars and researchers; with Paul Buhle regarding Cultural Correspondence; with Anna Grimshaw regarding various projects; and over tussles regarding rights to publish James' material or the validity and authority of scholarship. Also here are manuscripts, by others, that Murray edited or critiqued, and files on projects by various students who worked for or interned at the Institute.

The hard drive and floppy discs in this series likely contain data for the numerical cataloging system devised by the institute; this system has not been maintained in the arrangement of the material in these papers.

• Series 1: Cultural Correspondence

  Cultural Correspondence was a radical journal dealing with popular culture founded by Paul Buhle in 1975

• Series II: C.L.R. James Institute

  The C.L.R. James Institute was founded in 1984 by Jim Murray with the full authorization of C.L.R. James. It was a project of The C.L.R. James Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation based in New York City.

  The files are incomplete and random. They contain correspondence, copies of articles and essays, proofs of books and articles, notes, reports, print-outs, printed ephemera, etc

  There is an extensive audio and digital component to the archives

• Series III Audio Visual Material:

• Series IV: Digital Files

• Series V: Printed Material

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.

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.

The audio and digital material cannot currenty be used in The Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); The C.L.R. James Institute Records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Selected Related Material at Columbia

C.L.R. James Papers Rare Book & Manuscript Library

Margaret Busby Papers, 1978-1989 Columbia University Rare Book & Manuscript Library

Anna Grimshaw Papers, 1939-2004 Columbia University Rare Book & Manuscript Library

Darcus Howe Papers, 1965-2008 Columbia University Rare Book & Manuscript Library

Constance Webb Papers, 1918-2005 Columbia University Rare Book & Manuscript Library

Accrual

No accruals are expected

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

Custodial History

The Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University purchased the C.L.R. James Records in May 2009.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

accn number: Source of acquisition--[source of acquisition]. Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--date.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed August 2013 Patrick Lawlor

Finding Aid written August 2013 Patrick Lawlor

Revision Description

2013-08-27 xml document instance created by Patrick Lawlor

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.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Historical Note

The C.L.R. James Institute was founded in 1984 with the full authorization of C.L.R. James. It was a project of The C.L.R. James Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation based in New York City, and Jim Murray. The Institute was an archive and resource center dedicated to documenting C.L.R. James, the people, circles, and movements with which he was associated, and subjects of relevance to James Studies. The Institute had a mission and underlying philosophy that encompasses much more than James. In addition to the Research and Scholarship functions that resemble the Special Collections division of a research library, the Institute was a community library that provided space for a wide range of gatherings. These include roundtable discussions, media events, book parties, literary readings, etc., which brought together people from many walks of life. Another function of the Institute was professional networking and counseling.

Cultural Correspondence was a radical journal dealing with popular culture founded by Paul Buhle in 1975.