C.L.R. James Institute records, 1932-2003, bulk 1983-1999
Summary Information
Abstract
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#1469
- Bib ID:
- 6911371 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- C.L.R. James Institute; Cultural Correspondence (Organization)
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 20 linear feet (45 boxes)
- Language(s):
- English .
- 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.
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.
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Series 1: Cultural Correspondence
Cultural Correspondence was a radical journal dealing with popular culture founded by Paul Buhle in 1975
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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
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in five series.
- Series 1: Cultural Correspondence
- Series II: C.L.R. James Institute
- Series III Audio Visual Material:
- 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
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 is located off-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Reproductions 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.
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.
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.
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