William O. Trapp papers, 1940s-1950s

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in one series.

• Series I. William O. Trapp papers, 1940s-1950s

Description

Summary

This collection consists of William Trapp's lectures and class materials for his Government and Writing courses taught at the School of General Studies in the 1940s and 1950s.

• Series I. William O. Trapp papers, 1940s-1950s

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. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

There are no restrictions on this collection.

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 O. Trapp papers; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.

Related Materials

For more information, please consult the Graduate School of Journalism records (UA#0065), the Pulitzer Prize administration records (UA#0188), and the School of General Studies records (UA#0123).

Accruals

No additions are expected.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Joanna Rios. Finding aid ware written by Joanna Rios in October 2019.

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 Note

William O. Trapp was as a newspaper journalist from 1914 to 1938. He was a political and legislative correspondent for the New York Evening World and later the World Telegram. In 1929 Trapp directed a campaign which won for the Evening World a Pulitzer prize for exposing ambulance-chasing lawyers. At age 51, he returned to school and received a master's degree (1941) and doctorate (1943) from Cornell University. After receiving his degrees, Trapp started teaching at Columbia in the School of Journalism before also joining the School of General Studies (1950), where he supervised the SGS's newspaper, News in General. He served on the Pulitzer Prize Board and remained at Columbia until his retirement at the age of 64 in 1954.