Collections : [Rare Book & Manuscript Library]

Correspondence, memoranda and reports on the controversy surrounding the forced retirement of Benjamin Beckhart. The collection consists of the files of three Columbia professors involved in the case: Harold Barger, professor of economics and Robert K. Webb, professor of history, who were chairmen of the Columbia chapter of the American Association of University Professors, 1959-1964 and 1964-1965, respectively; and Arthur Robert Burns, professor of economics, a member of the Committee on Conference of the University Council, which advised the President on matters of tenure, dismissal and retirement. Included is the correspondence of Beckhart, Barger, Burns, Webb, President Grayson Kirk, Courtney C. Brown, Dean of the School of Business, Harry M. Jones, professor of law, other Columbia faculty and officials of the national office of the AAUP. The reports and memoranda are chiefly those issued by the Committee on Conference.

The general correspondence in the collection deals with Barger's dissertation and writings in the area of economics. Of note are letters from John Maynard Keynes, Dennis Robertson, and Wesley C. Mitchell; correspondence with chairman and other departmental faculty members concerning research and other departmental activities; and correspondence with foreign scholars concerning research.