Gerald Sykes papers, 1921-1984
Summary Information
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#1221
- Bib ID:
- 4079758 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Sykes, Gerald, 1903-
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 42 linear feet (57 boxes 155 volumes 1 oversize folder)
- 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.
-
Books from the library of Gerald Sykes inscribed to him and with his notes are shelved on-site.
The following boxes are located off-site: 2-56. 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.
This collection has no restrictions.
Description
Scope and Content
Correspondence, manuscripts, notes, notebooks, documents, photographs, course-related materials, and printed materials. The manuscripts include typescripts of Sykes' published and unpublished novels, monographs, plays, short stories, and articles. Among these are The Perennial Avant Garde, The Cool Millennium, and The Hidden Remnant. Sykes' notes and notebooks span the period from the early 1930s to 1980, and include preliminary ideas and sketches for his books, as well as autobiographical material. A small number of documents concern Sykes' wartime work in the U.S. Government Office of War Information. Course-related material including writings and correspondence of students taught by Sykes between 1962 and 1975 at the New School and as an adjunct professor at Columbia University. Printed materials consist of numerous reviews of Sykes' books, in addition to offprints and articles by Sykes. Included as well are printed materials about or connected with Sykes, offprints of articles inscribed to him, and many volumes from his library. The substantial correspondence series includes personal letters and correspondence with agents and publishers relating to his books. Correspondents include Harold Clurman, Aaron Copland, Lawrence Durrell, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Francis Steegmuller, as well as a number of Sykes' students. There is extensive correspondence between Sykes and the artist John Hartell from 1927 to 1983.
-
Series VIII: Course Related Materials
Within each year, folders arranged by institution and course
Arrangement
Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged. Cataloged correspondence: Box 1; Arranged correspondence: Boxes 2-11; Manuscripts: Boxes 12-36; Notes & notebooks: Boxes 37-42; Documents & photographs: Box 43; Teaching materials: Boxes 44-47; Subject files: Boxes 48-50; Printed materials Boxes 51-56; & Oversize folder: Photograph.
- Series I: Cataloged Correspondence
- Series II: Cataloged Photographs
- Series III: Arranged Correspondence
- Series IV: Arranged Manuscripts
- Series V: Notes and Notebooks
- Series VI: Appointment and Address Books
- Series VII: Documents and Photographs
- Series VIII: Course Related Materials
- Series IX: Subject Files
- Series X: Printed Materials
- Series XI: Audio Tapes
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing 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.
Books from the library of Gerald Sykes inscribed to him and with his notes are shelved on-site.
The following boxes are located off-site: 2-56. 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.
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); Gerald Sykes papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Ownership and Custodial History
Gift of Mrs Claire Metcalfe Sykes, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Papers: Source of acquisition--Sykes, Mrs Gerald. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1985. Accession number--M-1985.
Papers: Source of acquisition--Sykes, Mrs Gerald. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1988. Accession number--M-1988.
Papers: Source of acquisition--Sykes, Mrs Gerald. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1991. Accession number--M-1991.
Papers: Source of acquisition--Sykes, Claire M. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--09/28/92. Accession number--M-92-09-28.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Papers Processed 1985.
Papers Processed 1988.
Papers Processed HR 01/24/92.
Papers Processed HR 02/24/93.
Processed by Timothy Cross 1985; LR 1985; Henry Rowen 1/92; HR 2/93; HR 7/01.
Revision Description
2010-03-29 Legacy finding aid created from Pro Cite.
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
Biographical / Historical
Author, editor, critic, and professor of sociology at the New School for Social Research, who died in 1984.
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.