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.
This collection has no restrictions.
The collection contains correspondence, memoranda, drafts, committee meeting reports, speeches, calendars, etc. of Grayson L. Kirk, former Columbia University President. Also included are books from his library. There are also materials deemed by the Office of the President staff as "personal," meaning not directly related to Columbia University. These included the records of the Jacob R. Schiff Charitable Trust and the New York World's Fair 1964-1965.
Collection is arranged in eight series.
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.
This collection has no restrictions.
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.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Grayson Kirk papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.
For the official records from Kirk's tenure as University President, please consult Central Files (UA#0001). Additional materials can be found in Historical Biographical Files (UA#0004) and Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs records (UA#0083).
No additions are expected.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Transfer from Secretary of University, 1986.
Source of acquisition--Office of the Secretary. Method of acquisition--Transfer; Date of acquisition--10/--/86. Accession number--M-86-10.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processed 10/27/88 HH
Addition (series II) integrated into collection 06/03/2011 by Carrie Hintz
Boxes 8-15 were added to the collection in February 2020. These materials were formerly part of the Records of the Office of the President Grayson L. Kirk, 1946-1968 (UA#0066).
2009-06-26 File created.
2011-06-03 Integrated an addition to the collection (Series II)
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
2020-02-25 Added the collection formerly known as the Records of the Office of the President Grayson L. Kirk, (UA#0066)
A Columbia University professor and provost, Grayson Kirk was appointed University President following Dwight D. Eisenhower's departure for the White House and officially installed on June 2, 1953.
Kirk's presidency was marked by City and State approval for the building of a gym in Morningside Park (1960), the active recruitment of black applicants at both Columbia College and Barnard College (1964), the founding of the School of Arts (1965) and the emergence of several student groups including the Students' Afro-American Society chapter (1964), Students for a Democratic Society (1965), and the Student Homophile League (1966).
Despite these accomplishments, Kirk's tenure as president was rife with conflict. Opposition to the war in Vietnam and dissatisfaction with Columbia's relationship to the Harlem community reached a head in April 1968. Students occupied five campus buildings in protest to the alleged racism inherent in the plans for the Morningside Gymnasium, Columbia's involvement with the Institute for Defense Analysis, military recruitment on campus, and bans on indoor demonstrations. Kirk was accused of mishandling the situation on campus (especially by calling in the NYC police to "bust" the occupied buildings) leading to calls for his resignation to which he finally complied in August 1968.
After leaving Columbia Kirk held positions on the Council of Foreign Relations and the Association of American Universities.
This series includes files relating to a number of campus projects and issues with which Kirk was involved. Most of the folders are topical, but there are alphabetical correspondence files that include correspondence not directly related to one of the topics with its own folder.
Box 1
Box 1
Box 1
Box 1
Box 1
Box 1
Box 1
Box 1
Box 1
Box 1
Box 1
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 2
Box 3
Box 3
Box 3
Box 3
Box 3
This series is primarily composed of letters received by Kirk on the occassion of his retirement from active duty at Columbia and his being named President Emeritus of the University. Many of the letters include carbon copies of Kirk's replies.
Box 7
This series contains books from Kirk's library which have been inscribed and signed by Columbia authors including Jacques Barzun, Lloyd Motz and James T. Shotwell.
Box 4
Box 5
Box 6
This series contains copies of Kirk's speeches, remarks and University memoranda. The 1950s folders may include annotated drafts. The 1960s speeches (or partial remarks) are found as quoted in University press releases. There is also a list of speeches and a calendar of speeches (by school year and by month). Materials are organized chronologically.
Box 13 Folder 1
Box 13 Folder 2
Box 13 Folder 3
(Kirk was Provost)
Box 13 Folder 4
(Outline only)
Box 13 Folder 5
Box 13 Folder 6
(Columbus, Ohio)
Box 13 Folder 7
Box 13 Folder 8
Box 13 Folder 9
Box 13 Folder 10
Box 13 Folder 11
Box 13 Folder 12
Box 13 Folder 13
Box 13 Folder 14
Box 13 Folder 15
Box 13 Folder 16
Box 13 Folder 17
(Texas A&M College, College Station, Texas)
Box 13 Folder 18
Box 13 Folder 19
Box 13 Folder 20
Box 13 Folder 21
Box 13 Folder 22
Box 13 Folder 23
Box 13 Folder 24
Box 13 Folder 25
(Dr. Carlton J.H. Hayes, medal recipient)
Box 13 Folder 26
Box 13 Folder 27
Box 13 Folder 28
Box 13 Folder 29
Box 13 Folder 30
Box 13 Folder 31
Box 13 Folder 32
(Final General Session of the 39th National Foreigh Trade Convention)
Box 13 Folder 33
Box 13 Folder 34
Box 15 Folder 20
Box 13 Folder 35
Box 13 Folder 36
Box 13 Folder 37
Box 13 Folder 38
Box 13 Folder 39
Box 13 Folder 40
Box 13 Folder 41
Box 13 Folder 42
Box 13 Folder 43
Box 13 Folder 44
Box 13 Folder 45
Box 13 Folder 46
Box 15 Folder 21
Box 13 Folder 47
Box 13 Folder 48
Box 13 Folder 49
Box 13 Folder 50
(Text of recorded message)
Box 13 Folder 51
Box 13 Folder 52
Box 13 Folder 53
Box 13 Folder 54
Box 13 Folder 55
Box 13 Folder 56
Box 13 Folder 57
Box 13 Folder 58
Box 13 Folder 59
Box 13 Folder 60
Box 13 Folder 61
Box 13 Folder 62
Box 13 Folder 63
Box 13 Folder 64
Box 13 Folder 65
Box 13 Folder 66
Box 13 Folder 67
Box 13 Folder 68
Box 13 Folder 69
Box 13 Folder 70
Box 13 Folder 71
Box 13 Folder 72
Box 13 Folder 73
Box 13 Folder 74
Box 13 Folder 75
Box 13 Folder 76
Box 13 Folder 77
Box 13 Folder 78
Box 13 Folder 79
Box 15 Folder 22
Box 13 Folder 80
Box 13 Folder 81
Box 13 Folder 82
Box 13 Folder 83
Box 13 Folder 84
Box 13 Folder 85
Box 14 Folder 1
Box 14 Folder 2
Box 14 Folder 3
Box 14 Folder 4
Box 14 Folder 5
Box 14 Folder 6
Box 14 Folder 7
Box 14 Folder 8
Box 14 Folder 9
Box 14 Folder 10
Box 14 Folder 11
Box 14 Folder 12
Box 14 Folder 13
Box 14 Folder 14
Box 14 Folder 15
Box 14 Folder 16
Box 14 Folder 17
Box 14 Folder 18
Box 14 Folder 19
Box 14 Folder 20
Box 14 Folder 21
Box 14 Folder 22
Box 14 Folder 23
(In honor of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis)
Box 14 Folder 24
Box 14 Folder 25
(Admiral Ben Moreell)
Box 14 Folder 26
(Cambridge, MA)
Box 14 Folder 27
Box 14 Folder 28
Box 14 Folder 29
Box 14 Folder 30
Box 14 Folder 31
Box 14 Folder 32
Box 14 Folder 33
Box 14 Folder 34
Box 14 Folder 35
Box 14 Folder 36
Box 14 Folder 37
Box 14 Folder 38
Box 14 Folder 39
Box 14 Folder 40
Box 14 Folder 41
Box 14 Folder 42
Box 14 Folder 43
Box 14 Folder 44
Box 14 Folder 45
(Includes text in French.)
Box 14 Folder 46
(Speech given at the inauguration of Mills College President Easton Rothwell. See also 1960 October 8.)
Box 14 Folder 47
Box 14 Folder 48
Box 14 Folder 49
Box 14 Folder 50
Box 11 Folder 1
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 2
(Speech given at the inauguration of Mills College President Easton Rothwell. See also 1959 October 8 speech.)
Box 11 Folder 3
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 4
(Partial text of remarks, includes event program.)
Box 11 Folder 5
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 6
(Partial text of remarks.)
Box 11 Folder 7
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 8
Box 11 Folder 9
(Partial text of remarks.)
Box 11 Folder 10
(Partial text of address.)
Box 11 Folder 11
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 12
Box 11 Folder 13
(Digest of Discussion and Action, Trustees Meeting)
Box 11 Folder 14-15
(Partial text of remarks.)
Box 11 Folder 16
(Partial text of remarks.)
Box 11 Folder 17
(Partial text of remarks.)
Box 11 Folder 18
Box 11 Folder 19
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 20
(Text of message taped for WKCR-FM, the student radio station)
Box 11 Folder 21
Box 11 Folder 22
Box 11 Folder 23
Box 11 Folder 24
(Partial text of remarks.)
Box 11 Folder 25
(Partial text of remarks.)
Box 11 Folder 26
(Partial text of remarks.)
Box 11 Folder 27
(Honorary Degree to Ryusaku Tsunoda)
Box 11 Folder 28
Box 11 Folder 29
(Partial text of remarks.)
Box 11 Folder 30
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 31
Box 11 Folder 32
Box 11 Folder 33
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 34
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 35
Box 11 Folder 36
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 37
Box 11 Folder 38
Box 11 Folder 39
(Uris was the recipient of the Brotherhood Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews)
Box 11 Folder 40
(Partial text in a press release.)
Box 11 Folder 41
Box 11 Folder 42
Box 11 Folder 43
Box 11 Folder 44
Box 11 Folder 45
Box 11 Folder 46
Box 11 Folder 47
("The Quest for Social Values in Our Time")
Box 11 Folder 48
Box 11 Folder 49
Box 11 Folder 50
Box 11 Folder 51
Box 11 Folder 52
Box 11 Folder 53
Box 11 Folder 54
Box 11 Folder 55
Box 14 Folder 51
Box 14 Folder 52
Box 14 Folder 53
Box 14 Folder 54
Box 14 Folder 55
Box 14 Folder 56
Box 14 Folder 57
Box 14 Folder 58
Box 14 Folder 59
Box 14 Folder 60
Box 14 Folder 61
Box 14 Folder 62
Box 14 Folder 63
Box 14 Folder 64
Box 14 Folder 65
Box 14 Folder 66
Box 14 Folder 67
Box 11 Folder 56
This series contains drafts of Kirk's letters, statements, remarks, addresses, etc. Most are handwritten on yellow legal pads. Some include the annotated typescript drafts. For each set, there is an index which includes the document's date, addressee, and subject.
Box 15 Folder 1
Box 15 Folder 2-3
Box 15 Folder 4
Box 15 Folder 5-6
Box 15 Folder 7
Box 15 Folder 8-9
Box 15 Folder 10
Box 15 Folder 11
Box 15 Folder 12
Box 15 Folder 13-14
Box 15 Folder 15
Box 15 Folder 16
Box 15 Folder 17
Box 15 Folder 18
Box 15 Folder 19
(A collection of drafts with no index. There is a note explaining that these were discovered "later" (after the others were organized?) and that these "are not clearly idenfitied.")
The series contains the records of the Fund Committee of the Jacob R. Schiff Charitable Trust. Files are organized alphabetically but are incomplete (A-National only). As Columbia University President, Kirk served on the Fund Committee with the Presidents of City College and the Jewish Publication Society of America.
Box 8 Folder 1-3
Box 8 Folder 4-5
Box 8 Folder 6-8
Box 8 Folder 9-12
Box 8 Folder 13
Box 8 Folder 14
Box 9 Folder 1
Box 9 Folder 2
(President of City College)
Box 9 Folder 3
Box 9 Folder 4
Box 9 Folder 5-6
Box 9 Folder 7
Box 9 Folder 8
Box 9 Folder 9
Box 9 Folder 10
Box 9 Folder 11-12
Box 9 Folder 13-14
This series contains materials related to the New York World's Fair 1964-1965: meeting minutes, press releases, promotional brochures, newsletters, invitations, newspaper clippings, etc. There are groundbreaking programs or booklets for many of the pavilions. Materials are organized chronologically. Kirk served on the Board of Directors.
Box 12 Folder 1
1961 November-1963 January
Box 12 Folder 2
1963 January-February
Box 12 Folder 3
1963 March-May
Box 12 Folder 4
1963 May-August
Box 12 Folder 5
1963 August-October
Box 12 Folder 6
1963 October
Box 12 Folder 7
1963 November-1964 February
Box 12 Folder 8
1964 February-April
Box 12 Folder 9
1964 April-October
This series contains Kirk's desk calendars and those of his Administrative Assistants, Adrienne Swift (1950-1957) and Helen S. King (1958-1965). There is no calendar for "Dr. Kirk" for 1958, although there is one for "Mrs. King." This series also includes an annotated University directory and a personal telephone book.
Box 10
(There is no desk calendar for 1958.)
Box 10
(Administrative Assistant to the President)
Box 10
(Administrative Assistant to the President)
Box 10
(Annotated)
Box 10