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The materials that comprise the Historical Biographical Files have been collected and added to from a variety of sources over the years by current and previous staff. The files consist of materials related to people who have a connection to the University whether as student, alumni, administrator, faculty, staff, guest lecturer, or honorary degree recipient. Materials generally consist of newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, programs, ephemera, printed matter, lists, reports, and pamphlets.

A collection of over 340 pieces of original material related to the demonstrations at Columbia University and their aftermath, focused on activities led by the Columbia Students for a Democratic Society (Columbia SDS) to protest the Vietnam War, end the construction of a Columbia gymnasium on public park land in Harlem, and include University students in institutional decision-making. Most items date to the spring and fall of 1968, including newspaper and magazine clippings, flyers for protests and demonstrations, letters, leaflets, journal and newspaper issues, essays, notices, press releases, memos, meeting minutes, proposals, and many other items, all collected and archived by Stuart Gedal, a student at Columbia (1966-1969) and prominent SDS member. The collection also includes numerous SDS related material such as founding documents (Port Huron Statement), conference materials, and educational pamphlets. There is also some content concerning the Weatherman Underground Organization, an off-shoot of SDS, including a rare first printing of the booklet Prairie Fire.