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MS Am 1092.9-1092.12

James, William, 1842-1910. William James papers: Guide.

Houghton Library, Harvard College Library

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Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138

© 2002 The President and Fellows of Harvard College

Last updated 2010 February 3

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
Note: A small portion of this collection is shelved offsite at the Harvard Depository. See access restrictions below for additional information.
Location: b, MS, Harvard Depository
Call No.: MS Am 1092.9
Call No.: MS Am 1092.10
Call No.: MS Am 1092.11
Call No.: MS Am 1092.12
Creator: James, William, 1842-1910.
Title: William James papers,
Date(s): 1803-1941 (inclusive) 1862-1910 (bulk).
Quantity: 42 boxes, 37 volumes, 1 scroll box, and 5 cartons (57 linear ft.)
Abstract: Papers of American philosopher and psychologist William James.

Processing Information:

Processed by: Patrick K. Miehe.
With the exception of the notebooks and bound compositions, which have been grouped separately and arranged in chronological order, the compositions of William James have been separated according to subject matter (papers on psychology, philosophy, religion, etc.) and arranged in alphabetical order by title. Notations (e.g. N5 or B3) to the far right of the individual entries refer to call numbers given the compositions prior to the completion of this catalogue.

Acquisition Information:

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Henry James III.

Access Restrictions:

There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.
A small portion of this collection is not housed at the Houghton Library but is shelved offsite at the Harvard Depository. Retrieval requires advance notice. Readers should check with Houghton Public Services staff to determine what material is offsite and retrieval policies and times. This only includes: bMS Am 1092.9 (4604) 39 empty cases formerly housing James papers.

Use Restrictions:

Images linked to this finding aid are intended for public access and educational use. This material is owned and/or held by the Houghton Library, and is provided solely for the purpose of teaching or individual research. Any other use, including commercial reuse, mounting on other systems, or other forms of redistribution requires the permission of the curator.

Preferred Citation for Publication:

William James Papers (MS Am 1092.9-1092.12). Houghton Library, Harvard University.

Historical Note

James was an American philosopher and psychologist.

Arrangement

Scope and Content

Contains personal and professional correspondence of William James, mostly letters written by him, including over 1300 to his wife Alice and over 400 to his brother Henry; and compositions including manuscripts, drafts, and notes on psychology, philosophy, religion, and Herbert Spencer; as well as addresses, lectures, articles, diaries, 1865-1910 (with gaps), address books and notebooks with reading lists, sketches, and notes James took as a student.
Collection also contains correspondence of James's parents and wife, early James family papers, daguerreotypes and photographs of the James family, an account book, scrapbooks, clippings, and miscellaneous material. Also includes manuscripts by others including student notes from his classes, and articles on his work; letters to Ralph Barton Perry from James's students and correspondence concerning Perry's The Thought and Character of William James; correspondence of Henry James III in his search for William James letters; and printed material about William James.
Also includes letters from Mary Temple to John Chipman Gray.

Separated Material

Some materials formerly housed in bound volumes. When collection was reorganized the materials were removed and the empty volumes saved as: bMS Am 1092.9 (4604). They were later sent to the Harvard Depository. Consult Houghton Reading Room staff for access.

Container List