Barbara Herrnstein Smith papers (Ms.2010.039)

This collection is comprised of the papers of Barbara Herrnstein Smith, feminist literary critic, theorist, and Braxton Craven Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature and English at Duke University, from approximately 1973 to 2010. The collection documents Smith’s academic career and activism relating to equal rights for women. The collection includes correspondence, biographical information, administrative and career development papers, conferences and lecture materials, and research files.

Series I, Biographical, 1990-2003, includes monthly calendars, interviews of Smith, and portraits. Files are arranged alphabetically by record type.

Series II, Administrative and Career Development, 1978 -2002, documents Smith’s academic career. Materials include correspondence, daily schedules, newsletters, and notes regarding Smith’s positions at various universities including Duke, Princeton, and Stanford Universities and her involvement in professional organizations including the English Institute and the Modern Language Association. Files are arranged alphabetically by the organization.

Series III, Conferences, Lectures, and Related, 1987-1999, documents Smith’s professional participation at conferences, symposiums and visiting lectures. Materials include correspondence, lectures, travel itineraries and receipts. Files are arranged alphabetically by organization.

Series IV, Correspondence, 1973-1998, contains correspondence to, by and on behalf of Barbara Herrnstein Smith. Files are arranged alphabetically by last name of sender and then by topic where available. This is a general correspondence series that will require researchers to browse for specific topics and letter writers.

Series V, Course Materials, 1984-1994, includes course syllabi, assignments, reading lists, annotated readings and lectures for courses taught by Smith. Files are arranged alphabetically by course title.

Series VI, Research, 1987-1992 contains clippings, correspondence, articles and an unbound notebook. Topics include political correctness in higher education, English only movements and the death of B.F. Skinner.

Series VII, Writings and Related, 1973-2000, contains articles and book drafts, book reviews, publishing correspondence, publishing receipts and royalties, publicity materials for publications, and notes. Files are arranged alphabetically by publication title.

Series VIII, Restricted, 1981-2000, contains restricted files pulled from throughout the collection. Materials include student correspondence and personnel files regarding Smith's participation on search committes. Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series IX, Electronic records, 1997, contains ten audio cassettes arranged chronologically by information located on the carriers.