Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University, leader of the New York Society for Ethical Culture. (Columbia University A.B., 1918; Ph.D., 1926).

Correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, notes, reports, memoranda, documents, and printed materials relating to Friess' dual career. The correspondence files include letters from professors of religion and philosophy at Columbia and other universities; from his students; letters dealing with Columbia academic matters; letters with related reports and memoranda concerning his membership in the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and the American Council of Learned Societies Committee on the History of Religion, the latter concerned with lectures on Chinese religions by Wing-Tsit Chan in 1950 and on Islam by Louis Massignon in 1952. The academic writings of Friess consist of manuscripts, typescripts, manuscript notes, course materials, and other items relating to his teaching, research, publishing and other activities and associations at Columbia. Religion and philosophy are the chief topics, particularly German philosophy. There are numerous manuscripts submitted to Friess by colleagues and students, including three lengthy ones by Dr. Arno Carl Coutinho. The Society for Ethical Culture and American Ethical Union files contain letters, reports, memoranda, and other documents relating to the general programs and activities of these organizations. Particular emphasis is given to the training of and continuing education for Ethical Culture leaders. These files also contain manuscripts, typescripts, manuscript notes for Friess' addresses, wedding ceremonies, funeral services, and his publications relating to the Ethical Culture movement. Included are his extensive files of manuscript notes and typescripts for his uncompleted biography of Felix Adler, the founder of Ethical Culture, as well as materials on the history of Ethical Culture schools, particularly the New York Society's Fieldstone School. Of the printed materials in this collection relating to the Ethical Culture movement, about one-half of the reprints, pamphlets, brochures, and other ephemera are by Friess. In addition there is a large group of books, journal issues, pamphlets, and reprints on religion, philosophy, political science, and social science, many in French and German. Some are by Friess, but the majority are by other authors, some inscribed to Friess. Also, the revised typescript drafts of Friess' biography of Adler, FELIX ADLER, MEMORIES AND STUDIES (N.Y., Columbia University Press, 1981) edited by Fannia Weingartner.