Bella Abzug papers, 1937-1996, bulk 1970-1986

Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#0005
Bib ID:
4078361 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Abzug, Bella S., 1920-1998
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
605 linear feet (185 volumes, 1117 boxes, 1 oversize folder, 2 tube boxes)
Language(s):
English .
Access:
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.

The cataloged correspondence in Series I of this collection is located on-site.

The following boxes are located off-site: 1-1116. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Casework files and selected correspondence and administrative files closed; campaign materials, press releases and newspaper clippings from the 1981 addition require Donor's permission to see.

Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized. Email rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Description

Scope and Content

Congressional papers consisting of correspondence memoranda, speeches, reports, photographs and printed materials relating to her terms in Congress. The collection contains general correspondence and administrative files, as well as extensive subject files on a wide variety of topics with which Abzug was involved while in Congress. Also included are Legislative files, being the chronological files of background material for legislation considered on the House floor, and printed versions of legislation by Abzug and others. The Casework Files, relating to Abzug's advocacy on behalf of constituents involved in civil rights, housing, military, employment and related cases, are closed. Among the major correspondents are Carl Albert, Abraham D. Beame, Hugh L. Carey, Gerald R. Ford, Edward I. Koch, John V. Lindsay, Nelson A. Rockefeller, and Gloria Steinem. Materials added in 1981 include: draft transcripts of an oral history, appointment books, speeches and subject files (particularly on privacy and freedom of information) all interfiled in the collection and campaign materials press releases and newspaper clippings.

Arrangement

Organized in 17 series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

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.

The cataloged correspondence in Series I of this collection is located on-site.

The following boxes are located off-site: 1-1116. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Casework files and selected correspondence and administrative files closed; campaign materials, press releases and newspaper clippings from the 1981 addition require Donor's permission to see.

Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized. Email rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

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.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Bella Abzug papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Materials

Rochelle Lefkowitz Papers. Columbia University Libraries.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Papers: Source of acquisition--Abzug, Bella. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1976.

Addition: Source of acquisition--Abzug, Bella. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1981.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers Processed, 05/02/79 mbb

Addition Processed, 08/24/81 mbb

Processed by Mary Boone Bowling, 1979. Revised, 1981

Ead file created from PDF, 09/06/2011 ptl

Series XVI: Audio Visual Material was reprocessed for AMI digitization by YH, February 2020.

Revision Description

2009-07-18 File created.

2018-07-19 Added box numbers for cataloged correspondence in Series I KWS

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

2020-02-25 AV updated for AMI digitization.

2020-12-01 Links to digitized AV added. kws

Biographical sketch

Lawyer and Congresswoman from New York City's 19th and 20th Congressional Districts, 1971-1976. (Columbia LL.B.,1945).

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Name
Koch, Ed, 1924-2013 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Lindsay, John V. (John Vliet) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Rockefeller, Nelson A. (Nelson Aldrich), 1908-1979 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
United States. Congress. House CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID