Paul A. Schilpp (1897-1993) Papers

The Paul A. Schilpp Papers fill one box, spanning the years 1935 to 1993, and providing an overview of Schilpp's life and career. The bulk of the materials consist of newspaper clippings, press releases, and articles and reprints of journal publications as well as a small amount of biographical material and correspondence.

Biographical materials span the years 1935 to 1993 and include biographical sketches, dedications, alumni information sheets, undated CVs, and Schilpp's obituary from the New York Times.

The correspondence file contains a small number of letters and memos relating primarily to his professional life, dating between 1962 and 1986.

The magazine and newspaper clippings included are comprehensive, dating from 1936 to 1980. They cover both Schilpp's professional and personal life, with articles dealing with the publication of the Library of Living Philosophers series, his extensive academic travels, as well as his second marriage and the adoption of his son. Most of the individual clippings were photocopied for preservation and ease of use during the processing of this collection.

Press releases are also extensive, spanning the period between 1938 and 1969. They are primarily Northwestern University press releases, but also include a number of later releases from Southern Illinois University as well as one pertaining to the change in publisher for his Living Philosopher series.

Publications include reprints of Schilpp's articles, dating between 1939 and 1961, many of them addressing the role of the philosopher in the modern, atomic age. One folder contains book reviews written by Schilpp dating from 1956 to 1960; another holds scholarly reviews of various volumes of the Library of Living Philosophers series, dating from 1940 to 1950, and pamphlets about individual volumes of his Living Philosophers series. Three radio transcripts document Schilpp's participation in Northwestern University's Reviewing Stand radio shows. Schilpp's speeches on the topic of the philosophy of education are represented by a typescript (1959), a reprint of an excerpt from the NU Alumni News (1963), and an undated mimeograph. Announcements relating to the Library of Living Philosophers date between 1939 and 1961.

A grant application dated 1940 sought more funds to continue the Library of Living Philosophers series.