Subject Files, 1993 - 2009

The Henry S. Bienen Papers span the years 1956-2009, comprise 35 boxes, and document his experiences teaching and being an administrator at Princeton and Northwestern, as well as his work on various boards and committees. The papers include biographical information, subject files, correspondence, writings and publications, newsclippings, and various awards and certificates.

The first sub-series contains Biographical Materials relating to Bienen, and includes a number of curriculum vitas dating 1965-1999, as well as graduate school acceptance letters, correspondence, and a variety of miscellaneous items. The next sub-series, and the largest one, is composed of Subject Files kept by Bienen. These files have been kept largely in original order, although some additions have been made to it from other portions of the papers. This sub-series contains materials dating from 1993-2009, which is primarily the time during which Bienen was the president of Northwestern. Notable materials in Bienen's subject files include, among other things, items relating to his experience on the Board of Directors for the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as the Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs. There are also numerous files relating to Bienen's work on various boards, committees, and foundations. Examples of these include the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Gates Foundation, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Matthews International, Shedd Aquarium, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and others. Also in the sub-series are files for courses taught by Bienen at Northwestern in management and political science, as well as files containing information on his research interests. Records of personal gifts made by the Bienens to Northwestern and various departments and groups within the university, as well as to other agencies, can also be found here. Lastly, a printed-out version of the website set up in 2008 commemorating Bienen's presidency at Northwestern can be found here. Of particular note is a menu from a dinner hosted at the Bienens' residence which included John Malkovich as a guest. This sub-series is arranged alphabetically by subject.

The next sub-series contains Correspondence ranging from 1960 to 2009. There are a number of high profile names included in this list of correspondence. Letters from numerous political figures are included, such as Tony Blair, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Richard M. Daley, and Barack Obama. There are also letters from celebrities, which include Charlton Heston, Princess Diana, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, and J.K. Rowling. Letters found here are photocopies, and are typically general greetings or responses to Bienen's request for the addressee to speak at commencement or receive an honorary diploma. This sub-series is arranged alphabetically by name.

Princeton Teaching and Research Files, the next sub-series, extends from 1967 to 2002. These files contain materials for courses taught by Bienen while he was at Princeton. The majority of items date from the late 1960s through 1994, when Bienen left Princeton to become the president of Northwestern. Also included here are notes files, which contain information on various topics researched by Bienen during his career at Princeton. The topics of these research files focus primarily on African politics, foreign policy, military rule in Africa, and the like. Bienen used these files for courses he taught as well as for publications. This sub-series is arranged alphabetically by subject.

The next two sub-series, Publications and Talks, contain published materials by Bienen, as well as notes and scripts for talks given by him. The publications sub-series includes articles ranging from 1967-2003, and is primarily comprised of articles and book reviews on political development in Africa. The talks section includes materials from speaking engagements done by Bienen between 1960 and 2009. The majority of talks included here are from Bienen's tenure as president of Northwestern, and are for dinners, alumni events, and memorial services. These sub-series are arranged chronologically.

The Awards & Certificates sub-series mostly contains congratulatory certificates from the presidents of various universities addressed to Henry Bienen upon his being named the president of Northwestern. Of particular note here is a certificate marking Bienen's honorary induction into DERU, an honorary organization at Northwestern. This sub-series is arranged chronologically.

The final sub-series contains Newsclippings, ranging in date from 1959-2009. This section is arranged chronologically within three topical groupings: Athletics, General, and Princess Diana. The general section is the largest, and contains clippings compiled by Bienen on a variety of topics. In 1996, soon after Bienen assumed the presidency, Northwestern's football team played in the Rose Bowl. That same year, Princess Diana visited Northwestern. Newsclippings for these two events have been separated from the general section.