These papers, almost all correspondence, were received from the offices of The Public Interest. They do include earlier files kept by Kristol. However, since Kristol dictated almost all of his correspondence, the subjects concern not only the magazine, but all of his other activities and interests, as well as personal and family letters. Together they provide comprehensive and candid evidence of his career, other interests, and views.
Kristol generally spoke from notes, so very few speeches, drafts, and notes are present. Speeches that were published were from transcriptions edited by him. These areas were presumably the responsibility of other offices. The only production and financial records, and personnel files present are those sent to Kristol. Drafts and galley proofs of articles were separated and discarded with the permission of The Public Interest.
The series consist of: BACKGROUND INFORMATION, GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE, BASIC BOOKS INC., THE PUBLIC INTEREST, and ORGANIZATIONS.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION, 1946-1996, is arranged alphabetically by subject. It consists of biographical materials, calendars, clippings, photographs, reviews of Kristol's books; speaking engagements; and writings by Kristol, including articles, book reviews, unpublished writings, and notes.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1960-2001, documents Kristol's numerous activities, organizational contacts, and articles, as well as personal letters. Extensive correspondents include Daniel Bell, William Buckley, Jr., the Century Association [a venerable New York City club], the Council on Foreign Relations, the Hudson Institute, Jack Kemp, Ernest Lefever, Daniel P. Moynihan, R. Randolph Richardson, and the Smith Richardson Foundation. The files are arranged by General files, Individual files, Reader Correspondence, and Kristol's post-retirement correspondence, each arranged alphabetically and chronologically thereunder.
BASIC BOOKS INC., 1960-1987, consists mainly of correspondence between authors, editors, and the editorial board; as well as other activities relating to the company's book publishing. The series consists of General and Individual files, each arranged alphabetically and chronologically thereunder; and post-retirement consultant files, arranged chronologically.
THE PUBLIC INTEREST, 1964-1990, also consists mainly of correspondence between authors, editors, and the editorial board. Subjects include financial matters, magazine content, article selection, editorial policies and problems, and other subjects related to the magazine's publishing activities. There is extensive correspondence with editors Daniel Bell and Nathan Glazer, Freedom House, Warren Manshel, Daniel P. Moynihan, Robert Nisbet, and James Q. Wilson.
ORGANIZATIONS, 1970-1999, consists of correspondence, arranged alphabetically by organization or institution with which Kristol served as a board member or was otherwise associated. These include the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, American Friends of The Israel Center for Social and Economic Progress, Commission on Critical Choices for America, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Institute for Educational Affairs, National Endowment for the Humanities, New York University, Olin Foundation, President's Commission on White House Fellowships, and the University College at Buckingham Foundation, Inc.
