Papers and a variety of ephemera spanning 60 years will be on view in the library’s Chang Octagon Exhibition Room located on the 6th Floor East of Butler Library.
Robert K. Merton (1910-2003), the esteemed Columbia sociologist, and one of the trailblazers in the field of the social sciences in America, was best known for founding the sociology of science and for his theoretical work analyzing social structures, particularly the intended and unintended consequences of social action, Merton became the first sociologist ever to win the National Medal of Science in 1994.
The Merton collection chronicles Merton's longstanding tenure with the Sociology Department and contains primary source material documenting Merton's significant contributions to 20th century sociological theory through correspondence with key sociologists, unpublished studies, lectures, syllabi and research notes. The papers can be accessed via Columbia's Rare Book & Manuscript Library: http://library.columbia.edu/indiv/rbml.html
For more information about this and other programs and events at the libraries contact cul-events@columbia.edu or visit: http://alumni-friends.library.columbia.edu