Scope and Contents
The collection consists of writings, correspondence, datebooks, notebooks, financial papers, photographs, artwork, rubber stamps, printed materials, audiovisual materials, and other papers by, to, or relating to David Rakoff. Writings include multiple drafts of Rakoff's essay collections Fraud, Don't Get Too Comfortable, and Half Empty.
Dates
- circa 1949-2020
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Box 16 (film reels): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Box 17 (computer disks): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies of electronic files may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Conditions Governing Use
The David Rakoff Papers is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from David Rakoff on the Edwin J. Beinecke Book Fund, 2012; and gift of Gina Rakoff, 2019, 2020.
Arrangement
Organized into eight series: I. Correspondence, 1949-2012. II. Writings, 1990s-2000s. III. Personal Papers, 1980s-2010s. IV. Printed Materials, 1990s-2008. V. Audiovisual Materials, 1980s. VI. Electronic Media, 2000s. VII. September 2019 Acquisition, 1976–2019. VIII. December 2020 Acquisition, 1968-2020.
Extent
18.85 Linear Feet (23 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
The collection consists of writings, correspondence, datebooks, notebooks, financial papers, photographs, artwork, rubber stamps, printed materials, audiovisual materials, and other papers by, to, or relating to David Rakoff. Writings include multiple drafts of Rakoff's essay collections Fraud, Don't Get Too Comfortable, and Half Empty.
David Rakoff (1964-2012)
David Rakoff was a Canadian writer based in New York City known for humorous non-fiction essays and as a contributor to the radio program This American Life.
Processing Information
Collections are processed to a variety of levels, depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived research value, the availability of staff, competing priorities, and whether or not further accruals are expected. The library attempts to provide a basic level of preservation and access for all collections as they are acquired, and does more extensive processing of higher priority collections as time and resources permit.
This collection received a basic level of processing, including rehousing and minimal organization.
Information included in the Description of Papers note and Collection Contents section is drawn from information supplied with the collection and from an initial survey of the contents. Folder titles appearing in the contents list below are often based on those provided by the creator or previous custodian. Titles have not been verified against the contents of the folders in all cases. Otherwise, folder titles are supplied by staff during initial processing.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
Former call number: UNCAT MSS 1281.
- Title
- Guide to the David Rakoff Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- by Beinecke staff, Brooke McManus
- Date
- October 2013. Revised: February 2022.
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.