Subject file, works submitted or published, and correspondence.

The collection consists mainly of correspondence (both letters written to Jackson and his replies); manuscripts of a few books and articles; notes and research materials; royalty statements; clippings of his book review columns; and some photographs. They cover the period 1931-1955 but date mainly from 1949. Jackson apparently shared the failing of many newspaper men, in not saving papers. What remains of the earlier period are chiefly the clippings and letters from famous authors. Correspondents include: Melvin Belli, Alistair Cook, Edith M. Coulter, George Creel, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, James D. Hart, James Laughlin, Cornelia Otis Skinner, Upton Sinclair, Wallace Stegner, Carl Van Doran, Carl I. Wheat, Erskin Caldwell, Earl Stanley Gardner, Owen Lattimore, Carey McWilliams, H.L. Mencken, Wright Morris, Irving Stone, Dalton Trumbo, Robert Penn Warren, and Edward Weston.

The collection includes multiple typescripts of two journals (1866-1867), correspondence (1924-1953), book manuscripts, news clippings (1929-1966), and mementos from Jackson's round-the-world trip for the World Transportation Commission (1894-1896). The photographs and art work, which comprise the bulk of the collection, include 1082 individual items. Of the 1082, approximately 1003 photographs and 31 pieces of art can be clearly attributed to William Henry Jackson. The photographic collection is rich in prints and spans every phase of his long and prolific career.