The materials that comprise the Historical Biographical Files have been collected and added to from a variety of sources over the years by current and previous staff. The files consist of materials related to people who have a connection to the University whether as student, alumni, administrator, faculty, staff, guest lecturer, or honorary degree recipient. Materials generally consist of newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, programs, ephemera, printed matter, lists, reports, and pamphlets.

The collection documents the scholarship and writing of John Eugene Unterecker, a poet, biographer of the poet Hart Crane, and professor of English. The majority of the collection is composed of correspondence and manuscripts. Materials date from 1961 to 1987.

Shirley Hazzard (1931-2016) was a novelist, short-story writer, and essayist. She also wrote two non-fiction books about the United Nations. Hazzard was born in Australia, but left the country in 1951, living in New York City and Capri, Italy. The papers include address books, appointment books, audiovisual materials, books, clippings, correspondence, diaries, manuscripts, notebooks, notes, photographs, printed materials, and research files.