The Donald Finkel Papers include his extensive research materials, journals, notes, and heavily revised manuscripts. A large collection of editorial matter toward all of his books and a small, yet revealing professional correspondence with editors and literary colleagues completes the Finkel Papers.

The Katherine Arnstein Heinemann Papers consist mainly of autograph and typescript drafts of her poems, as well as manuscript and editorial material relating to her collections Brandings (1988) and Some Inhuman Familiars (1983). A small group of correspondence is also present.

The Arthur C. Hoskins collection contains items directly related to Hoskins and his family, including correspondence and records of expenses, and also items related to Missouri Historical Society activities. Certain items, which are connected to material previously collected by Hoskins, but whose source is unknown, have been placed in the collection because of their convenient connection.

The Jarvis Thurston Papers consist primarily of correspondence relating to Washington University's Department of English and its visiting writers program. The most significant part of the Thurston collection is the correspondence from James T. Farrell to Thurston and Van Duyn. These letters are of a more personal nature and often discuss literary matters such as Van Duyn's work. A small group of manuscripts, notably two drafts of a Thurston short story, "The Cross," is also included.