The collection consists mainly of correspondence and manuscripts from the first seven volumes of Minerva, edited considerably by Edward Shils. The correspondence is generally between Professor Shils, or assistant editors, and the contributing authors. This group of letters reveals the rather informal procedure used to obtain the articles. At times the letters present significant and scholarly insights into the status of higher education in mid-twentieth century. Also included in the collection are drafts of biographical sketches of the contributing authors, and drafts of the "Chronicle" and the "Reports and Documents" section of Minerva.