The papers of May Robson (1858-1942) span the years 1849-1955, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1885-1950. The collection consists of correspondence, books, playscripts, and other material autographed by prominent actors, authors, and producers of stage and screen from the late nineteenth-century until Robson’s death; scrapbooks containing play reviews, letters, telegrams, photographs, and other material; files of playbills, theatrical programs, and other printed matter; and miscellaneous items relating mainly to Robson’s career in the theater and on film. Included are family correspondence, scripts used by Robson, poems by her, and other biographical documentation.

The 2024 Addition is primarily comprised of correspondence, photographs, and printed matter from Robson and her son, Edward Gore, that was saved by Robson's godchild, Marie Maxwell Zanes. Several letters Robson and her son wrote to each other in the late 1880s and 1890s make up the earliest correspondence. The largest portion consists of letters Robson wrote to Zanes from 1929 to 1942. She refers to Zanes as "Poppie" and signs her letters "Aunt Poppie." Robson's letters document her relationships with Zanes and other family members and mention her work in films and radio as well as her failing eyesight. Letters to "Poppie" from Edward Gore include details about Robson's failing health and death in 1942. Photographs include portraits of Robson spanning more than fifty years, from young stage actress to older character actress in motion pictures. The printed matter includes press clippings from the 1930s and 1940s featuring Robson and some of the films she appeared in during that period.