Army officer, federal agency head, university president, public school superintendent. Correspondence, speeches, writings, military and civilian government documents, topical files, reports, printed matter, monographs, and miscellaneous material documenting Becton's army career, leadership of federal agencies, college presidency, and superintendency of a large, urban public school system.

Biologist, ecologist, and environmental activist. Correspondence, speeches, writings, research files, subject files, organizational files, printed matter, photographs in both physical and digital formats, and other papers documenting Commoner's career as a biologist, ecologist, and environmental activist. Subjects include the physiochemical basis of biological processes, moral obligations of scientists, ecology, and the politics of environmental stewardship.

Naval officer. Correspondence, subject files, speeches and articles, and miscellaneous material relating primarily to Dow’s post-retirement career as consultant in civil defense, antisubmarine warfare, and communications for government and private industry.

Military officer and pioneer aviator. Correspondence, diaries, reports, official documents and personnel records, newspaper clippings, and other material relating to Foulois's military career and the development of air power in the United States military.

Statesman, diplomat, and entrepreneur. Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports, speeches, writings, appointment books, business files, name and subject files, and other papers chiefly relating to Nitze's role in United States foreign and national security policy in the last half of the twentieth century.