The Hervey Allen Papers primarily document the writing, publishing, and producing of Allen's literary works. They include manuscripts and notes, contracts with publishers and producers, proofs, correspondence with editors and readers, illustrations, and published works. Also present are family papers which include personal materials such as correspondence, diaries, genealogical research, journals, newspaper clippings, photographs, and scrapbooks from multi-generations of the Allen family.

Lawrence Lee was a published writer of poetry, drama, fiction and essays. At the time of his death in 1978, he was a contributing columnist to the Pittsburgh Press and had been a member of the University of Pittsburgh English Department for 31 years. The Lee papers include manuscripts, clippings, and personal correspondence, as well as copies of published books and magazine articles written by Lee, autographed editions by other contemporary authors, and association copies.

Walter and Martha Leuba collected books, woodblock prints, and signed letters of writers, artists, and other notable figures. Walter Leuba was a prolific writer of poetry and prose, with a focus on literature and music. The papers in this collection document the Leubas' collecting activities, Walter's writing projects, and the Leubas' lives.

Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876-1958) was a popular and prolific American author in the first half of the 20th century. Best known for her mysteries, Rinehart published poems, short stories, plays, articles, essays, memoirs, romances, and novels. Some of her works were adapted for stage, film, radio, and television. The Mary Roberts Rinehart Papers document her career as a writer, her life, her family, and her travels and activities. Digital reproductions of selected portions of the collection (WWI notebooks) are available online.