Linda LeClair Collection

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: BC47

Staff View

Collection Scope and Content Summary

This collection contains newspaper clippings from 1968, correspondence, photocopies of correspondence and newspaper clippings, and a 2008 article relating to the Linda LeClair controversy.

Dates

Creation: 1968 - 2008

Access

This collection has restrictions. Folder 1.5 contains student information and confidential materials that are restricted until 2043.

Publication Rights

Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Barnard College Archives. The Barnard College Archives approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Reproduction Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes.

Historical Information

In 1968, Barnard student Linda LeClair and her boyfriend Peter Behr gave an interview to the New York Times about their cohabitation along with other college age couples. Though she remained anonymous in the article, Barnard was able to trace it back to Linda. As she broke Barnard’s housing rules, she was to be brought before Barnard’s judiciary committee, but it quickly became an issue larger than a student breaking the rules. It became a nationwide controversy with the entire country writing about, and to, Barnard about the situation. Ultimately, it ended with Leclair being banned from campus dining facilities, but she chose to leave the college anyway.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 Box)

Language

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of news clippings, correspondence, and personal papers regarding Barnard College student, Linda LeClair. In 1968, LeClair was found to be living with her boyfriend off campus leading to a nationwide controversy with her and Barnard at the center.

Collection Arrangement

This collection is arranged in the order in which it was received.

Physical Location

This collection is located in the Barnard Archives and Special Collections, Barnard Library. To use this collection, please contact the Barnard Archives and Special Collections at 212.854.4079 or archives@barnard.edu.

Acquisition Information

The acquisition date and source is unknown.

Accruals

No additions are expected.

Related Materials

Mary Mothersill was an instructor at Barnard College and an advocate of Linda during the controversy. She complied a scrapbook of newspaper clippings and documents relating to Linda, which is a part of her collection BC 20.27 the Mary Mothersill Faculty Papers.

Related Materials

Martha Peterson was president of Barnard during Linda’s trial. She was in direct contact with Linda and collection BC 5.22, the President’s Office, may have items regarding this collection.

Processing History

This collection was processed by Julia Sukhu in April 2018.

Descriptive Rules Used: Finding aid adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Encoding: Machine readable finding aid encoded in EAD 2002.

Finding aid written in English.