Subseries 2A: Articles, 1915-1967, contains magazine and journal articles, as well as book reviews, about arms limitations, European politics in the 1930s, the role of intelligence-gathering in a democracy, and U.S.-Soviet relations during the 1950s. Of particular note is Dulles's never published article, "My Answer to the Bay of Pigs." Numerous drafts of the article, galleys Arthur Schlesinger's A Thousand Days with marginalia, and articles from major newspapers and magazines are contained within the files. Dulles began the article in response to the John F. Kennedy biographies that began to flood the market in 1965. Dulles abhorred the idea that members of the Kennedy administration were publicizing classified information. Mrs. Dulles insisted that a note remain with the files indicating that her "husband decided not to publish the article because there was so much more in his favor he could have said, had he been at liberty to do so, that the material herein was inadequate."

Subseries 2B: Books, 1902-1969, contains drafts, galleys, articles, reviews, notes, and correspondence pertaining to Dulles' books and articles. Starting with his 1902 monograph on the Boer War, it documents the composition and publication of Germany's Underground, The Craft of Intelligence, and The Secret Surrender. It also contains drafts of two never published books, The Marshall Plan, and Communist Subversion. Scant materials on his collaborations with Hamilton Fish Armstrong are found.

Subseries 6A: Biographical Materials, 1909-1970, is arranged by form and chronologically thereunder. Material within this subseries includes miscellaneous items from Dulles' life such as his report card from the Ecole Alsacienne to condolences his wife received after his death. Various biographical articles and clippings from major news publications comprise a large part of this subseries as well. They chronicle Dulles' career from childhood author to CIA Director. Foreign news wires announcing the death of John Foster Dulles are located at the very end of this subseries. How Foster was regarded by various countries is evident through these wires, which in turn reflects the image of America in the eyes of the world.

The Permanent Correspondence subseries contains correspondence between Kennan and scholars, government officials, and the general public. Most are at least one page in length and some include enclosures of copies of articles. Many of the letters contain discussions of ideas presented in articles or important current events and issues, such as Russian history and foreign policy, American foreign policy, U.S.-Soviet relations, and the arms race and nuclear disarmament. Kennan's correspondence with other scholars focused on the exchange of ideas and facts for works in progress or the analysis of recently published scholarship. Kennan also provided information about himself for others' biographical works about him or corrected their published interpretations of his opinions. Kennan's correspondence with government officials was largely concerned with his responses to their requests for advice on foreign affairs. Additionally, the subseries contains correspondence between Kennan and members of his extended family. In the correspondence, they discussed family news, planned visits, the countries Kennan was working or traveling in, and a little about his diplomatic work.

The Chronological Correspondence subseries contains brief correspondence from Kennan or his secretary to the general public, scholars, journalists, and publishers. The correspondence is in response to letters from these individuals, although copies of their letters are not present. Many of these letters are of a standard form, with the most common expressing gratitude for articles sent to Kennan, appreciation for praise about Kennan's writings and ideas, or notifying the correspondent that Kennan is out of the country. Other common subjects include brief responses to articles sent to Kennan, correspondence with Kennan's publishers about proofreading issues and logistics, responses to invitations for Kennan to speak, write or attend events (most of which were declined), travel arrangements, and providing letters of recommendation.

The Miscellaneous Correspondence subseries contains brief correspondence between Kennan or Kennan's secretary and the general public or scholars. The majority of Kennan's responses to their correspondence, which most often described their work or commented on Kennan's work, is routine in nature and provided his appreciation for invitations (generally declined), praise or papers sent to Kennan. Other correspondence concerned individuals seeking help with their research, or interviews or quotes to use in their writings. Also included are clippings, materials related to Kennan's speaking engagements and awards, travel files, correspondence about obtaining permissions to quote or publish reprints of Kennan's writings, and reprints of articles sent by the correspondents to Kennan. A few of the folders, labeled "floppies" by Kennan, contain print-outs of Kennan's outgoing correspondence. Also included is a card file for the 1958 correspondence which provides the name and address of each correspondent and a brief description of the subject of the letter.