Contains correspondence, form letters, minutes, nominations for awards and for membership, and works by Cowley about the Academy. Cowley was nominated to the National Institute of Arts and Letters in 1949 and to American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1964. As a member of both organizations, Cowley served on many committees and as president from 1956-1959 and 1962-1965. He also served as chancellor of the Academy from 1967-1976. Felicia Geffen and Maggie Mills served as secretaries for the Academy so their correspondence is rich with academy business especially during the years of Cowley’s presidency. Frequently, in Geffen and Mills’ correspondence there are copies of letters from other academy members regarding pressing academy business.

The National Institute of Arts and Letters (formed in 1898) is the parent body for the American Academy of Arts and Letters (formed in 1904). In 1976, the two organizations amalgamated to form The American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. This series also contains a great deal of correspondence and official business in regard to the amalgamation of the Academy and the Institute.