The Manuscripts series consists mainly of incoming correspondence to Carol Frost (Robert Frost's son), Carol's wife Lillian (LaBatt) Frost, and his son William Prescott Frost who was also the donor, Robert Frost II's, father. The bulk of the letters to Carol are from his father, covering the years 1931 through 1938. The letters are full of family and farm news and arrangements for visits, particularly during the period when Carol and his family were living in California. There are also a few letters of encouragement regarding the samples of writings that Carol had apparently sent to his father. One letter from Dorothy Canfield Fisher is also included. She also turns up as a correspondent in the series of letters to Lillian Frost.
The subseries of incoming correspondence to Lillian Frost makes up the bulk of the Manuscripts series, with the majority of letters being written by Robert Frost. Sadly, they begin shortly after the suicide of Carol in 1940, and offer his bereaved daughter-in-law sympathy, encouragement, and financial assistance. The later letters, written during the mid-1940s also offer advice on the development and education of William Prescott. Other correspondents include nephew Harold Cone (the son of sister-in-law Irma Frost Cone), sister-in-law Marjorie Frost, scholar Edward Lathem, Robert Frost's companion and secretary Kathleen Morrison, television producer Norman Lear, and several government offices. There is also a group of letters (including a few carbon copy responses) from Sandra Katz spanning the years 1982 to 1988. Katz was the author of Elinor Frost, A Poet's Wife , published in 1988. Her letters to Lillian contain queries about Elinor's life and personality, and, over time, show a growing warmth and affection.
The subseries of correspondence directed to William Prescott Frost, known as Prescott, consists of single letters from his father Carol, grandmother Elinor, aunt Marjorie Frost, and a librarian, William K. Holman. Also in this group is a series of photocopied letters from Robert Frost to his grandson, covering the years 1936?-1962.
The Manuscript series includes a section of Financial documents, consisting of several bank statements, bills, and, most notably, canceled checks signed by Robert Frost or his companion and secretary, Kathleen Morrison, These items date from the 1940s.
A special topical subseries, Amherst College Resignation, June 1938, was created to retain the integrity of the documents surrounding Frost's disputed resignation from Amherst College. Included here are letters of Amherst president, Stanley King, board member Frederick S. Allis, and a draft of letter from Frost to well-known jurist Felix Frankfurter. Additional Legal Documents and Clippings round out the subseries.
