FBI Files, 1946-1988

Series — Multiple Containers

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

In the summer of 1961, when Forman joined SNCC, the FBI opened an investigation of Forman which continued through the 1970s. Forman was able to obtain copies of FBI files kept on him and other subjects through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. There are files on Forman, SNCC, the “Black Manifesto,” and Black Nationalism. Forman also collected files on 20th century organized crime leaders and right wing Zionist organizations and figures for his own research. All files were redacted (sometimes heavily) by the government before they were released.

Dates

1946-1988

Conditions Governing Access

Appointments to examine materials must be made in advance. Please e-mail QC.archives@qc.cuny.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment. Some legacy media items will remain inaccessible until they are converted to modern digital formats. Forman's collection of books, as well as a portion of the periodicals and pamphlets he collected, are currently inaccessible and/or unprocessed.

Extent

8.757 Linear Feet (21 document cases)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The FBI files are organized by subject in five subseries:

Subseries 1: James Forman

Subseries 2: Black Manifesto

Subseries 3: COINTELPRO, Black Nationalism, and SNCC

Subseries 4: Organized Crime

Subseries 5: Right wing Jewish/Zionist Organizations and Subjects

Immediate Source of Acquisition

In 1976, Forman initiated a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with U.S. government agencies to actively pursue obtaining files on himself and other organizations and figures. Forman filed FOIA requests with the FBI, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Air Force. Additionally, copies of files on Black Nationalism were provided to Forman by Stanford historian Clay Carson in 1979.