Several forms of material document the chief vocations and enterprises of the life of Ezra Cornell. Newspaper clippings kept by Cornell and later by members of his family chiefly concern the telegraph industry and the founding of Cornell University. Other topics and issues featured in the clippings include the growth of American railroads, the Republican Party, local and national politics and government including Ezra Cornell's candidacy and service in the New York State Legislature, and real estate especially pertaining to the Wisconsin lands; also mining, scientific advancement, medicine, and other issues. Other material includes agricultural catalogues, maps, particularly of lines of the developing telegraph industry and Wisconsin lands; photographs of Cornell and his family; broadsides; Ezra Cornell's "ciphering "book" (1823-1860) which included financial and arithmetic lessons and calculations; the Manual of the Common Council of New York, material from the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1867, calling cards, railroad passes, the New York State Agricultural Society's medal presented to Cornell for his cattle, Cornell's ceremonial wedding socks, and a volume celebrating the Cornell Public Library. Also, biographical and genealogical materials, and printed materials concerning Cornell University.