The collection documents the life and work of Thomas Merton through monographs, articles, essays, reviews, prefaces, poems, and other writings by Merton. The vast majority of textual materials is in the form of typescripts (including mimeographed works of limited distribution), including an original typescript of The Seven Storey Mountain. The collection also contains Merton's correspondence with Terrence Connolly, S.J., Brendan Connolly, S.J., Mary Stack McNiff, and others. Additionally, the materials include photographs of Merton and original ink calligraphic drawings by Merton. The collection also includes reviews of Merton's works and writings about Merton.

Series I. Correspondence, 1947-1977: The series contains Merton's outgoing correspondence with Terrence Connolly, S.J., Brendan Connolly, S.J., Mary Stack McNiff, Dante Mogana, Dorothy Wayland, Mary Foster and other individuals. Additionally, it includes copies of the Fathers Connollys' outgoing letters sent to Merton. The series also contains general correspondence about Merton received and written by Terrence Connolly and McNiff. The series also includes several of Merton's "Circular Letters" as well as a few incoming items to Merton. This series is arranged into six subseries: Incoming Correspondence; Circular Letters; Brendan Connolly-Thomas Merton Correspondence; Terrence Connolly-Thomas Merton Correspondence; Mary McNiff-Thomas Merton Correspondence; and, Other Correspondence

Series II. Monographs, 1946-1967: This series contains monographs written by Merton on various subjects. It includes self-published works (i.e. bound mimeographed works) circulated privately by Merton, publisher's proofs and galleys, and manuscripts (typescripts), including TheSeven Storey Mountain. The series is arranged in three subseries: Self-Published Works; Publishers' Proofs; and Manuscripts.

Series III. Essays, 1940-1969: This series contains individual essays written by Thomas Merton. It consists primarily of typescripts (including mimeographed items) but also includes published articles. The processing archivist has noted when individual typescripts contain Merton's handwritten corrections. They are arranged alphabetically by title.

Series IV. Prefaces, 1953-1970: This series contains typescripts (including mimeographed items) of prefaces for works written by Merton and prefaces written by Merton for the works of other authors. The processing archivist has noted when individual typescripts contain Merton's handwritten corrections. This series is arranged into two subseries: Prefaces for Works by Merton; and Prefaces for Works by Other Individuals.

Series V. Miscellaneous Manuscripts, 1967: This series consists primarily of Merton's handwritten outlines and notes for various writing projects. These items are undated. The series also includes photocopies of Merton's will and a typed summary of a meeting held at Gethsemani Abbey on the subject of "intercontemplative communication as a means of renewal." These items are both dated from 1967.

Series VI. Book Reviews, 1949-1967: This series contains book reviews authored by Merton. It consists of typescripts (including mimeographed items) and clippings from periodicals. The materials shed light on Merton's opinions of individual authors and their works. The processing archivist has noted when individual typescripts contain Merton's handwritten corrections. The series is divided into two subseries: Titled Book Reviews; and Untitled Book Reviews.

Series VII. Poetry, 1941-1967: This series contains manuscript and typescript (including mimeographed items) copies of Merton's poems. The processing archivist has noted when individual typescripts contain Merton's handwritten corrections. Published versions of the poems, when available, were also included with the manuscript copies. These poems are described on the item-level. Also contained in this series are other periodical cuttings of Merton's poems. These are described collectively on the folder-level.

Series VIII. Works About Merton, 1944-1986: This series contains works about Merton written by various individuals. It consists of book reviews (both of Merton's works and works about Merton), items written about him at the time of his death and essays about Merton's life. The series is arranged into four subseries: Book Reviews of Publications Written by Merton; Book Reviews of Publications about Merton; Homilies, Obituaries and Remembrances; and Articles Essays about Merton.

Series IX. Ephemera, 1946-1978: This series includes commercially produced calendars with photographs of Gethsemani Abbey, sets of printed greeting cards illustrated with Merton's art, prayer cards with quotations from Merton's writing, a program from an exhibit of Merton's art and publicity items from books by and about Merton.

Series X. Artwork by Merton, 1963-1964: This series consists of eight original pen and ink calligraphic drawings. Four of these drawings include titles and five of the drawings are dated. It also includes two photographic reproductions of other Merton drawings.

Series XI. Photographs, 1939-1969: This series consists primarily of original photographs of Merton dated from 1941 through 1968. Several items are undated. They include photographs of Merton at St. Bonaventure College's 1941 commencement, Merton's ordination and Merton standing with the Dalai Lama. The majority of the photographs are uncredited. The identified photographers are John Howard Griffin, Philip M. Stark, and Tenzin Geshe (the Dalai Lama's secretary). The series also contains photographs of a 1969 exhibit on Thomas Merton installed by the St. John's Seminary (Boston, Massachusetts) and a post card of the Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Peace (a memorial for Merton in New Harmony, Indiana). Additionally, it contains copy negatives and copy prints from the 1939 Columbia University Yearbook.