This collection consists of correspondence, genealogical materials, speeches, essays, newspaper clippings, autobiographical materials, and photographs.  The collection has been ranged into fourteen series.  It is rich in material on the history of American Quakerism in the nineteenth century, prison reform, and Richmond and Wayne County, Indiana.  It appears that Charles F. Coffin identified many of the materials that he wanted Earlham to receive, and the remainder was apparently selected by the Coffin sons, especially Percival B. Coffin, to present their parents as they wished them remembered. Series I, “Correspondence Received, 1856-1919,” consists of letters written mainly to Charles F. Coffin.  The overwhelming majority dates from after 1890.  Correspondents of special interest include Oliver P. Morton, George W. Julian, Joseph Bevan Braithwaite, Henry Stanley Newman, Joseph G. Cannon, Harlow Lindley, Rufus M. Jones, Elbert Russell, and Robert P. and Hannah Whitall Smith.  Series II consists of “Letters Sent, 1841-1915,” all by Charles.  It appears that Charles did not routinely keep copies of outgoing correspondence until about 1890. Series III, “Autobiography and Reminiscence,” consists of works by Charles.  It includes his autobiography, notes on a journey to Philadelphia in 1844 (the original of which is at Swarthmore), and “Presidents I Have Known.”  Series IV, “Biographical Sketches and Reminiscences,”consists of memories and brief biographies by Charles of relatives and well-known Friends, all apparently composed after 1890. Series V consists of material on “Reform and Humanitarian Work” by Charles and Rhoda.  It includes correspondence, essays, clippings, printed materials, and other materials arranged topically: death penalty, Friends and reform in Indiana, the Richmond Home for the Friendless, Indian affairs, and Prison reform.  Series VI, “Quaker Activities and Subjects,” includes histories of local and yearly meetings, Quaker institutions and organizations, Earlham College, and Quaker events in which the Coffins participated.  Series VII deals with the Coffins’ non-Quaker religious activities. Series VIII consists of local history materials, clippings and reminiscences by Charles on topics including the National Road, Wayne and Henry counties, Indiana, antislavery, and eastern Indiana pioneers.  Series IX, on the Richmond bank failure, includes manuscript materials and clippings, including Charles’s defense of his actions and a lengthy and intensely critical letter from Timothy Nicholson to Thomas Kimber about the bank failure.  Series X consists of miscellaneous newspaper clippings. Series XI and XII contain materials relating to Rhoda M. Coffin.  Series XI includes correspondence, miscellaneous manuscript writings, and publications.  Series XII consists of two volumes of letters of condolence and appreciation received upon her death in 1909. Series XIII is oversize ledgers and materials.  These include Charles’s autobiography, collections of speeches and articles, typescripts of family papers assembled by Percival, scrapbooks, a photograph album, and the Indiana Yearly Meeting Book Agency Day Book 1831-1851. Series XIV consists of seven boxes of pamphlets, numbered 1 through 7.  These include memorials and Quaker publications. Of particular interest are the annual reports of the Richmond Home for the Friendless.  At the time of their donation, they were designated: “The Charles F. and Rhoda M. Coffin Memorial Library.”