William Hewlett Papers, 1907-2010, bulk 1960-2000

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Summary

Creators:
Hewlett, William R. and William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Abstract:
The papers of William Hewlett document his professional and personal life, covering his many activities outside of Hewlett-Packard Company, how he invested his time and money, and his engagement with many organizations and individuals in business, politics, science, and academia.
Extent:
314 Linear Feet (714 manuscript boxes, 3 card boxes, 11 flat boxes, 9 record cartons, and 19 map folders)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], William Hewlett papers (M1995). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

The William Hewlett Papers consists of correspondence, photographs, financial records, reports, minutes, calendars, notes, hardware, videotapes, compact discs, newspaper clippings, publications, and other materials. The collection documents some parts of Hewlett’s personal and professional life, as well as his finances, philanthropy, and engagement with scientific, cultural, international, business, and civic organizations. Some material in the collection was created and filed by staff and individuals representing the family after William Hewlett passed away in 2001.

Biographical / historical:

William Hewlett was the co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, one of the most successful technology start-up companies in the history of Silicon Valley. He and his business partner and longtime friend David Packard flipped a coin to determine the order of their names when starting their company. Following the tremendous success of Hewlett-Packard, he became well known for his philanthropy, donating millions of dollars from his fortune to support various causes. In 1966, he and his wife established the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Today the private foundation is among the largest in the United States.

Acquisition information:
Gifts of the Hewlett family, 2014. Accession 2014-001 and 2014-111. Addenda 2016-122 was donated in 2016.
Arrangement:

The William Hewlett Papers is arranged into 16 series, Series 1: General Correspondence, Series 2: Financial, Series 3: Memberships/Boards, Series 4: Properties and Rentals, Series 5: Biographical and Family History, Series 6: Subject Files, Series 7: Calendars, Series 8: William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Series 9: Los Trancos Baseball and San Francisco Giants, Series 10: International Travel and Foreign Aid Trips, Series 11: Honors, Certificates, and Gifts, Series 12: Medical Records, Series 13: Collected Resources and Publications, Series 14: Hardware and Programming, Series 15: Audiovisual Materials, Series 16: Original Correspondence, and Series 17: Addenda 2016-122.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research, with the exception of a few boxes. Both Series 2: Financial and Series 4: Properties and Rentals each contain one box closed until the year 2050 because of sensitive material related to litigation. All items in Series 15: Audiovisual Materials were digitized and should be viewed or listened to through the reading room. The box containing the original audiovisual media is closed. Series 16: Original Correspondence is also closed to researchers, and only meant for use by staff, due to fragility; photocopies have been made available.

Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.

Terms of access:

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], William Hewlett papers (M1995). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
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