The Frederic W. Ness papers measure 2 linear feet and date from 1940 to 1995. The papers are arranged in two series: Professional and Personal.

Frederic W. Ness was an academic who devoted his career to the world of higher education. He attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the University of Cincinnati where he received his master's degree in English literature. He then went on to Yale University where he earned his Ph.D. and subsequently became a professor of English. His teaching career took a turn due to World War II. He enlisted in the Naval reserves and taught for four years at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Copyright has been transferred to California State University, Fresno.

The collection is open for research.