File is loosely organized into two sections: Nova Scotia beaver and Norway beaver. Both sections contain correspondence to and from government officials, biologists, academics, and industry consultants regarding research for and publication of Alexander Leighton's study on beaver mental characteristics. The Norway section also contains excerpts from Norwegian newspapers. There is also a set of handwritten notes titled "Outline for study of the Beaver: D. Cross & A.H. Leighton."
File contains a series of letters between Arthur Gale and Alexander Leighton regarding his film "Porpoise Oil." The correspondence includes an announcement of its inclusion as an Honorable Mention by Movie Makers staff in the selection of the Ten Best Non-theatrical Films of 1937, as well as letters about an article Gale commissioned from Leighton about the making of his film. There is also correspondence from 1941 with James Moore at The Amateur Cinema League regarding Alexander Leighton's possible submission of his film about Navajo life, "Work for your Own," for a contest in the Special Class.
File contains letters written between friends and colleagues Theodore Lidz and Alexander Leighton, beginning during the Second World War and continuing until 1951.
File contains correspondence with Adolf Meyer. Also includes summaries of recording instruments, synopses of psychiatric cases, a transcript of "Mental health film," and transcripts of conferences and conversations.
File consists of a letter from Robert Edgerton of the University of California to Jane Murphy regarding publication of her paper "Eskimo and Yoruba women: cross-cultural studies of psychopathology."