This collection contains correspondence, photographs, clippings, short stories, poems, musical compositions, and other materials documenting the lives of brothers Murphy DeWitt and Robert Neill Smith. Series I: Murphy DeWitt Smith, 1942-1993 consists primarly of correspondence between Murphy and various members of his family. It also houses a number of photographs (many of them portraying Murphy himself) and various other materials relating to his family and life.

Series II: Robert Neill Smith, 1929-1998 (bulk 1937-1971) is somewhat more varied. It is composed primarily of personal and professional correspondence (Sub-Series A) and materials documenting Smith's artistic endeavors (Sub-Series B). Artistic materials consist of short story manuscripts, poems, plays, musical compositions, and information about Smith's involvement with a number of small theatres. Other materials in this series document Smith's personal life (Sub- Series C), education (Sub-Series D), professional life (Sub-Series E), and death and estate (Sub-Series F). Finally, this series includes photographs (Sub- Series G) and scrapbooks (Sub-Series H) relating to Robert Smith and his family, friends, and activities.

See also MS.2400: Letter to Murphy D. Smith from Christopher Sandford, 1960.