Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Dr. Helen Fisher, and Dr. Judith Allen donate historic archives to the Kinsey Institute

The acquisitions expand Institute’s extensive library holding 2,000 years of history and globally significant records

Kinsey Institute

 

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Dr. Ruth with Kinsey Institute Executive Director Dr. Justin Garcia during her final public appearance in NYC

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Credit: The Kinsey Institute

The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University has acquired remarkable archives from three pioneering figures in the study of human sexuality, relationships, and wellbeing: the legendary sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, renowned anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher, and respected feminist historian Dr. Judith Allen. These invaluable collections represent decades of groundbreaking research, education, and cultural contributions that will advance future scholarship and research.  

“For almost 80 years, the Kinsey Institute has stood for the right to ask questions about human sexuality, questions that these materials will help answer for generations to come,” said Dr. Justin Garcia, Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute. “Each of these scholars has left an indelible mark on their fields and, thanks to their generosity and commitment to open learning, their work will continue to inspire and inform.” 

Together, these collections exemplify the diverse and multidisciplinary nature of the Kinsey Institute’s extensive archival collection, which spans 2,000 years of history and includes some of the world’s most significant records relating to sexuality. They join records that include the papers of researchers such as Dr. Alfred Kinsey and Masters & Johnson; artworks such as those by Matisse, Robert Mapplethorpe, George Platt Lynes, and Cynthia Plaster Caster; and an extensive film and video collection spanning from 1915 through to today.  

The Kinsey Institute holdings are a destination collection for researchers around the world, welcoming more than 350 scholars to study the collections in Bloomington, Indiana, in 2024 and processing more than 7,000 archival requests. The materials will be safely housed in Indiana University’s state-of-the-art library facility and will be available after a period of careful processing and cataloging to ensure their preservation and accessibility. The Kinsey Institute is looking forward to opening these new collections for study once processing is complete and providing unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary research, education, and public engagement.  

The Kinsey Institute would like to thank the families of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Dr. Helen Fisher, and Dr. Judith Allen for their support and trust in our stewardship of these significant collections, as well as their commitment to making them accessible for scholarship. Speaking in the final public appearance before her death, Dr. Ruth shared that the most important thing is that others can learn from her materials.  

To learn more about the Kinsey Institute Library & Special Collections visit kinseyinstitute.org/collections/   

To help the Kinsey Institute maintain its valued research library and collections and make them available for the continued education of scholars around the world, consider a donation to our collection fund kinseyinstitute.org/support/    

About the Kinsey Institute 

For almost 80 years, the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University has been a global leader in research on human sexuality, relationships, and wellbeing. The Kinsey Institute provides an unbiased, apolitical, and multidisciplinary approach, serving as a trusted source for evidence-based information. The Kinsey Institute's research programs are led by internationally renowned experts across disciplines including neuroscience, psychology, public health, anthropology, history, and gender studies. The Kinsey Institute also houses the world’s largest library of materials on human sexuality and offers a dynamic range of art exhibitions, public lectures, and educational programs. Visit kinseyinstitute.org to learn more and follow on LinkedIn.