The materials in this collection are the publications and research of Robert. J. Kane, a professor emeritus in the Ohio State University's English Department. 90 percent of the papers, correspondence, and notebooks deal with Kane's research on the Shakespearian play, King Lear. The King Lear manuscript was later published by University Press under the title King Lear in the Twentieth Century: A Bibliography and Reference Guide, which included summaries by Kane of important works and bibliographic materials from six different languages, including English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Greek.

The John H. Wilson Papers include typescripts and holographs for some of Wilson's books, including numerous transcriptions of late 17th-century English satires. It also contains a manuscript for an unpublished book, research notes and material relating to English Restoration theatre, plays, actresses, Nell Gwyn and Dame Mary Etherege. The collection also includes holograph notebooks, offprints of articles, journal issues, and miscellaneous photos relating to Wilson's research.