There are now finding aids available for the William Joseph Kerby papers, the William Joseph Kerby Foundation records, and the papers of William Henry Russell. Special thanks to Lauren Kanne for her work to create all three finding aids.

Msgr. Kerby (1870-1936) was a priest, writer, teacher, editor, and organizer of Catholic social work. He established sociology departments and taught at The Catholic University of America and Trinity College. He also served with the Christ Child Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the National Conference of Catholic Charities.

The Kerby Foundation was a national organization founded in 1941, dedicated to encouraging American lay Catholics to put a spiritual concept of democracy to practical use in the fields of education, social service, public administration, labor and industrial relations.

Msgr. William Henry Russell, a nephew of Msgr. Kerby, was a priest, educator, and writer dedicated to making the Catholic message accessible to the average person.