The Robert Drake Papers, 1957-1998, include correspondence, manuscripts of writings, speeches, research and publication materials, publicity for books, reviews, legal and financial documents, memorabilia, clippings and photographs. One half of the collection is correspondence, with the writing manuscripts forming nearly as large a portion of the collection. Major topics of interest include the large correspondence, multiple versions of Robert Drake's writings, and as well as a small amount of personal and biographical material.

Robert Drake was an Alumnus of Vanderbilt University, Class of 1953 and author of several volumes of short stories.