The papers of Joseph Eliash document his research about Shi'i Muslim law.  The papers consist of manuscript materials, printed material, correspondence, and grant documentation.

The papers are arranged in two series: I. Grant Files and II. Writings Files.

The Grant Files contain material related to a grant (1978-81) from the National Endowment for the Humanities.  The stated purpose of this grant was to support Eliash in translating and editing selections from one of the key texts of Shi'i Muslim law, the al-Kafi by Kulayni.  These files include copies of the grant application and related correspondence.  Additional correspondence (1981-83) of Oberlin College administrators and NEH staff discuss the disposition of Eliash's manuscript following Eliash's sudden death in 1981.  These papers do not include Eliash's translation of the al-Kafi, though other writings that came out of his research under this grant are filed in Series II. Writings.

The Writing Files contain both printed and manuscript material.  The printed material consists of reprints (1977, 1979) from the International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies.  The remainder of this series relates to Eliash's unpublished work "Twelver Shi'ism as seen through the Hadith Tradition."  This material consists of a typescript manuscript and drafts of two chapters.  This work is an in depth discussion of Shi'i Islam doctrines with regard to authority and government and is based on study of the writings of Shi'i jurists and theologians.

Series I. Grant Files, 1973-83 (3 folders)

These files contain material related to a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for a translation of selections from al-Kafi by Kulayni.  These documents include Eliash's 1977 application, 1979 renewal application, correspondence, and related materials.  Also filed here is correspondence of Oberlin College adminstrators, NEH staff, and publishers regarding the possibility of posthumous publication of Eliash's translation of al-Kafi. 

Series II.  Writings Files, 1977, 1979, n.d. (7 folders)

This series contains published and unpublished writings of Joseph Eliash.  Included are reprints of a book review (1977) and article (1979) concerning Shi'ite Islam.  Also filed here are a typescript manuscript and several chapter drafts for "Twelver Shi'ism as seen through the Hadith Tradition."  This work was never published.

The Joseph Eliash Papers were deposited in the Oberlin College Archives by Dean of Arts and Sciences Robert Longsworth following Joseph Eliash's death in 1981.

Faculty file of Joseph Eliash, Alumni and Development Records (RG 28/3)

Records of the Jewish Studies Program (formerly the Judaic and Near Eastern Studies Program) (RG 9/27)