The Edwin Markham Family Papers (1898-1994) includes a variety of documents and photographs chronicling the life of Edwin Markham, noted poet and California State Normal School, San Jose, graduate. The varied clippings in the collection indicate the depth of local and national interest in his career and the esteem in which he was held at the normal school. Secondary subjects represented in the collection include Markham's wife and son, the Markham Cottage on the San José State University campus, and the Poetry Society of America.

This artificial collection includes materials from multiple sources, many of which are unidentified. A portion of the collection was given to the university as a bequest from the C.W. Thomas family, local residents and friends of the Markham family. The collection is organized by subject. The bulk of the collection relates to Edwin Markham and includes biographical information, newspaper clippings and select correspondence. The remainder of the collection includes correspondence from Anna C. Markham and Virgil Markham, miscellaneous printed materials and correspondence about Markham at SJSU. The bulk of the material dates from 1910-1940.

Notable items in the collection include a letter from Markham to the Thomas family informing them of Anna Catherine's death, two letters from Markham to the poet Henry Meade Bland, several signed poems, and family photographs.