The Papers of Angus Wilson document the entire span of the famed writer's literary career, as well as his personal life. The collection contains holograph notes and typescripts of the texts for all of Wilson's novels as well as many of his short stories, plays and non-fiction works. The breadth of Wilson's research for his literary studies is well-represented by the presence of his research materials used for The Strange Ride of Rudyard Kipling. There are also holograph and/or typescript versions of many of Wilson's numerous articles, lectures, speeches, and reviews.

The correspondence in the collection begins in 1937 and lasts beyond Wilson's death in 1991; many of the correspondents are important literary figures or other notable personalities. Included as part of the correspondence are the letters of Wilson's companion and secretary Tony Garrett.

Series 12 is a correspondence index which notes the dates of the letters of many of Wilson's more famous correspondents.

Series 13 is an inventory of Angus Wilson's short stories. The format is as follows: title, format, box number, notebook number, notes.

Format codes for Series 13: a=article, at=audio tape, b=book, f=story fragment, i=interview, l=lecture, n=novel, nt=notes, p=play, r=review, sp=speech, ss=short story, st=study, t=television play.

A separate series contains records relating to Wilson's brothers Colin Frank (David) and Patrick Boswell Johnstone-Wilson. Other series concern Wilson's teaching career (primarily at the University of East Anglia), his finances, and his media presence (via press clippings).

There is a small collection of photographs and audio materials in the collection as well.