The Catherine Ann Cline papers reflect her half century of work as a history student and professor. In her later role she was a recognized scholar in the field of twentieth century Britain. The collection is particular strong in regard to source materials and her preliminary work on both her writings and courses, though there is not much present in regard to her administrative work and personal life.

The first series is Published Works, 1952-1996, 2007, in box 1. It contains both original copies and photocopies of her writings, including her two books, several book introductions she did for the The Garland Library of War and Peace series, various articles and book chapters, and her dozens of book reviews in journals such as The American Historical Review and The Catholic Historical Review. Reviews of her two books are also included.

The second series, Research Correspondence and Reference Material, 1919-2003, n.d., in boxes 2-5, has a mix of correspondence with other academics, archival repositories, and grant funders. There are also handwritten notes and drafts of writings as well as numerous copies of related archival documents and printed materials.

The third series is Course Lecture Notes and Related Material, 1956-1996, and undated, in boxes 5-12. This contains her numerous notes, writing drafts, and source materials for the many classes she taught at several higher education institutions, not the least of which was The Catholic University of America. Course topics range from Appeasement to War and include more routine offerings such as junior and senior seminars. This series demonstrates her dedication to research and preparation for the over four decades of classes she developed and taught.

The fourth series is Personal Papers, ca. 1945-1990, and undated, in boxes 13-14. It is divided into three subseries: Employment, Education, and Miscellaneous. The first has a couple of folders of material from her years as a professor at the Notre Dame College of Staten Island, New York, and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. The second has materials relating to her education at several institutions such as Bryn Mawr, Columbia University, and Smith College. The third has a few miscellaneous files with odds and ends such as copies of her resumes, her parents' probate, and the University Women's Club of London.

The fifth and last series is Miscellaneous and Oversize material, 1918, 1980, and undated, in boxes 15-16. Box 15 is a record center box containing 3 x 5 inch note cards, mostly handwritten in ink and mostly in shoe boxes. Box 16 is an oversize scrapbook box with a photograph, three audio cassettes, World War I related archival document photocopies, and two framed items.