The William B. Major paper spans the years 1961-1977 (bulk 1961-1973) and encompass 1.7 linear feet of papers.

The manuscript portion consists of production files (produced and unproduced), television files, and subject files. The production files (produced) contain scripts on several films Major worked on, including some Paramount productions from the early 1960s, as well as several films from the early 1970s, notably CATCH-22 (1970), THE BABY MAKER (1970), TOM SAWYER (1973), and HUCKLEBERRY FINN (1974). The production files (unproduced) contain script material for two projects including "Washington Portfolio," which was to be produced by Disney around 1971. The television files contain multiple scripts for episodes of Western television shows BONANZA, HAVE GUN -- WILL TRAVEL, and THE OUTLAWS, all dating from 1961. There is also a script for the television movie IT HAPPENED ONE CHRISTMAS, dating from 1977. The subject files include three reference books on art and illustration. There are two notebooks containing clippings about human anatomy and colors, both undated, as well as a monograph containing reproductions of art works, dated 1976.

William B. Major (1925-2001) was an American production designer. Major graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the Otis College of Art and Design in 1952. He was involved as a production illustrator for the Paramount production THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956), which became a formative early experience. In the following years Major worked largely as an illustrator and storyboard artist for Paramount, on such films such as ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968) and CATCH-22 (1970). For a brief period of time, he worked for Universal where amongst other films he produced drawings for JAWS (1976). Major also worked on a small number of films for Disney, including set illustrations for DICK TRACY (1990), one of his last jobs. Major's work was exhibited as part of the Academy exhibition "The Art of the Motion Picture Illustrator" in 2007.