There are four, bound scrapbooks in this series contained in 2 boxes. The scrapbooks are composed mainly of clippings of Whitelock's published writings. The scrapbooks are not assembled in strict chronological order, and there is some duplication of material. The scrapbooks have been artificially designated 1 through 4 for purposes of description. Clippings in the scrapbooks indicate topics and subjects which appealed to Whitelock in his writings. Dates and place of publication are noted on many of the clippings. Events in his life which he wished to record such as naval service, alumni events, and professional recognition are represented in the scrapbooks.

Scrapbook 1 spans the years 1885 to 1934. An early poem entitled, "To Whom It May Concern", was written in 1885 while Whitelock was a student at the Pennsylvania Military College and appears here. Two of Whitelock's poems which received particular attention throughout the country are among the clippings. One, "Bolshevism in Practice" (1919) was reprinted 800 times throughout the country, and "It Happened in Cube-Land," a satirical reference to modern art exhibited at the 1913 Armory Show, was printed in over 1000 periodicals. A notice of the play, The Man Who Told the Truth, book notices, and clippings of letters to the editor are among the other items in the scrapbook.

Scrapbook 2 spans the years 1897 to 1926. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Whitelock enlisted in the Navy and served on the Gloucester, commanded by Richard Wainwright. Whitelock, the chief yeoman, headed the party which rescued the Spanish admiral, Pascual Cervera, during the battle of Santiago in 1898. For his service, Whitelock was awarded the Santiago, Guanica, and West Indies campaign medals. Clippings which describe the battle and its aftermath are included in the scrapbook, many of which were written by Whitelock. Apparently in 1926, Whitelock developed a different perspective on these events. In a letter to the editor of the New York World, he wrote that "in looking back, (on the battle of Santiago) there is very little ground for pride or self-gratulation" (sic).

Scrapbook 2 also contains other examples of Whiteock's writings for the New York Times. Interviews (1901) with literary figures including Richard Whiteing, Edwin Markham, and Anthony Hope are among the clippings. The clippings assembled in the scrapbook demonstrate Whitelock's ability to move from serious subjects to the delights of children's literature. A series of published stories (1903) on the adventures of "Poster Cat" as well as examples of children's verses complete the scrapbook.

In Scrapbook 3, Whitelock's journalistic writings are represented for the year 1901. Whitelock researched the formative years of literary figures and wrote lengthy pieces which were published in the New York Times under the title, "The Beginnings of Great Authors." Balzac, Lord Byron, Victor Hugo, and Charles Dickens were among the writers included in the series.

Scrapbook 4 spans the years 1901 to 1939 and includes additional mementos from the 30th year reunion of Whitelock's 1890 graduation class from The Johns Hopkins University. A souvenir newspaper, The '90 Medley, includes a copy of "Corda Virosque Cano," the poem of celebration he was commissioned to write. The commemorative poem, "Corona Vitae," for alumni of the Pennsylvania Military College killed in World War I is printed in a program of dedication from the Pennsylvania Military College.

In 1902, The Literary Guillotine was published anonymously in the Reader magazine; later published in book form also anonymously. The book received widespread attention and speculation as to its authorship. Mark Twain, Oliver Herford, and Charles Battell Loomis were suggested as the author. The book satirized writers, William Dean Howells, Henry James, Mrs. Humphrey Ward, and others. It was critically received, and eventually William Wallace Whitelock was revealed as the author. The revelation came from the book critic of the Baltimore Sun. Whitelock subscribed to an Authors' Clipping Bureau, and clippings related to the mystery surrounding The Literary Guillotine are included from many newspapers across the United States. Whitelock's poetry often reflected significant events of the period. The first American soldiers killed in World War I were Merle Hay, James D. Gresham, and Thomas Enright. Whitelock was inspired to write "Ode to Enright, Gresham, and Hay." The final items in this series are newspaper accounts of an interview with Hay's parents at the beginning of World War II in 1939 and a picture of a monument in France to the three Americans.