RG 30. Personal Papers

Scope and Contents The papers of Karl Frederick Geiser consist of biographical information, clippings, correspondence, and writings concerning Geiser’s pro German stance and reaction by the Oberlin College administration, the community of Oberlin, and the nation. Included in the biographical file is a copy of the “Report of the Committee on the Case of Professor Karl F. Geiser” (1919). This report provides insight into how Geiser’s writings and teachings were viewed by the College trustees, administration,...

Scope and Contents The Baldwin Family Papers span one hundred thirty-four years, from 1855-1989, and chronicle the life and times of Cyrus Grandison Baldwin, Cyrus Harcourt Baldwin, James Fairchild Baldwin, and Edward Henry Fairchild. The majority of materials can be considered secondary sources; news clippings, excerpts from historical publications, and other printed matter. Few documents were created by the family members themselves. The collection contains nineteen well-annotated...

Scope and Contents Ellen Johnson was a teacher, writer, artist, collector of contemporary art, and world traveler. This collection details the career of an extraordinary woman who worked and taught at Oberlin College for 38 years. In order to gain a grasp of the uniqueness and extent of Johnson's contributions to the world of contemporary art and the teaching of modern art history, one must also refer to the research files and assorted papers donated to the Archives of American Art. The collection...

Scope and Contents The papers of Gladys Irene Champney document Champney's career as an artist and teacher, as well as her dedication to keeping journals and her relationship with her family, especially her sister, Sylvia Johnson. This collection sheds unscientific light of the process of aging and of the problems of aged people (i.e., how does one use successfully one's time following retirement, especially if you are unmarried and without children). The Correspondence Series contains letters written...

Scope and Contents The Papers of Dr. James T. and Jeanne (Hibbard) Stephens primarily document their  careers as physicians in the Oberlin Community, and their work in Kenya after retirement in 1976. The writings of James Stephens, including The Christian as a Doctor (1960), The History of the Oberlin Clinic (1977),  and In the Shadow of Mt. Kenya (1993, book and manuscript), provide insight into the medical...

Scope and Contents The papers of Alice Hester Simpson detail her life, personal and professional, and her relationships with several members of her family. The correspondence of David and Clara Simpson gives additional insight for the lives of Alice Simpson’s parents. Her family correspondence and activity in finalizing the affairs or receiving posthumous gifts of several family members describes her involvement with her family. Of special notice are the numerous letters to and from Alice Simpson’s great...

Scope and Contents

The collection ranges in date from 1931 to 1959 and consists of correspondence, speeches/writings, and printed materials. It includes both personal and professional material.

The Arthur E. Nilsson Papers are divided into three series: Correspondence, Speeches and Writings, and Collected Printed Material. The latter series is divided into three subseries: Ben Lewis, Chapel Talks, and Miscellaneous.

Scope and Contents The Jeptha J. Carrell papers are divided into six subgroups: I. Oberlin Retirement Community (Kendal at Oberlin), II. Oberlin Community Improvement Corporation (O.C.I.C.), III. Cable Television, IV. Cleveland Small Business Incubator Study (CSBI), V. Ohio Historical Improvement Organization, and VI. Writings and Talks.  Included are agendas, clippings, correspondence, minutes, notes, notebooks, reports, books, and financial, legal, and planning documents. As the subgroup titles...

Scope and Contents The Jorge Luis Borges Collection primarily comprises interviews, ephemera, clippings, photographs, and audio and video recordings documenting Borges’ visit to Oberlin College in May 1983, as well as other interviews with Borges by Ana Cara. Most of the materials were used in the Oberlin College Libraries' digital [url=https://omeka.ohio5.org/exhibits/show/borges]Jorge Luis Borges Collection[/url] published in 2012. The project was one of many developed at Oberlin and the other four...

Scope and Contents The Helen Bigelow White Papers provides a glimpse into the life of an Oberlin student, graduate, wife and mother, both in writing and in photographs. It includes three of her diaries (Series 1): one from her high school years, another from her time enrolled at Oberlin College, and a third from the year of her first child’s birth in 1927, when she and her husband lived in Cleveland. Other materials include a few items of correspondence (Series 2), and a photograph album (8 x 10 in.)...