Lyman B. Hall Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 30-014

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers consist, in the main, of letters received by Hall and of a diary of 13 volumes that he kept from 1884 until his death. There are also letters written by Hall, several while in Germany with his first wife in 1888-1889, and others while in Europe and England in 1905. Many of the letters written to him were by his brothers Russell (AB 1865) and Thomas (AB 1872), Theodore E. Burton and C.B. Martin. Other corespondents include W.G. Ballantine, E.I. Bosworth, John Ellis, W.G. Frost, and Azariah Root. In addition, there are several letters sent from Thomas in England to his wife in 1899.

The diary deals with day-to-day matters of all kinds. Family matters, studies, and his trips to Europe and England also receive a great deal of attention. Hall's interest in music is reflected. There is much information about Germany, bicycling in England and on the Continent, visits to art galleries and museums, and the like. (A partial calendar to the diaries is a part of the papers.)

Dates

Creation: 1871-1918
Other: Date acquired: 03/27/1969

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Biographical Sketch

Lyman Bronson Hall was born on August 10, 1852, in Richmond, Virginia, to Joseph Alonzo (1809-1880) and Sarah Bronson Hall (1819-1902). He had numerous siblings, including Russell Thaddeus (1844-1905), Mary Alma (1847-1931), Thomas Alonzo (1849-1911), Joseph Willard (1855-1862), Sarah Pamelia (1859-1860), and Emily Sarah (1861-). At the age of four, his family moved to the Oberlin area, enabling him to attend the Oberlin public schools, and later, the Preparatory Academy. In 1867, he enrolled in the college, receiving an AB in 1872.

After further study in the theological departments of Oberlin and Harvard, he received a Harvard BD in 1877 and an Oberlin BD and MA in 1878. He also studied at Union Theological Seminary in the 1870s and at the University of Berlin, Johns Hopkins, Chicago, and Harvard in the 1880s-1890s. He was ordained to the Congregational ministry at Oberlin in 1881, but he never served a pastorate. He taught grammar in the Preparatory Department, 1872-1873; Tutor in Latin and Greek, 1878-1883; Associate Professor of Latin and Greek, 1883-1888; Professor of Latin, 1888-1899; and Professor of History, 1899-1918. Most of the courses he offered were in American History; he also offered a single course entitled "English History: 55 BC-1902 AD." Although known as a teacher and not as a scholar, Hall did publish several pieces in the Oberlin Alumni Magazine, including "English Politics in 1906" (October 1906) and "Notes on the Founders of Oberlin College" (February 1908).

In 1918, Governor James Middleton Cox (1870-1957) appointed Hall a member of the Ohio History Board. Headed by Arthur Meier Schlessinger (1888-1965) of Ohio State, the board was responsible for making a record of the part Ohio citizens played in World War I.

Hall's first marriage was to his classmate, Ada E. Hitchcock (1851-1892; Lit. 1872) in 1878, and his second was to Caroline I. Caldwell (1872-1956; Ph.B. 1896) in 1899. Neither union produced any children.

On July 3, 1918, Hall died suddenly of heart failure while on a bicycling trip to Birmingham, Ohio, with his two nephews. He was survived by his second wife. Hall's connection with Oberlin College as student and teacher (including service as Registrar of the College, 1901-1903) spanned a period of more than fifty years.

Note written by William E. Bigglestone.

Extent

2.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Oberlin College Library.

Method of Acquisition

The diaries were received by the Oberlin College Library from the estate of Lyman Hall, March 22, 1961. The letters were received by the Archives from the Library in 1969 and 1970, and the diaries in 1983.

Accruals and Additions

Accessions: 73, 96, 1983/032.

Related Materials

For the journal of Lyman Hall's brother, Russell, written when a student in 1863, see RG 21/1, box 6, folder 36. For more information about Lyman Hall, his brothers, and his wives, see their student folders in RG 28.