Edgar Simmons Buchanan papers, 1890 -- 1950

Collection context

Creator:
Buchanan, E. S (Edgar Simmons), 1872-1932
Abstract:
E. S. (Edgar Simmons) Buchanan (1872-1932) was an Anglican minister, author, lecturer, and teacher. This collection contains correspondence largely relating to Buchanan's research into early Gospel manuscripts and his teaching career, as well as correspondence of a more social nature; material relating to Buchanan's writings and research on early Biblical manuscripts, ESB's writings about his research, papers associated with Bridport, England Reading Society, and other various writings including sermons, poetry, and autobiographical writings; clippings that relate to Buchanan's scholarly publications and publisher's notices announcing publication of Buchanan's books; as well as personal materials and legacy processing information.
Extent:
6.75 linear feet (6.75 linear feet; 14 boxes)
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence largely relating to Buchanan's research into early Gospel manuscripts and his teaching career, as well as correspondence of a more social nature; material relating to Buchanan's writings and research on early Biblical manuscripts, ESB's writings about his research, papers associated with Bridport, England Reading Society, and other various writings including sermons, poetry, and autobiographical writings; clippings that relate to Buchanan's scholarly publications and publisher's notices announcing publication of Buchanan's books; as well as personal materials and legacy processing information.

Biographical / historical:

Edgar Simmons Buchanan was a scholar of early Biblical manuscripts and an Anglican Church minister. He was born in Southampton, England on May 6th, 1872 to John Edgar Buchanan and Elizabeth May Saunders. When Buchanan was four, the family moved to New Zealand where he grew up. Buchanan graduated from University of New Zealand with an M.A. and B.Sc. In 1896 he returned to England where he attended Theological College in Salisbury. The College was headed by Bishop Wordsworth for whom Buchanan worked as his pupil and assistant. Their close relationship lasted until Bishop Wordsworth's death in 1911. After being ordained in 1897 Buchanan served as a curate in a number of churches in England and on the continent. During this period he also studied early Biblical manuscripts in libraries in London, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Milan, and Verona. He published numerous articles and books based on his research. In 1914, Buchanan came to New York and stayed in the United States for the rest of his life. In the United States Buchanan continued working on early Biblical manuscripts, as well as teaching and lecturing, including teaching at Columbia University. In 1915 Buchanan became a Curator of Manuscripts in the Hispanic Society of America. While working there, he began studying a manuscript belonging to Archer Milton Huntington, the founder of the Hispanic Society (referred to as the Huntington Palimpsest). Buchanan announced that the manuscript was a palimpsest and declared that the erased text constituted the earliest, previously unknown version of the Gospels. He dated the erased text to the 2nd century AD and claimed that the text was very distinct from the traditional Bible as it was known and that the newly discovered text revolutionized our understanding of Christ and Christianity. Buchanan prepared the text for publication and was working on correcting the proofs when the owner of the manuscript started having doubts about the validity of Buchanan's findings. Other scholars disagreed with Buchanan's assertions and the type of the book was broken up and it was never published in the United States. Buchanan published it later in England. Subsequent to the controversy with the Huntington Palimpsest, Buchanan continued to fight for recognition of his discoveries, writing letters to other scholars, to the media, and even to Pope Pius XI, who Buchanan met prior to his election while they were doing Biblical research in Italian Libraries. Buchanan supported England during WWI and the archive holds correspondence with the English government and benevolent societies reflecting that association. Later Buchanan taught at a number of private schools. He continued to do research and publish. He also lectured around the country. In 1930 Buchanan fell sick and sailed to Australia at his doctor's advice, where he died on August 19th, 1932.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

The following boxes are located offsite: entire collection except Series 2 Box 9 OS. Please note that requests for use of boxes held in offsite storage must be made three business days in advance.

Terms of access:

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Preferred citation:

Item description, UTS1: Edgar Simmons Buchanan papers, series #, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:
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