Walter Rauschenbusch papers, 1913 -- 1914
Collection context
- Creator:
- Rauschenbusch, Walter, 1861-1918
- Abstract:
- Walter Rauschenbusch was a leading scholar of the Social Concern Movement and the Church in America, and taught at the Rochester Theological Seminary. This collection consists of two letters written by Rauschenbusch to Dr. Thomas C. Hall, Professor at Union Theological Seminary, discussing courses and anti-German sentiment after World War I.
- Extent:
- 0.25 linear feet (0.25 linear feet; 1 box)
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
This collection contains two letters from Professor Rauschenbusch to Rev. Dr. Thomas C. Hall, a professor at Union Theological Seminary. The first letter discusses a proposed course on social movements that had an impact on the Church throughout history, including "the communistic ingredients in monastic life, the influence of the agrarian system on the life of the church, and the Christian socialistic group of the Victorian era." The second letter discusses the growing anti-German feelings as a result of World War I.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Professor Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918) was born on Oct. 4, 1861, in Rochester, N.Y., the son of a German missionary, and reared in a pietistic environment. Professor Rauschenbusch is known as the father of the Social Concern Movement in America. Professor Rauschenbusch was educated at the University of Rochester and the Rochester Theological Seminary, where his father was a teacher. From 1891-1892, Rauschenbusch studied economics and theology at the University of Berlin and industrial relations in England, where he became acquainted with the Fabian Society, a British socialist organization. In 1885 Rauschenbusch became pastor of the Second German Baptist Church in New York City's Hell's Kitchen, where he witnessed the stark conditions of unemployment, poverty, malnutrition, and disease that would inspire him "as a minister and student of Christ to act with love by trying to improve social conditions." In 1902 he was appointed Professor of Church History at Rochester Theological Seminary. Rauschenbusch combined his evangelical passion with his new social awareness. His newfound thinking led him to publish his most famous work in 1907 entitled, Christianity and Social Class. Rauschenbusch believed that it was the Church's role to end the injustices of the world, such as poverty, greed, racial pride, exploitation, and war. When World War I started, Rauschenbusch struggled with the anti-German sentiment. Rauschenbusch died in 1918.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is open for research.
The following boxes are located offsite: Box 1. Please note that requests for use of boxes held in offsite storage must be made three business days in advance.
- Terms of access:
-
Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.
- Preferred citation:
-
Item description, UTS 1: Walter Rauschenbusch papers, 1913-1914, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers must book an appointment at least 5 business days in advance to view special collections material in the reading room. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to one item per hour of appointment time.
- Contact:
- burke@library.columbia.edu