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Raymond Philip Morris Papers

 Collection
Call Number: RG 80

Scope and Contents

These papers date primarily from 1955 to 1975 and document Morris's long professional career as head librarian of the Yale Divinity School Library and prominent leader in the field of theological librarianship. The materials in this collection were selected for inclusion by Morris.

Series I, Correspondence, includes five folders of family correspondence. The remainder is general correspondence with librarians, faculty members, funding agencies, and church leaders. Morris was a widely known advisor for theological libraries and this role is reflected in the correspondence. Additional correspondence related to specific projects and committees is contained in Series III.

Series II, Writings, contains articles, papers, sermons, and addresses by Morris. Most of Morris's writings dealt with theological education and libraries. Though not ordained, Morris was an active member of the Methodist Church and frequently gave sermons in area churches. Also of interest are the various tributes to Yale Divinity School faculty that Morris delivered at memorial services for them.

Series III includes representative documentation of Morris's involvement in various facets of theological education and librarianship.

Series IV, Biographical Material, provides a small glimpse into the personal life and warm personality of Raymond P. Morris. Of particular interest are five audio cassette tapes, which include reminiscences by Jean Morris. Circular letters from the Morrises, found in Series I, also provide biographical documentation.

Dates

  • 1923-1994

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Morris family.

Arrangement

  1. I. Correspondence
  2. II. Writings
  3. III. Professional Activities/Committees/Projects
  4. IV. Biographical Material

Related Materials

Documentation of Morris's work with the American Theological Library Association is supplemented by YDSL Record Group No. 81, Records of the ATLA Library Development Project. Documentation related to the China Records Project and the Yale Divinity School Library is supplemented by YDSL Record Group No. 92, Archives of the Yale Divinity School Library (contact Divinity Special Collections staff for access: divinity.specialcoll@yale.edu). Files relating to the Divinity School are complemented by records in YDSL Record Group No. 53, Yale Divinity School Memorabilia. Materials on the Mott Biography Project are related to documentation of biographer C. Howard Hopkins in the John R. Mott Papers, YDSL Record Group No. 45.

Extent

7.5 Linear Feet (16 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/divinity.080

Overview

The papers document Morris's long professional career as head librarian of the Yale Divinity School Library and prominent leader in the field of theological librarianship. Raymond Philip Morris (1904-1990) was head librarian of the Yale Divinity School Library from 1932 to 1972.

Biographical / Historical

1904 March 16
Born in Garnett, Kansas to Charles Elmer and Margaret Ann (Riley) Morris
1926
B.A. Baker University
1928
Married Jean Louise Kelly (Children: Thelma Jean, Marcia Louise, Raymond Philip)
1929
B.D. Garrett Biblical Institute
1930
B.S. Columbia University
1931-1932
Librarian, Garrett Biblical Institute
1932
M.S. Columbia University
1932-1934
Assistant Librarian, Yale Divinity School
1934-1972
Librarian, Yale Divinity School
1941-1949
Assistant Professor of Religious Literature, Yale Divinity School
1949-1951
Associate Professor, Yale Divinity School
1951
M.A. (honorary) Yale University
1951-1972
Professor, Yale Divinity School
1952
D.Litt. Baker University
1965
D.D. Drake University
1990 October 21
Died
Title
Guide to the Raymond Philip Morris Papers
Author
Compiled by Brad C. Pohlman and Martha Lund Smalley
Date
1994, 2002
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared According To Local Divinity Library Descriptive Practices
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Yale Divinity Library Repository

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