Charles W. Ranson Papers

These papers document Ranson's work for ecumenical mission organizations, his work as a theological educator and administrator, and his latter years in a Congregational pastorate. Printed materials and correspondence with individuals such as John R. Mott and John Mackay shed light on the operations and development of the ecumenical missions enterprise, particularly the International Missionary Council and the Theological Education Fund of the World Council of Churches.

The correspondence of Series I is divided into three subsections, reflecting Ranson's system of filing. The Alphabetical Sequence primarily covers the years up to 1967 while the Chronological Sequence covers the years from 1967 to 1979. A Topical Sequence primarily relates to Ranson's speaking and writing engagements. Correspondence related to Ranson's address to the World Council of Churches meeting in Evanston in 1954 has been filed with that address in Series II, Writings. A significant portion of Ranson's professional correspondence is contained in Series V, Organizations Served, particularly in the files for Drew University, the Hartford Seminary Foundation, the Irish Methodist Church, and the Theological Education Fund.

The Writings of Series II are divided into two sections: Articles and Lectures/Sermons. These writings include both published and unpublished material. They are complemented by the Travel Diaries and Notes of Series III, which primarily relate to Ranson's work with the International Missionary Council, and the Notes of Series IV, which primarily relate to his work as a professor.

Series V, Organizations Served, contains a great deal of valuable documentation about the operations and policy of the church and educational organizations that Ranson led. The Yale Divinity Library holds complementary archival material for many of the missions and ecumenical organization with which Ranson was involved.