Forman Family Papers

This collection provides valuable insight on the life and work of three generations of an American Presbyterian missionary family. These personal papers complement the information found in the archives of the Presbyterian Mission Board found in Film Ms. 11.

Series I, Family Correspondence, is primarily the correspondence of Charles William Forman, dating from 1842 until his death in 1894. Additional early correspondence of to and from Charles Wiliam Forman's parents and siblings provides interesting detail on the family and on life in Kentucky from as early as 1808. The early letters of Charles William Forman are written from Kentucky and Princeton, New Jersey, prior to his going to India in 1847. Letters to his mother and siblings from 1847 to 1884, as well as regular letters to his children from 1878 to 1894, describe his life and work in India. Added in 2011 are several letters of Sarah (Sallie) Taylor Forman, second wife of Henry Forman, written on her voyage to India and from Gwalior.

Series II, General Correspondence, is primarily the non-family correspondence of Charles William Forman, but also includes non-family correspondence of Henry and other family members. The elder Forman's correspondence with Dr. Irving, Dr. Gillespie, and Dr. Lowrie from 1851 to 1886 consists of typed report letters to the Foreign Mission Board detailing the progress of Forman's work in India and issues related to the health and support of his family.

Series III, Research Materials and Notes, includes documentation gathered and notes written by Charles William Forman and Henry Forman about the Presbyterian mission in India and the life of Charles William Forman. The Writings of Henry Forman in Series IV are largely drawn from these materials and include an unpublished biography of Charles William Forman, material related to the mission in Lahore, the Indian Famine Commission, and reconstruction efforts of the North India Mission.

Series V, Personal Items and Memorabilia, includes biographical information related to Charles William and Henry Forman; material related to Charles W., son of Henry and grandson of Charles William, is found in Series VII.

Series VI, Material Related to Forman Christian College, includes booklets and other publications related to the College.

Series VII, Papers of Charles W. Forman (1916-), is divided into six sub-series: Writings, Organizational Activities, Material Related to Communism, Collected Material, Biographical Information, and Slides. The Writings include both published and unpublished articles, papers, drafts, and lectures. The Organizational Activities document Forman's work with the Foundation for Theological Education in Southeast Asia, the Theological Education Fund, COEMAR, and the International Missionary Council. See "Intellectual Trajectories" - the transcript of autobiographical talk given at Henry Koerner Center for Emeritus Faculty at Yale for an overview of Forman's work.

Series VIII is an addendum that includes material related to Charles William Forman, John Newton Forman, Mary P. Forman, and the March family.