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Paul L. Holmer Papers

 Collection
Call Number: RG 195

Scope and Contents

The Writings of Holmer in Series I are divided into seven sub-sections: his writings as a student, material related to published and unpublished book-length works, forewords to books, chapters in books, published articles, sermons, and lectures, unpublished essays and lectures, and reviews written by Holmer. In each sub-section dated writings are arranged chronologically, followed by undated works that are arranged alphabetically by title. Holmer published more than 100 articles, many of which are represented here. While an effort has been made to associate unpublished typescript writings with later published versions, there are undoubtedly cases where an association has not been drawn.

The Notes by Holmer contained in Series II are arranged alphabetically by topic or folder title. Most of the notes are undated handwritten sheets, which were received in an unorganized state. Some of the folders of notes contained a range of seemingly unrelated pages, but these "miscellaneous" groupings have been retained intact. Some of the notes are from the era when Holmer was a student while others appear to be notes for lectures, on reading, or preparatory for future writings. Notes for course lectures are primarily in Series III, Course-related Material, but it is likely that some of the notes in Series II were also course-related.

The Course-related Materials in Series III are arranged alphabetically by topic or course title. As noted above, there is overlap between Series II and Series III as it was not always easy to tell whether notes related to courses, lectures, or writings.

Series IV, Correspondence, is arranged chronlogically, dating from 1954 to 1996, with correspondents noted. The correspondence is primarily with Holmer's colleagues, students, publishers, or related to requests for Holmer to speak in various venues.

Series V, Personal Items and Memorabilia, includes biographical information about Holmer, including items from his student days, documentation of speaking engagements and other events attended, articles and interviews, and an obituary.

Series VI, Collected Material, consists primarily of writings by others. Reviews of works by Holmer are not in this series, but rather have been filed in Series I with the relevant work by Holmer. The last several folders in the collection are a very eclectic mixture of materials, which have been retained in the order received; the range of Holmer's interests and his methods of gathering material are reflected in these files.

Dates

  • 1876 - 2004

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Holmer family.

Arrangement

  1. I. Writings
  2. II. Notes
  3. III. Course-related Material
  4. IV. Correspondence
  5. V. Personal Items and Memorabilia
  6. VI. Collected Material

Extent

16 Linear Feet (39 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.195

Abstract

Published and unpublished writings, notes, course-related material, and correspondence of Paul L. Holmer provide insight into his work and thought. Holmer (1916-2004) was Professor of Philosophical Theology at Yale from 1960 to 1987.

Biographical / Historical

1916 Nov 14
Born in Minneapolis, MN, son of Paul E. and Elsie (Johnson) Holmer
1940
B.A., University of Minnesota
1942
M.A., University of Minnesota
1944
Married Phyllis J. Schulberg --- children: Paul, Linnea, Jonathan
1944-1946
Instructor of philosophy at Yale
1946
Ph.D., Yale
1946
Taught at Gustavus Adolphus College
1946-1960
Professor of philosophy at University of Minnesota
1960-1987
Noah Porter Professor of Philosophical Theology, Yale Divinity School
1964-1965
Guggenheim Fellow
1987-2004
Noah Porter Emeritus Professor
2004 Jun 29
Died in St. Paul, MN
Title
Guide to the Paul L. Holmer Papers
Author
Compiled by Meredith Farmer and Martha Lund Smalley
Date
2015
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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