By Kenneth M. Grossi
Title: Simon Fraser MacLennan Papers, 1897-1944
ID: RG 30/031
Creator: MacLennan, Simon Fraser (1870-1938)
Extent: 0.4 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 04/17/1969
Languages: English [eng]
The Papers of Simon Fraser MacLennan document MacLennan's career as a teacher and scholar. The biographical information (Series 1) contains only brief information of his personal life, with more emphasis on his professional activities. The collection does illustrate MacLennan's scholarly interests and his teaching. The instructional files contain detailed syllabi for the teaching of ethics, and voluminous notes concerning comparative religions. The writings series illustrate MacLennan's interest in morals, philosophy, and religion.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
The collection is divided into the following series: 1. Biographical File; 2. Instructional Files; and, 3. Writings.
Series 1. Biographical File, 1917-18, 1933, 1936, 1938, 1944 (1 Folder)
The biographical information for Simon Fraser MacLennan includes photocopies of articles from The Oberlin News-Tribune, The Oberlin Review, and The Oberlin Alumni Magazine. A copy of a faculty biographical form for Simon F. MacLennan is contained in the folder. In addition, there is a reprint of an article concerning the career of Ronald Fraser MacLennan, son of Simon F. MacLennan.
Series 2. Instructional Files, n.d. (5 Folders)
This series consists of typescript copies of syllabi written by Simon Fraser MacLennan for the teaching of courses in Ethics. Also included are handwritten notes used for courses in Comparative Religion, including Japanese religions, religions of India, and Mohammedanism.
Series 3. Writings, 1897, 1911, 1929, 1932, n.d. (9 Folders)
The writings are divided into two subseries: Subseries 1. Writings by Simon Fraser MacLennan; and, Subseries 2. Writings of Other Authors. Subseries 1 consists of published and unpublished writings of Simon Fraser MacLennan, including MacLennan's writings and reprints and a typed manuscript for "A Functional View of Morals" (n.d.), a typed manuscript and a bound volume of "Four Phases in the Development of Morals" (n.d.), and a typed manuscript of "John Bull's Navy" (n.d.). Subseries 2 contains a reprint of the article titled "A Philosopher-King: Justice Holmes", by James H. Tufts (1932).
Accruals:
Accessions: 75.
Access Restrictions:
Unrestricted.
Acquisition Method:
The Papers of Simon Fraser MacLennan were transferred from the Oberlin College Library to the Oberlin College Archives on 17 April 1969.
Related Materials:
For additional information see "Scientism Versus Moralism: The Emergence of the Social Sciences at Oberlin College, 1880-1920," by Susan Haskell, 1995 (in Student Papers, RG 19/5). See also From Evangelicalism to Progressivism at Oberlin College, 1866-1917 by John Barnard (1969) for MacLennan's views on religion.
Finding Aid Revision History:
Processed by Kenneth M. Grossi, 1998. Revised June 2010 by Archives Staff
