Frank Hugh Foster Papers, c. 1873-1935
| Oberlin College Archives
Administrative/Biographical History
Frank Hugh Foster, emeritus professor of Church History at the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology, was known as a rigorous and exacting teacher. Awarded a Ph.D. in 1882 by the University of Leipzig (Germany), he was probably the first Oberlin faculty professor to hold a doctoral degree. While studying in Europe, he was introduced to the German Seminar Method, popularized by German historian Leopold von Ranke (1795-1886). Foster brought this new methodical approach to both his private and classroom study at Oberlin. Nationally known as an expert in theology and a student of church history, Foster authored several widely recognized books in these fields.
A New Englander of Puritan ancestry, Frank Hugh Foster, son of William and Mary Flagg (Miller) Foster, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on June 19, 1851. He was educated at the local high school before enrolling at Harvard College (A.B. 1873). Foster taught mathematics at the United States Naval Academy (1873-74), from which he entered Andover Theological Seminary. There he befriended school head Edwards Amasa Park. In 1877, he graduated from Andover and was ordained as a Congregational minister at North Reading, Massachusetts. His service as a minister was brief. In 1881-82 he received a Parker fellowship from Harvard University to study in Germany. In addition to his doctorate from Leipzig, he received the D.O. degree from both Chicago Theological Seminary (1894) and Olivet College (1909). In 1932, Harvard University granted him the honorary degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology.
Professor Foster served on the Oberlin theological faculty during two intervals: 1884-92 and 1926-32. Thirty-four years of teaching elsewhere separated his time at Oberlin. He began his career teaching philosophy at Middlebury College (1882-84), followed by professorships in Church History at Oberlin (1884-92) and Systematic Theology at Pacific Seminary in Berkeley, California (1892-1902). Finding little intellectual stimulation or satisfaction there, he resigned and later moved to Olivet, Michigan where he was Professor of History (1907-16) as well as pastor both at the college and Village Church (1904-07). His activities during 1902-04 are unknown.
After retiring from Olivet in 1916, he returned to live in Oberlin and resumed teaching responsibilities at the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology: homiletics (1917-18), Greek and Hebrew (1926-28), and Biblical and oriental languages (1928-32). In 1919, as a non-resident professor, he taught Biblical Literature at Lake Erie College.
Schooled in classical theology and church history, Professor Foster became one of the leading theological historians of his time. His primary focus was New England theology, which he defined in his ground breaking book, A Genetic History of New England Theology, as America's first indigenous theology and the region of its development as an epicenter of intellectual growth. He attributed its collapse to focusing on externals and neglecting human nature and the inevitable evolution of theology. Dismissing a theology that merely encompasses "a collection of learned lumber," he repeatedly wrote of the need for one rooted in experience, one that acknowledged the new sciences, and their role in shaping doctrine. Addressing the graduating class of the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology in 1932, he spoke as a minister, teacher, and scholar when he advised them to "avoid starched professionalism and to come into direct and easy relations with people."
Professor Foster also contributed to the method of historical research. In his 1888 study manual, The Seminary Method of Original Study in the Historical Sciences: Illustrated from Church History, Foster laid out what became commonly known as the 3" x 5" index card technique of note-taking. The use of 3" x 5" index cards, though originally described by Foster as "loose small sheets of paper, a quarter of a fool's cap page," became standard practice for historical research throughout the twentieth century. For more information on this topic please see the Organization of American Historians Newsletter, 35 (August 2007).
In addition to his teaching and writing, Professor Foster was keenly interested in American and foreign missions. During his first years of teaching at the Oberlin Seminary, he and his first wife, who was the daughter of a missionary to the Zulus, befriended John L. Dube (d. 1946), inviting him into their home and introducing him to Oberlin's Second Congregational Church. Dube attended school in Oberlin in the late 1880s; after returning to South Africa, he served as founding president of the organization that became the African National Congress, established the first Zulu language newspaper, and founded the Ohlange Institute in Inanda.
Foster's interest in missionary work led him to edit and publish Sela G. Wright's important manuscript on the Oberlin Ojibway Mission in 1891. During his years at Olivet College he continued to write and speak with vigor about the missions field.
Frank Hugh Foster was a linguist of unusual abilities. Even at the late age of 76, he learned Arabic. He taught language so successfully at Oberlin that, subsequently, some of his students pursued Arabic studies. While examining and teaching the language and its literature, Foster evolved a theory of the Arabic background for the Book of Job. In 1929, he offered a series of lectures at the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology on the relationship between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All of these activities led him in 1932 to publish A Brief Doctrinal Commentary on the Arabic Koran.
A devoted Congregationalist, Professor Foster actively participated in various religious and professional organizations and societies throughout his career. He served as secretary of the Ohio Church History Society. In May 1910, he spoke on "The Work of a College Church" at the fiftieth anniversary celebration of Second Congregational Church, Oberlin, Ohio. In May 1927, he delivered the keynote address at the annual meeting of the Ohio Conference of the Congregational Church: "Congregational Achievement During the Seventy-Five Years of the Congregational Association of Ohio."
He was a member of the Lansing, Michigan Association of Congregational Churches and later the Medina, Ohio Association.
Foster was married twice. On August 30, 1877, he married Eliza C. Grout, who died in 1912. They had three children: Frederick M., Harold P., and Katharine R. Foster. On November 26, 1913, he married Margaret Tracy Algoe, who died in November 1920. They had no children. His nephew, Frank Hugh Foster (d.1938), attended Oberlin 's Preparatory Department in 1887-89.
After retiring from active teaching in 1932, Frank Hugh Foster continued to live in Oberlin until his death on October 20, 1935.
Sources Consulted
Former faculty file of Frank Hugh Foster, RG 28 Alumni and Development Records.
Frank Hugh Foster Papers (RG 30/103).
Author: Elizabeth Brinkman Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
The materials in this collection document the life and scholarly work of Professor Frank Hugh Foster. His distinguished career, which spanned forty-eight years, began and ended at Oberlin. The collection consists almost entirely of written materials and manuscripts, some of which appear in bound volumes. Frank H. Foster’s interests covered a variety of theological topics as evidenced by the titles in this collection. Also included are over a hundred letters of received correspondence. The collection provides little documentation of the teaching side of Foster’s career.
The collection is arranged in twelve series, some of which are divided into subseries.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series I. Biographical Documentation Files, 1925-35, 1995 (1 folder)
The files in this series were separated from Foster’s faculty file and contain biographical information. The documents consist of newspaper obituaries, as well as the memorial minute adopted by the General Faculty at Oberlin College in 1935. The eight page forward to Foster’s book The Life of Edwards Amasa Park written by Walter Marshall Horton provides a biographical sketch of Frank Foster. Also included in this file is a genealogical inquiry made in 1995 by Foster’s great-granddaughter.
Series II. Letters Received by Frank H. Foster, 1879-1935, n.d. (4 folders)
Includes the numerous correspondence received by Foster over a forty-six year period. The letters from family, former students, and fellow scholars reflect Foster’s interests in church matters.
Series III. Lectures Given by Frank H. Foster, 1886-92, 1916-19, 1929-30, n.d. (5 volumes, 2 folders)
Contains Foster’s lectures on theology and religion, including “History of the Church in America” and “Lectures on the Bible.” The series is further divided into four subseries: “Andover Newton Lectures,” Seminary at Oberlin College, Lake Erie College, and Miscellaneous.
Series IV. Lectures Given by Others, 1875-77 (5 volumes)
This series includes four volumes of lectures by Edwards Amasa Park, of the Andover Theological Seminary, and one volume of homiletics by Professor Austin Phelps.
Series V. Manuscripts, 1917, 1927-28, 1933, n.d. (18 folders)
Contains mostly religious manuscripts or texts concerning Christianity, such as “Meditations and Prayers” and “The Resurrection of Christ.” The series is further subdivided into miscellaneous manuscripts and theological manuscripts.
Series VI. Miscellaneous Theological Notes and Papers, 1873-75, 1883-1902, 1920, 1925, n.d. (7 folders, 2 volumes)
Consists of F.H. Foster’s notes for lectures and papers on theology.
Series VII. Pastoral Records, 1904-07, 1921-23 (1 volume)
This series contains the Pastor’s Register for Foster’s churches in Olivet, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.
Series VIII. Teaching Files, 1884-92 (1 folder)
Consists of Foster’s Register of Classes in the Seminary at Oberlin (1884-92) during his time as a professor of church history.
Series IX. Translations, n.d. (3 folders)
Includes several of Frank H. Foster’s Arabic translations of the works of Ghazzali and Hariri.
Series X. Various Subject Files, 1873-75, 1931-32, n.d. (11 folders, 6 volumes)
The subject files concern a variety of topics, most notably, notes related to Edwards Amasa Park and a typescript of his Biography. Also included are several files related to F.H. Foster’s studies of and writings on the Qur’an.
Series XI. Writings Collected by Oberlin College Archives, 1885-1933 (1 folder)
This series contains one folder of writings by Foster collected by the Oberlin College Archives.
Series XII. Writings Transferred from Special Collections, 1912-1932, n.d. (4 folders)
Includes Foster’s writings that were transferred from Special Collections to the Oberlin College Archives.
INVENTORY
Series I. Biographical Documentation Files, 1925-35, 1995
Box 1
Biographical Information, 1925-35, 1995
Series II. Letters Received by Frank H. Foster, 1879-1935, n.d.
Box 1 (cont.)
Correspondence, 1879-1929 (2f)
Correspondence (includes fragments),
copies of, 1898-1935, n.d. (2f)
Series III. Lectures Given by Frank H. Foster, 1886-92, 1916-19, 1929-30, n.d.
Subseries 1. Andover Newton Lectures, n.d.
Box 1 (cont.)
Andover Newton Lectures, Closing
Lecture, n.d.
Subseries 2. Seminary at Oberlin College, 1886-92, 1929-30, n.d.
Box 1 (cont.)
History of the Church in America,
1886-92 (1 vol.)
Islam (Seminary Lectures), 1929-30 (1 vol.)
New England Theology, Partial Manuscript
of Oberlin Lecture, n.d. (1 vol.)
Subseries 3. Lake Erie College, 1919
Box 2
Lectures on the Bible, 1919 (1 vol.)
Subseries 4. Miscellaneous, 1916-17, n.d.
Box 2 (cont.)
Dante, n.d.
Lectures at Olivet and Oberlin, 1916-17 (1 vol.)
Series IV. Lectures Given by Others, 1875-77
Box 2 (cont.)
Edwards Amasa Park, 1875-76 (4 vol.)
Box 3
Homiletics by Prof. Austin Phelps, 1876-77 (1 vol.)
Series V. Manuscripts, 1917, 1927-28, 1933, n.d.
Subseries 1. Miscellaneous Manuscripts, 1917, 1927-28, 1933, n.d.
Box 3 (cont.)
Congregational Achievement During the 75
Years of the Congregational Association
of Ohio 1852-1927, n.d.
Subseries 2. Theological Manuscripts, n.d.
Box 3 (cont.)
“Was There an Arabic Original of Job?” n.d.
“Do We Need a Soul in Theology?” n.d.
“Evolution Enforces the Love of God,” n.d.
George Holmes Harrison, 1917
Ghazzali's Child, 1933 [see also Series 7,
Translation of Ghazzali's Kind]
“The Gospel According to Thomas: A
Restoration,” n.d.
“The Immortality of the Soul,” n.d.
Meditations and Prayers, n.d.
Box 4
The Mission to Islam, 1928
“The Personality of Jesus, A Psychological
Study,” n.d.
“Proof: How Gained and What,” 1927
“The Rebirth of Theology,” n.d.
The Resurrection of Christ, n.d.
Studies for the Arabic Original of Job, n.d.
“The Theology of Albrect Ritschl,” n.d.
“The Unwritten Gospel According to Thomas
from the MS of Theocritus” (fiction), n.d.
Series VI. Miscellaneous Theological Notes and Papers, 1873-75, 1883-1902, 1920, 1925, n.d.
Box 4 (cont.)
An Outline of the Emergent Theology of Our Time,
handwritten and copy for press, n.d. (2f)
Biblical Theology, Old and New Testaments,
c. 1892-1902
Harari: Ethics and Theology, n.d.
Box 5
Miscellaneous Theological Papers, 1883-99, 1920,
1925, n.d. (2f)
Miscellaneous Typewritten Notes, n.d.
Modern German Theology, 1875 (1 vol.)
Philosophy and Natural Theology, notes, 1873,
1884, 1925 (1 vol.)
Series VII. Pastoral Records, 1904-07, 1921-23
Box 5 (cont.)
Pastor’s Register, Olivet, Michigan and Toledo,
Ohio, 1904-07, 1921-23 (1 vol.)
Series VIII. Teaching Files, 1884-92
Box 6
Register of Classes in the Seminary at Oberlin,
1884-92
Series IX. Translations, n.d.
Box 6 (cont.)
Ghazzali’s Kind, n.d.
Ghazzali on Repentance, n.d.
My Own Translation of Hariri’s Assemblies, n.d.
Series X. Various Subject Files, 1873-75, 1931-32, n.d.
Box 6 (cont.)
Arabic Bible, Notes on the Beirut Edition, n.d.
Sketches in Arabic Literature, n.d.
Christian Doctrine History, n.d. (2 vols.)
Box 7
Church History, General, n.d. (1 vol.)
Evolution, notes, n.d. (1 vol.)
First Crossing of the Ruba el Khali by a European,
The New York Times Magazine, May 1931
Biography of Mary Flagg M. Foster, n.d.
Hebrew Bible and Greek Testament, notes,
1873-74 (1 vol.)
Edwards Amasa Park, notes, n.d. (2f)
Box 8
Edwards Amasa Park’s Biography, typescript, n.d.
Psychology lectures, 1875 (1 vol.)
Qur’an (4f)
Arabic synonyms with special reference to
those in the Qur’an, 1932
Used Notes for “Synonyms in the Qur’an,” n.d.
Dictionary to the Qur’an, by F.H. Foster et al., n.d.
Notes on the Amadiyah Translation of the
Qur’an, n.d.
Series XI. Writings Collected by Oberlin College Archives, 1885-1933
Box 8 (cont.)
Writings collected by Archives, printed,
1885-1933 (span)
Series XII. Writings Transferred from Special Collections, 1912-1932, n.d. [acc. 2001/94]
Box 9
“Congregational Achievement During the Seventy-five
Years of the Congregational Association of Ohio
1852-1927,” Ohio Congregational News,
Vol. 20 (8), August 1927.
“Effect of German Educational Philosophy upon American
Universities (Doktorjubilaum Address on the
Thirtieth Anniversary of the Doktorexamen),”
Olivet College Bulletin, Vol. 12 (3), October 1912
“Is the Book of Job a Translation from an Arabic Original?”
American Journal of Semitic Languages and
Literature, Vol. XLIX, no. 1, October 1932
“Mohammed’s Evangel,” The Moslem World, Vol.
22 (1), January 1932
“Sketch of Oberlin’s Theological History," n.d.
“Some Theistic Implications of Bergson’s Philosophy,”
American Journal of Theology, Vol. 22 (2),
April 1918
Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Session of Medina Association
of Congregational Churches and Ministers, Medina,
Ohio, April 1927. Includes “The Story of the Medina
Association, 1852-1889,” by F.H. Foster
Otto, Rudolph. India’s Religion of Grace and Christianity
Compared and Contrasted (translated by F.H. Foster).
London: Student Christian Movement Press, 1930.
Includes letter from Dr. Otto to the Translator,
in German