Simon Fraser MacLennan Papers, 1897-1944 | Oberlin College Archives

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.

MacLennan, Simon Fraser (1870-1938)

Simon Fraser MacLennan was born in Harrison, Ontario, Canada on 18 September 1870 to George and Mary (Currie) MacLennan. George MacLennan was a pastor in the Presbyterian Church and he served several rural community churches. Simon F. MacLennan studied Greek, Latin, and Hebrew in preparation for his entrance exams to the University of Toronto. He received his A.B. from the University of Toronto in 1893, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1897.

He accepted the position of Associate Professor of Philosophy and Pedagogy at Oberlin College in 1897. Except for three short trips to Europe (summer 1899, and 1929-30) and a longer term as secretary with the YMCA attached to the United States Army (1918), he taught at Oberlin College for nearly four decades. He became an emeritus professor in 1933. In addition to philosophy and pedagogy, MacLennan taught courses in comparative religion (Associate professor of psychology and pedagogy, 1897-1900, and professor, 1900-02; professor of psychology, 1902-09; professor of philosophy, 1902-12; and, professor of philosophy and comparative religion, 1912-1933). A highly regarded teacher, Erwin N. Griswold (OC 1925) considered him among the best who taught him during the 1920s.

MacLennan served on Oberlin College committees, including the Committee on Revision of the Curriculum (chair), the Committee on Appointments and Budget, and helped to shape the systems of majors and advisers at the College, and the financial policies of the College. Louis E. Lord observed that MacLennan exerted great influence on the reshaping of the curriculum, and the restructuring of the educational and financial policies of the College (Oberlin Alumni Magazine, June 1, 1938).

MacLennan's writings focused on his research and interest in ethics and morality. Among his writings are The Evolution of Morals (The Four Phases in the Development of Morals (n.d.), and A Functional View of Morals (1929). His work Ethics: A Syllabus (n.d.) was considered a model to be used in the teaching of ethics.

Simon Fraser MacLennan was a naturalized American citizen. He was described by his colleagues and friends as being loyal to his family and his teaching, a keen thinker, and a good mentor for students.

On 23 August 1900 he married Sarah Porter Brown (OC 1899, d. 1950). The couple had three children: Mrs. Janet Fraser Kerr (OC 1926, d. 1980), Sarah Browne MacLennan (OC 1925, d. 1985), and Ronald Fraser MacLennan (OC 1928, d. 1944). Simon F. MacLennan died on 17 May 1938 in Oberlin.

Sources Consulted: Faculty File of Simon Fraser MacLennan, Alumni Records (RG 28), OCA. Student files of Sarah Porter Brown MacLennan, Mrs. Janet Fraser Kerr, Sarah Browne MacLennan, and Ronald Fraser MacLennan, Alumni Records (RG 28), OCA.

Author: Kenneth M. Grossi

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