By Kenneth M. Grossi
Title: Simon Fraser MacLennan Papers, 1897-1944
ID: RG 30/031
Primary Creator: MacLennan, Simon Fraser (1870-1938)
Extent: 0.4 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 04/17/1969. More info below under Accruals.
Forms of Material: lecture notes, manuscripts, publications
Languages: English
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 Subseries 1 consists of published and unpublished writings of Simon Fraser MacLennan, including MacLennan's writings and reprints and a typed manuscript for "A Functional View of Morals" (n.d.), a typed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).
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.
Repository: Oberlin College Archives
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
