Herbert G. May Papers, 1923, 1926-1978, undated | Oberlin College Archives

By William E. Bigglestone

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Collection Overview

Title: Herbert G. May Papers, 1923, 1926-1978, undated

ID: RG 30/046

Primary Creator: May, Herbert G. (1904-1977)

Extent: 13.46 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I. Biographical Files, 1936-77, undated (14f and 29 appointment books)

This series contains biographical information about Herbert G. May, including personal files that pertain to his sabbaticals, appointments, engagements, and memorial services.

Series II. Files Relating to the Bible (Co-Editor), 1935-76, undated

This series is divided into the following subseries: Subseries I. Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible and Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, and Subseries II. Oxford University Press and Society of Biblical Literature.

Subseries I. Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible and Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, 1946-71, undated

This subseries includes committee files, correspondence, maps, illustrations, commentaries and articles pertaining to the Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible and the Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible.

Subseries II. Oxford University Press and Society of Biblical Literature, 1935-76, undated

This subseries consists of files relating to May's position as co-editor for a release under Oxford University Press, and as a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.

Series III. Committee Files: Standard Bible Committee (SBC), and Revised Standard Version (RSV), 1923, 1931-77, undated

The Standard Bible Committee and the Revised Standard Version files consist of general board matters and correspondence, including May's positions on the executive committees. Included is also a draft of May's edition of the Revised Standard Version.

Series IV. Correspondence, 1927-78

This series consists of general correspondence arranged in chronological order, and correspondence with students, personal correspondence and professional correspondence arranged in alphabetical order.

Series V. Departmental Files Relating to the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology (GST), 1934-56, 1958-76

The departmental files of the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology primarily consist of annual reports to Oberlin College, correspondence with the Department of Religion and Vanderbilt Divinity School, and departmental matters.

Series VI. Instructional Files, 1934-66, undated

This series contains class lecture notes, syllabi, quizzes, exams, and grade books for May's "History of Archaeology and Research" and "Old Testament Literature" courses. The grade books are restricted.

Series VII. Printed Matter, 1944-76

This series consists of two folders of printed matter relating to the career of Herbert G. May.

Series VIII. Sermons and Chapel Talks, 1930-69, 1972-74, undated

Consists of May's chapel talks dating from the 1930s-40s, and his sermons delivered from 1930-69 and 1972-74.

Series IX. Topical Files, 1930s-78, undated

Consists of both professional and personal miscellaneous topical files arranged in alphabetical order.

Series X. Writings, 1934-78, undated

The writings files include two bibliographies of publication, book reviews, reprints of articles, and miscellaneous manuscript drafts, including "Festschrift" and "New Century Bible."

Series XI. Photographs, 1926-76, undated

The photographic series consists of prints, negatives and lantern slides. Six (6) small packets contain negatives taken by Mrs. Helen May during the archeological expeditions to Megiddo in the 1930s. Other negatives and prints used in publications and for instructional purposes are filed in this series. In the spring of 2005, Kate Lansky provided additional information concerning the photographs series.

Box 1 contains two (2) photographs of Herbert May, one taken in c.1930s, and the other in 1976 at the Oberlin College commencement exercises. Also included are photographs and maps of the Megiddo archaeological dig site, including the actual expedition and the mounds of earth moved from the site, and 26 photographs from Megiddo publications. The majority of these photographs are included in the glass lantern slide collection held by the Oberlin College Library Special Collections Department. All images in this folder are either published in book form or are a part of the lantern slide collection.A separate file contains a variety of clippings taken from larger photographs. Most likely these were used to make some of the teaching slides in the collection. A letter from the Tuskegee institute and a photograph of an event held in celebration of the completed Standard Revised Bible are included. Many of the images are of pottery shards and whole pots. Other images depict people and clothing from Palestine, threshing wheat earth mounds (including Tell el-Sultan, Mugharet el-wad, Et-tabun), the Mount of Temptations, the wilderness of Judea, Jerusalem from the hill, and the Dome of the Rock. Also included is the Palestine slide list, as well as a page of notes and phone numbers.

Oversize Box holds photographs from accession 2017/001, consisting of one oversize photograph of Herbert May, one of K. Kenyon at Jericho, two unidentified male portraits, and a large transparency with an image from a publication. Negatives from that accession are in Box 3.

Boxes 2, 3, and 4 contain negatives, which were originally contained in either leather cases or in old cardboard boxes. Some of the images depict images of Oberlin, tourists, the Megiddo site, and those taken of the boat crossing to Palestine

Date Acquired: 06/01/1970. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Bible--Old Testament--Criticism, interpretation, etc, Bible--Study and teaching, May, Herbert G. (Herbert Gordon), 1904-1977--Archives, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, Oberlin College--Graduate School of Theology--Faculty, Palestine--Antiquities--Study and teaching, Vanderbilt University--Divinity School--Faculty

Forms of Material: appointment books, glass plate negatives, lecture notes, letters (correspondence), manuscripts, maps, photographs - lantern slides, photographs - negatives (photographic), photographs - photographic prints, publications, records (documents), research (document genres), sermons, speeches, syllabi

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The papers of Herbert G. May consist of instructional files, correspondence, writings, committee files, files relating to the Bible, files relating to the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology, sermons and chapel talks, and photographs. These papers document May’s distinguished career as teacher and theologian, Biblical translator, cartographer, and linguist. The biographical materials and the extensive correspondence series (professional and personal) provide many examples of the respect and acclaim that May received from colleagues, former students, and friends.

May’s career as a teacher is well documented in the series of instructional files. This series consists of files relating to a wide range of courses taught by May, including Archaeology, Old Testament, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. As a faculty member in the Graduate School of Theology (GST), May maintained files relating to matters associated with GST. These files include materials relating to the closing of the school in Oberlin and the transfer of the program to Vanderbilt University in 1966.

The Herbert May Papers also consist of files relating to his contributions to the Revised Standard Version Bible Committee [originally the Standard Bible Committee], The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, and the Oxford Bible Atlas and Annotated Bible and Apocrypha. These files, along with a wide range of topical files, document May’s extensive research relating to the Bible, religion, and archaeology with assistance form other Biblical scholars.

The photographic series consists of photographs and negatives relating to publications and archaeological works of May. Of particular note are the six brown and maroon packets containing negatives relating to a trip to Megiddo (present-day Israel) as part of the University of Chicago’s archaeological expedition in the 1930s. According to a scholar who visited the College Archives in 2003, the packets were compiled by Mrs. Helen May. Also contained in this series are negatives and prints used for instructional purposes and publications such as The Interpreter’s Bible.

The Herbert G. May Papers are divided into the following eleven series: I. Biographical Files, II. Files Relating to the Bible (Co-Editor), III. Committee Files: The Standard Bible Committee (SBC) and Revised Standard Version (RSV), IV. Correspondence, V. Departmental Files Relating to The Oberlin Graduate School of Theology (GST), VI. Instructional Files, VII. Printed Matter, VIII. Sermons and Chapel Talks, IX. Topical Files, X. Writings, and XI. Photographs.

Collection Historical Note

Herbert Gordon May, the son of Charles Leon and Mabel Maria (Cottrill) May, was born December 26, 1904 in Fairhaven, Vermont. May was an internationally recognized linguist, cartographer, Biblical translator, and theologian. Between 1934 and 1966, he was a professor of Old Testament Language and Literature at the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology (GST).

A graduate of Wesleyan University (1927), he received a Ph. D. from the University of Chicago (1934), B.D. from Chicago Theological Seminary (1930), and D.D. from Wesleyan University (1952). During the 1930s, as a graduate fellow, he was part of the University of Chicago archeological expedition to the Megiddo in Palestine (modern-day Israel), 1931-1934, and later he was involved in archeological, historical and geographical research in Greece and other parts of the Middle East. Subsequently, he joined Oberlin 's GST faculty, and was honored as a Charles G. Finney Professor of Old Testament Languages and Literature in 1946. After the Graduate School of Theology was transferred to Vanderbilt University, he held a joint professorship at Vanderbilt and Oberlin from 1966 until his retirement in 1970. Post-retirement, he taught at Yale Divinity School and Oberlin College.

Dr. May was a member of the Revised Standard Version Bible Committee [originally the Standard Bible Committee], Division of Education and Ministry of the National Council of Churches of Christ of the U.S.A., 1945-1977. He was chairman of the Committee, 1966-1976, and head of its Old Testament section from 1960 until his death. He was coeditor of the Oxford Bible Atlas and the Oxford Annotated Bible and Apocrypha, and one of four associate editors of the Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible. He was author of Our English Bible in the Making, Ezekiel: Introduction and Exegesis, and Material Remains of the Megiddo Cult. Dr. May's published works numbered over 200 items. In terms of his service to the wider profession, he was past president of the American Oriental Society, Midwest Branch, 1947-1948, and the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis, 1961-1962, and held membership in a number of other organizations.

In 1928 Dr. May married Helen Porter (1902-1977). They had two children: Gola Joyce Kina (b. 1933) and Helen Emily (b. 1941). Professor May was both liked and respected. At Oberlin College where the term "Dr." is rarely used in referring to a professor, he was known by that title while some of those close to him addressed him as "Uncle Herbie." In appreciation of this life and work, Oberlin College established the Herbert Gordon May Lecture. Dr. May died in Jacksonville, Florida on October 7, 1977.

SOURCES CONSULTED

William E. Bigglestone's unpublished "[preliminary] Guide to the Oberlin College Archives," which was prepared as individual entry sheets in a three-ring binder during the early 1980s.

Faculty file of Herbert G. May, Alumni and Development Records (RG 28/3).

Subject/Index Terms

Bible--Old Testament--Criticism, interpretation, etc
Bible--Study and teaching
May, Herbert G. (Herbert Gordon), 1904-1977--Archives
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America
Oberlin College--Graduate School of Theology--Faculty
Palestine--Antiquities--Study and teaching
Vanderbilt University--Divinity School--Faculty

Administrative Information

Repository: Oberlin College Archives

Accruals: Accession Nos: 111, 1978/011, 1978/037, 2017/001.

Access Restrictions: Series VI. Instructional Files, Box 3 restricted.

Acquisition Method: A majority of the papers were received in 1978 (1978/11) as a gift from Dr. May's two daughters via Mrs. Harriet Reynolds (Dr. May's secretary). A small portion was given to the Archives directly by Dr. May himself or by Mrs. Reynolds (Accession no. 111 and 1978/37). A small amount of photographic material was transferred from the Religion Department in 2017.

Related Materials: Records of the Graduate School of Theology 1841(1923-66)-1984 (RG 11); and the faculty file of Herbert G. May (RG 28/3). For materials relating to an Archaeological Dig that Herbert G. May participated in, see the Clarence Ward Papers (30/158). See also the H.G. May Archeology of Palestine Collection in Special Collections at http://www.oberlin.edu/library/special/religion/may.html, or the digital collection at http://cdm15963.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/palestine. For more information please see http://www.oberlin.edu/library/special/religion/may.html.

Finding Aid Revision History: Processed by William E. Bigglestone. Revised by Ellie Leonhardt, April 1999; Archives Staff, August 2001. Additional revisions by May Tran with assistance from Ken Grossi, April and June 2004; Kate Lansky provided additional description for the photographic series, May-June 2005. Revised by Archives staff, October 2013 and January 2017.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series I: Biographical Files],
[Series II: Files Relating to the Bible (Co-Editor)],
[Series III: Committee Files: Standard Bible Committee (SBC) and Revised Standard Version (RSV)],
[Series IV: Correspondence],
[Series V: Departmental Files Relating to the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology (GST)],
[Series VI: Instructional Files],
[Series VII: Printed Matter],
[Series VIII: Sermons and Chapel Talks],
[Series IX: Topical Files],
[Series X: Writings],
[Series XI: Photographs],
[All]

Series I: Biographical Files

Box 1

Folder 1: Appointments and Engagements, 1972-1973
Folder 2: Memorials, 1977
Folder 3: Oberlin College Commencement–Honorary Degree, 1975
Folder 4: Personal File, 1971-1977
Folder 5: Printed Biographical Matter, undated
Folder 6: Printed Biographical Matter, undated
Folder 7: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 8: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 9: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 10: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 11: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 12: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 13: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 14: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 15: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 16: Sabbatical, 1966-1967
Folder 17: Sabbatical, 1966-1967

Box 2

Item 1: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 2: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 3: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 4: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 5: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 6: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 7: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 8: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 9: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 10: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 11: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 12: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 13: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 14: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 15: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 16: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 17: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 18: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 19: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 20: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 21: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 22: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 23: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 24: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 25: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 26: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 27: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 28: Appointment Books, 1936-1976
Item 29: Appointment Books, 1936-1976

Series II: Files Relating to the Bible (Co-Editor)

Subseries 1: Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible and Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible

Box 1

Folder 1: Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Editorial Board, 1955-1957
Folder 2: Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Committee Minutes and Reports, 1955-1960
Folder 3: Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Committee, Release–News, Talking Points, 1966-1967
Folder 4: Correspondence, William F. Albright, 1959-1965
Folder 5: Correspondence, Denis A. Baly, 1958-1959
Folder 6: Correspondence, Pat Beaird, 1954-1959
Folder 7: Correspondence, Harrell Beck, 1959-1960
Folder 8: Correspondence, F.S. Bodenheimer, 1956-1960
Folder 9: Correspondence, Louis Belligner, 1956-1961
Folder 10: Correspondence, Emorys Bucke, 1957-1966
Folder 11: Correspondence, Millar Burrows, 1956-1960
Folder 12: Correspondence, George Buttrick, 1955-1961
Folder 13: Correspondence, Cokesbury, 1946-1966
Folder 14: Correspondence, Mark Dresden, 1956-1962
Folder 15: Correspondence, Gordon Duncan, 1955-1964, undated
Folder 16: Correspondence, Gordon Duncan, 1955-1964, undated
Folder 17: Correspondence, Gordon Duncan, 1955-1964, undated
Folder 18: Correspondence, Gordon Duncan, 1955-1964, undated
Folder 19: Correspondence, Karl D. Elliger, 1956-1963
Folder 20: Correspondence, Kurt Galling, 1957-1960
Folder 21: Correspondence, Moshe Greenberg, 1957-1958
Folder 22: Correspondence, Robert W. Hamilton, 1956-1960
Folder 23: Correspondence, J. Pennrose Harland, undated
Folder 24: Correspondence, Cecil Jones, 1955-1965
Folder 25: Correspondence, Cecil Jones, 1955-1965
Folder 26: Correspondence, Cecil Jones, 1955-1965
Folder 27: Correspondence, Avrid Kapelrud, 1956-1961
Folder 28: Correspondence, Thomas Kepler, 1956-1961
Folder 29: Correspondence, "L", 1956-1961
Folder 30: Correspondence, "M-N", 1956-1959
Folder 31: Correspondence, Herbert May, 1957
Folder 32: Correspondence, C.C. McCowan, 1958
Folder 33: Correspondence, Julian Morgenstein, 1956-1960
Folder 34: Correspondence, Harry and Palmony Orlinsky, Yaaqov, 1956
Folder 35: Correspondence, "O-P", 1956-1960
Folder 36: Correspondence, James B. Pritchard, 1957-1964
Folder 37: Correspondence, "R-S", 1956-1962
Folder 38: Correspondence, Isaac Rabinowitz, 1956-1957
Folder 39: Correspondence, William L. Reed, 1956-1960
Folder 40: Correspondence, J.A. Sanders and R.F. and W.F. Stinespring, 1956-1964
Folder 41: Correspondence, V.A. Thompson, 1957-1961
Folder 42: Correspondence, Olga Tufnell, 1959-1960
Folder 43: Correspondence, A.J. Vroman, 1958-1959
Folder 44: Correspondence, Yigael Yadin and Michael Zohary, 1956-1960
Folder 45: Wall Map, Ancient Near East Before Exodus, 1964-1965
Folder 46: Wall Map, Assyrian Empire, 1965
Folder 47: Wall Maps, Correspondence, 1962-1966
Folder 48: Wall Map, Cradle and Christianity, 1964-1965
Folder 49: Wall Map, Exodus, 1965-1966
Folder 50: Wall Map, Palestine, 1965
Folder 51: Wall Map, Palestine in New Testament, Old Testament, and Other, 1965-1966
Folder 52: Wall Map, Persian Empire, 1965-1966
Folder 53: Wall Map, Slide List, undated
Folder 54: Wall Map, Text, 1966
Folder 55: Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, Commentary on the Bible, 1963-1969
Folder 56: Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, Credits and Captions, 1971
Folder 57: Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, Fertile Crescent, 1969
Folder 58: Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, Galleys, 1966-1969
Folder 59: Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, Greece and Rome, 1967
Folder 60: Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, Illustrations, etc., 1963-1967
Folder 61: Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, Illustrations, etc., 1965-1971
Folder 62: Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, Old Testament World and People, 1966-1967
Folder 63: Interpreter's One Volume of the Bible, Ruth, 1963-1966

Subseries 2: Oxford University Press and Society of Biblical Literature

Box 2

Folder 1: Oxford Bible Atlas, undated
Folder 2: Oxford Bible Atlas, undated
Folder 3: Ancient Near East, Assyrian Empire, undated
Folder 4: Ancient Near East, Babylonian Empire, undated
Folder 5: Ancient Near East, Before the Exodus, 1959
Folder 6: Ancient Near East, Hellenistic Empire, 1958
Folder 7: Archaeology, 1958-1968
Folder 8: Canaan in the Pentateuch, undated
Folder 9: Charts of Introduction, 1958-1959
Folder 10: Correspondence with Mary Denniston, 1958-1960
Folder 11: Concerning Editorship, Jacket, Title Page, etc., 1966-1974
Folder 12: Illustrations, 1959-1961
Folder 13: Introduction, 1958-1960
Folder 14: Maps, 1969-1973
Folder 15: New Testament, 1958-1959
Folder 16: N. Regions, Rainfall, Vegetation, 1958-1959
Folder 17: Jerusalem, 1956
Folder 18: Palestine, After the Exile, 1957
Folder 19: Palestine, Israel and Judah, 1956
Folder 20: Palestine, Joshua to Saul, 1956-1959
Folder 21: Palestine, Judah, 1956-1959
Folder 22: Palestine, Old Testament, 1959
Folder 23: Palestine, Trade Routes, undated
Folder 24: Palestine, United Monarchy, 1954-1955
Folder 25: Palestine, Persian Empire, 1957-1958
Folder 26: Palestine, Requests for Illustrations, 1959-1962
Folder 27: Palestine, Revision, 1962-1969
Folder 28: Annotated Apocrypha, 1963-1965
Folder 29: Budgetary Publishers Relations, 1967-1969
Folder 30: Commentary, 1961
Folder 31: Correspondence, David Brickmore Hunt, 1957-1973
Folder 32: Correspondence, Arthur Jeffery, 1958-1959
Folder 33: Correspondence, Wilbur Ruggles, 1964-1970
Folder 34: Maps, 1969-1971
Folder 35: Preface–Metzger, 1975-1976
Folder 36: World Wall Map, 1965-1971
Folder 37: Oxford Gazetteer, 1957-1962
Folder 38: Oxford University Press, 1966-1974
Folder 39: Oxford University Press, 1966-1974
Folder 40: Society of Biblical Literature, Centennial Meeting, 1973
Folder 41: Society of Biblical Literature, Council Meeting, 1968
Folder 42: Society of Biblical Literature, Meetings, 1968-1972
Folder 43: Society of Biblical Literature, Toronto Meeting, 1969
Folder 44: Society of Biblical Literature, Draft Letters to Nominating Committee, 1969-1970
Folder 45: Society of Biblical Literature, Robert Frank and Nominating Committee, 1969-1970
Folder 46: Society of Biblical Literature, Nominating Committee, 1969-1970

Series III: Committee Files: Standard Bible Committee (SBC) and Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Box 1

Folder 1: Standard Bible Committee, 1963-1970
Folder 2: Standard Bible Committee, Arrangements for Chairmanship of Professor May, 1962-1967
Folder 3: Standard Bible Committee, Chairmanship, 1965-1971
Folder 4: Standard Bible Committee, Bob Denton, Vice Chairperson, 1974-1975
Folder 5: Standard Bible Committee Minutes, 1943-1972
Folder 6: Standard Bible Committee Minutes, 1945-1951: Regarding Old Testament section.
Folder 7: Standard Bible Committee Minutes, 1974: Regarding task force and critique.
Folder 8: Standard Bible Committee, Imprint Editions, 1967-1968
Folder 9: Standard Bible Committee, Memos, 1923 November 23
Folder 10: Standard Bible Committee, Weigle and Metzger Suggestions, 1960
Folder 11: Standard Bible Committee, Weigle, etc., 1968-1970
Folder 12: Revised Standard Version Committee, Carter-Swain Article, 1972-1973
Folder 13: Revised Standard Version Committee, Catholic Acceptance, undated
Folder 14: Revised Standard Version Committee, Catholic Members, 1967-1968
Folder 15: Revised Standard Version Committee, Catholic Matters, 1968
Folder 16: Revised Standard Committee, Clough Report, 1973
Folder 17: Revised Standard Version Committee, Commemoration, Detroit, 1973
Folder 18: Revised Standard Version Committee, Library Shipped to Princeton, 1976 February
Folder 19: Revised Standard Version Committee, Moving RSV Office to Princeton, 1965-1971
Folder 20: Revised Standard Version Committee, Termination Office at Oberlin, 1974-1975
Folder 21: Revised Standard Version Committee, Kathryn Fite, 1969-1970
Folder 22: Revised Standard Version Committee, Members, 1975-1976
Folder 23: Revised Standard Version Committee, Bruce Metzger, 1976
Folder 24: Revised Standard Version Committee, Nelsons, 1945-1957: Regarding maps for RSV Bible.
Folder 25: Revised Standard Version Committee, Nelsons, 1945-1957: Regarding maps for RSV Bible.
Folder 26: Revised Standard Version Committee, Policies Committee Memorandum, 1968-1969
Folder 27: Revised Standard Version Committee, Policies Committee Report, 1968
Folder 28: Revised Standard Version Committee, Sir William and Lady Priscilla, 1971-1972: Regarding Catholic matters.
Folder 29: Revised Standard Version Committee, Dedication, 1952
Folder 30: Revised Standard Version Committee, Lectures, Church Groups, 1952-1953
Folder 31: Revised Standard Version Committee, Lectures, Ecumenism and Bible Translation, 1931-1970
Folder 32: Revised Standard Version Committee, Lectures, NCCC, 1952-1953
Folder 33: Revised Standard Version Committee, Mail Votes, 1970-1974
Folder 34: Revised Standard Version Committee, May's Edition of RSV, 1965-1967
Folder 35: Revised Standard Version Committee, Meeting, 1975-1976
Folder 36: Revised Standard Version Committee, New International Version, 1973
Folder 37: Revised Standard Version Committee, Program Board, 1966-1970
Folder 38: Revised Standard Version Committee, Program Board, 1966-1970
Folder 39: Revised Standard Version Committee, Program Board, 1966-1970
Folder 40: Revised Standard Version Committee, Program Board, 1966-1970
Folder 41: Revised Standard Version Committee, Revision to Standards, 1974-1975
Folder 42: Revised Standard Version and Committee, 1961-1977
Folder 43: Revised Standard Version and Committee, 1961-1977
Folder 44: Revised Standard Version and Committee, 1961-1977
Folder 45: Revised Standard Version and Committee, 1961-1977
Folder 46: Revised Standard Version and Committee, 1961-1977
Folder 47: Revised Standard Version and Committee, 1961-1977
Folder 48: Revised Standard Version Committee, Vawter Translation, 1972-1974

Series IV: Correspondence

Box 1

Folder 1: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 2: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 3: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 4: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 5: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 6: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 7: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 8: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 9: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 10: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 11: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 12: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 13: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 14: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 15: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 16: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 17: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 18: Chronological Correspondence, 1927-1978
Folder 19: Letters Received from Students, 1939-1949
Folder 20: Letters Received from Students, 1939-1949
Folder 21: Letters Received from Students, 1939-1949
Folder 22: Correspondence, Oberlin College Students (A-Z), 1943-1967
Folder 23: Correspondence, Oberlin College Students (A-Z), 1943-1967
Folder 24: Correspondence, Oberlin College Students (A-Z), 1943-1967
Folder 25: Recommendations, Former Students, 1972-1974
Folder 26: Correspondence, Students (Past and Present), 1958-1970
Folder 27: Correspondence, Students (Past and Present), 1958-1970
Folder 28: Correspondence, Students (Past and Present), 1958-1970
Folder 29: Correspondence, Students (Past and Present), 1958-1970
Folder 30: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 31: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 32: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 33: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 34: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 35: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 36: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 37: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 38: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 39: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 40: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 41: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 42: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 43: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 44: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 45: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 46: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 47: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 48: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 49: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 50: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978
Folder 51: Personal Correspondence (A-Z), 1968-1978

Box 2

Folder 1: Professional Correspondence, American Society for the Study of Religion, 1959-1967
Folder 2: Professional Correspondence, Articles and Manuscripts, 1938-1964
Folder 3: Professional Correspondence, Articles of Manuscripts Board of Education, Methodist Church, 1952-1966
Folder 4: Professional Correspondence, Baldwin-Wallace College, 1959-1969
Folder 5: Professional Correspondence, Book Publishers, New York City, 1956-1970
Folder 6: Professional Correspondence, California, 1957-1972
Folder 7: Professional Correspondence, Canada, 1961-1970
Folder 8: Professional Correspondence, Chicago Theological Seminary, 1931-1966
Folder 9: Professional Correspondence, Cleveland, Ohio, 1947-1970
Folder 10: Professional Correspondence, College of Wooster, 1964-1968
Folder 11: Professional Correspondence, Connecticut, 1958-1971
Folder 12: Professional Correspondence, Clarence T. Craig, 1949-1953
Folder 13: Professional Correspondence, Drew University, New Jersey, 1956-1968
Folder 14: Professional Correspondence, Duke University, 1935
Folder 15: Professional Correspondence, Engagements, 1946-1969
Folder 16: Professional Correspondence, England and Europe, 1948-1970
Folder 17: Professional Correspondence, Florida, 1961-1964
Folder 18: Professional Correspondence, Garrett Biblical Institute, Illinois, 1946-1958
Folder 19: Professional Correspondence, Germany, 1949-1968
Folder 20: Professional Correspondence, Edward Grohman, 1956-1960
Folder 21: Professional Correspondence, GST Matters, 1940s-1960s
Folder 22: Professional Correspondence, Hartford Seminary Foundation, Connecticut, 1939-1963
Folder 23: Professional Correspondence, Hebrew Union College, New York, 1962-1966
Folder 24: Professional Correspondence, Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, 1961-1970
Folder 25: Professional Correspondence, Hiram College, 1962-1964
Folder 26: Professional Correspondence, IOB: Gerald Cooke, 1956-1964
Folder 27: Professional Correspondence, IOB: Edmund I. Gordon, 1958
Folder 28: Professional Correspondence, Illinois, 1936-1969
Folder 29: Professional Correspondence, Indiana, 1953-1967
Folder 30: Professional Correspondence, W.A. Irwin, 1951-1969
Folder 31: Professional Correspondence, Israel, 1955-1969
Folder 32: Professional Correspondence, Japan, 1964-1973
Folder 33: Professional Correspondence, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 1936-1970
Folder 34: Professional Correspondence, Aubrey R. Johnson, 1946-1970
Folder 35: Professional Correspondence, Kentucky, 1958-1967
Folder 36: Professional Correspondence, L'Accueil Fraternal, France, 1962-1976
Folder 37: Professional Correspondence, Letters to Prospective Tourists, 1962-1963
Folder 38: Professional Correspondence, Maryland, 1953-1965
Folder 39: Professional Correspondence, Massachusetts, 1937-1970
Folder 40: Professional Correspondence, Masuko Otake, 1959-1960
Folder 41: Professional Correspondence, Medina and Elyria, 1936-1952
Folder 42: Professional Correspondence, Michigan, 1955-1969
Folder 43: Professional Correspondence, Miscellaneous, 1930-1969
Folder 44: Professional Correspondence, Nashville, Tennessee, 1962-1969
Folder 45: Professional Correspondence, NCCC, 1966
Folder 46: Professional Correspondence, New York, 1955-1970
Folder 47: Professional Correspondence, North Carolina, 1955-1968
Folder 48: Professional Correspondence, Ohio, 1959-1970
Folder 49: Professional Correspondence, Oriental Institute, 1941-1944
Folder 50: Professional Correspondence, Our English Bible in the Making, 1964-1965
Folder 51: Professional Correspondence, Pennsylvania, 1942-1970
Folder 52: Professional Correspondence, Princeton University, 1962-1970
Folder 53: Professional Correspondence, H.H. Rowley, 1948-1967
Folder 54: Professional Correspondence, E.A. Speiser, 1956-1958
Folder 55: Professional Correspondence, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, 1963-1971
Folder 56: Professional Correspondence, Union Theological Seminary, New York, 1951-1967
Folder 57: Professional Correspondence, University of Chicago, 1931-1970
Folder 58: Professional Correspondence, Vanderbilt, 1966-1974
Folder 59: Professional Correspondence, Venezuela, 1961-1966
Folder 60: Professional Correspondence, Wesleyan University, Connecticut, 1952-1961
Folder 61: Professional Correspondence, Luther A. Weigle, 1945-1969

Series V: Departmental Files Relating to the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology (GST)

Box 1

Folder 1: Annual Reports to Oberlin College, 1934-1956: Graduate School of Theology
Folder 2: Correspondence with Department 01, Religion, 1965-1975
Folder 3: Closing, 1964-1966
Folder 4: Deanship, 1958-1960
Folder 5: Oberlin Matters, 1936-1941
Folder 6: Vanderbilt Divinity School, 1965-1976

Series VI: Instructional Files

Box 1

Folder 1: Class Materials, Amos-Hosea 1, undated
Folder 2: Class Materials,Amos-Hosea 2, undated
Folder 3: Class Materials, Ancient Tensions in the Middle East (Lecture Notes), undated
Folder 4: Class Materials, Ancient Prophets 01 Modern Philosophy, undated
Folder 5: Class Materials, Archaeology, Alphabet, undated
Folder 6: Class Materials, Archaeology I, undated
Folder 7: Class Materials, Archaeology II or IV, undated: II contains the Haskell lecture (1934).
Folder 8: Class Materials, Aspects of Bible Interpretation, Humanities Lecture, undated
Folder 9: Class Materials, Caracas Lectures, 1965
Folder 10: Class Materials, Church School Articles, undated
Folder 11: Class Materials, Church School Articles, Psalms, undated
Folder 12: Class Materials, Crozer Lectures, 1949-1950: "Ancient Themes for Modern Preaching"; folder includes communications regarding the lecture series.
Folder 13: Class Materials, Dan-Jann, undated
Folder 14: Class Materials, Dead Sea Scrolls Lecture, Haggai, undated: Manuscript: "This People" & "This Nation" in Haggai
Folder 15: Class Materials, Early Hebrew Idea of God Lecture, undated
Folder 16: Class Materials, Examinations, Archaeology, undated: Contains the midterm and final exams for "History of Archaeology and Research" course.
Folder 17: Class Materials, Examinations, Old Testament Literature, undated: Contains midterm and final exams for course.
Folder 18: Class Materials, First Lecture, 1954 February 2: "In Our Image–the Indiana Pastors Conference," Depauw University
Folder 19: Class Materials, God of Our Fathers, undated: This folder contains notes for a later article of Dr. May's.
Folder 20: Class Materials, Hadrian & Paul, undated
Folder 21: Class Materials, Haggai, undated
Folder 22: Class Materials, Haggai Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah 1, undated
Folder 23: Class Materials, Haggai Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah 2, undated
Folder 24: Class Materials, Hebrew Mythology Lectures, undated
Folder 25: Class Materials, History of Architecture and Research, undated
Folder 26: Class Materials, Lecture V, Notes on Hebrew Myths, undated
Folder 27: Class Materials, Jeremiah 1, undated
Folder 28: Class Materials, Jeremiah 2, undated
Folder 29: Class Materials, Jeremiah 3, undated
Folder 30: Miscellaneous Notes, undated: Notes dating to 1966, after May's retirement.
Folder 31: Class Materials, Old Testament 1-A, undated
Folder 32: Class Materials, Old Testament 1-B.1, undated
Folder 33: Class Materials, Old Testament 1-B.2, undated
Folder 34: Class Materials, Old Testament 1-B.3, undated

Box 2

Folder 1: Class Materials, Old Testament 2-A, undated
Folder 2: Class Materials, Old Testament 2-B.1, undated
Folder 3: Class Materials, Old Testament 2-B.2, undated
Folder 4: Class Materials, Old Testament Personalities, undated
Folder 5: Class Materials, Old Testament Literature & Interpretation, 1970-1973: Class lectures.
Folder 6: Class Materials, The Psalms, 1959-1963: Includes Encyclopedia Britannica articles and correspondence with Encyclopedia Britannica publishers.
Folder 7: Class Materials, Psalms, undated
Folder 8: Class Materials, Psalms 1, undated
Folder 9: Class Materials, Psalms 2.1, undated
Folder 10: Class Materials, Psalms 2.2, undated
Folder 11: Class Materials, Psalms 3, undated
Folder 12: Class Materials, Psalms, University of Chicago Press Revision, Not Published, 1965
Folder 13: Class Materials, Religion, undated: Includes "The Religious Culture of the Semitic World" paper.
Folder 14: Class Materials, Religion of Israel, undated
Folder 15: Class Materials, Religion Israel–Theology 1-3, undated: Contains general research and individual talks (not lectures).
Folder 16: Class Materials, Second Isaiah & Daniel, 1-2.2, undated: History 01, Archaeology and Research
Folder 17: Class Materials, Son of Man , undated: Article, notes, and rough draft
Folder 18: Two Spirits Article, undated

Box 3

Item 1: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 2: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 3: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 4: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 5: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 6: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 7: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 8: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 9: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 10: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 11: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 12: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 13: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 14: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 15: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 16: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 17: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 18: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 19: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.
Item 20: Grade Book, 1953-1965, undated: Restricted.

Series VII: Printed Matter

21 items.

Folder 1: Printed Matter, 1944-1976: 21 items.

Series VIII: Sermons and Chapel Talks

Box 1

Folder 1: Chapel Talks, 1930s-1940s: 21 items.
Folder 2: Sermons, 1930-1974, undated: 61 items.

Series IX: Topical Files

Box 1

Folder 1: American Council 01, Learned Societies, 1946-1968: 21 items.
Folder 2: American Society for the Study of Religion, 1966-1974
Folder 3: American School 01, Oriental Research, 1934-1968
Folder 4: Archaeology, 1961-1966
Folder 5: Arlington Church Tapes, Jacksonville, Florida, 1976-1977
Folder 6: Biblical Symbolism Correspondence, 1968-1970
Folder 7: Century Bible, 1962-1967, undated: 31 items.
Folder 8: Church School Worker, 1961-1962
Folder 9: Correspondence with NCCC Office Personnel, 1974
Folder 10: Committee on Ministry, Procedures, 1937
Folder 11: Ecumenical Institute, Advanced, 1977-1978
Folder 12: Encyclopedia Britannica Articles, 1959-1963
Folder 13: Farbridge-Biblical Symbolism: Prologue by H.G. May, 1970-1971
Folder 14: Harris Family Records, Genealogy, undated
Folder 15: Haskell Lectures, 1977 November
Folder 16: History 01, the English Bible, undated
Folder 17: International Organization 01, Old Testament Scholars, 1962
Folder 18: Jordan, Lebanon, 1958-1970
Folder 19: Thomas S. Kepler Memorial Fund, 1963-1964
Folder 20: Maupintour, 1961-1966: 51 items.
Folder 21: Medina Association, 1940-1957
Folder 22: Meroitic Inscriptions, 1961-1962
Folder 23: Miscellany, 1966-1976
Folder 24: National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, 1966-1969
Folder 25: National Endowment for the Humanities, 1971-1973
Folder 26: Near East Travel, 1958-1959
Folder 27: Near East Travel, 1958-1959
Folder 28: Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1951-1966
Folder 29: Ordinations, Marriages, & Similar, ca. 1937-1967
Folder 30: Pro-Arab Publicity and Appeals, 1967
Folder 31: The School of Religion, 1938-1953
Folder 32: Situation in Palestine, 1930s
Folder 33: Taj ed-Din Dirini, Kuwait, 1963-1970
Folder 34: Theological Studies, Jerusalem, 1977
Folder 35: Time-Life Books, 1966-1969
Folder 36: Trip to Gottingen & Brussels, 1977
Folder 37: Vetus Testament, 1958-1976
Folder 38: Vetus Testament, 1958-1976
Folder 39: Vetus Testament, 1958-1976
Folder 40: Visit to England and Near East, 1958

Series X: Writings

Box 1

Folder 1: Bibliography of Publications, 1934-1966, undated
Folder 2: Bibliography of Publications, 1934-1966, undated
Folder 3: Manuscript, Festschrift, 1968-1973
Folder 4: Manuscript, Festschrift, 1968-1973
Folder 5: Manuscript, Festschrift, 1968-1973
Folder 6: Manuscript, Festschrift, 1968-1973
Folder 7: Manuscript, New Century Bible, Second Draft, undated
Folder 11: Miscellaneous Writings, 1935, undated
Folder 12: Reviews and Ads for Books, 1962-1967
Folder 13: Book Reviews, 1971-1978
Folder 14: "Our English Bible in the Making" Reviews, 1952-1953

Series XI: Photographs

Box 1

Folder 1: Herbert May, ca. 1930s, 1976
Folder 2: Megiddo Archaeological Dig Site, undated
Folder 3: Megiddo Archaeological Dig Site, undated
Folder 4: Megiddo Archaeological Dig Site, undated
Folder 5: Miscellaneous Photographs, Teaching Slides, undated
Folder 6: Palestine and Surrounding Areas, undated
Folder 7: Palestine and Surrounding Areas, undated
Folder 8: Palestine and Surrounding Areas, undated
Folder 9: Palestine and Surrounding Areas, undated
Folder 10: Palestine and Surrounding Areas, undated
Folder 11: Palestine and Surrounding Areas, undated

Box 1A

Folder 1: Herbert May, Excavation Site, undated: Accession 2017/001.
Folder 2: K. Kenyon at Jericho, Mounted Photograph, undated: Accession 2017/001.
Folder 3: Signed Portrait of an Unidentified Man, 1976: Accession 2017/001.
Folder 4: Portrait of an Unidentified Man, undated
Folder 5: Glass Transparency, "Trephined Skull from Ancient Lachish,", 1935: Accession 2017/001. Copy of photograph from book.

Box 2

Folder 1: Negatives, ca. 1930s: Six brown and maroon packets.

Box 3

Item 1: Lantern Slides, undated: 9 slides. Includes Frank Farm.
Folder 2: Negatives of Slides, undated
Folder 3: Churches, undated
Folder 4: Churches, undated
Folder 5: Churches, undated
Folder 6: Copy Negatives, undated
Folder 7: Copy Negatives, undated
Folder 8: Copy Negatives, undated
Folder 9: Egyptian Art, undated
Folder 10: Graveyard, undated
Folder 11: Jerusalem, undated
Folder 12: Jerusalem Mosque, undated
Folder 13: Palm Sunday Procession, undated
Folder 14: Statues and Shrines, undated
Folder 15: Unidentified, undated
Folder 16: Archaelogical Digs and Ruins, undated
Folder 17: Landscapes, Tells, undated
Folder 18: Personal Images, undated
Folder 19: People, Costumes, and Customs, undated
Folder 20: Negatives, 35 mm, undated

Box 4

Folder 1: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 2: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 3: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 4: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 5: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 6: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 7: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 8: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 9: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 10: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 11: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 12: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 13: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 14: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 15: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 16: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 17: Miscellaneous Negatives, ca. 1930s-1950s
Folder 18: Negatives, Flora and Fauna, undated
Folder 19: Negatives, Megiddo, undated
Folder 20: Negatives, Megiddo, undated
Folder 21: Negatives, Megiddo, undated
Folder 22: Negatives, Box AVI