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Rufus Anderson, Jr. papers

 Collection
Identifier: M295

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Scope and Content

Anderson's memoir and letters to his infant son, Henry Hill Anderson, comprise the bulk of the papers. Also includes Anderson's journal entry regarding the death of his father, a document concerning Anderson's service with the foreign missions, and printed memorials for Anderson and his wife. For related material see the journal kept while Anderson was a Bowdoin student, which is on microfilm in the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives.

Dates

  • Creation: 1814-1888, undated

Creator

Biographical/Historical Note

Rufus Anderson, Jr. was born August 17, 1796, in North Yarmouth, Maine, to Rufus and Hannah (Parsons) Anderson. His father was a Congregational minister, author, and Bowdoin overseer. Rufus Jr. prepared for College at Bradford Academy in Massachusetts, and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1818, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1822. Anderson served on the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and was Foreign Secretary from 1832-1866; for his work, he visited the Mediterranean, India, and the Sandwich Islands. Anderson authored numerous books about foreign missions, lectured, received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth (1836) and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Bowdoin (1868).

Rufus Anderson, Jr. married Eliza Hill in 1827, and they had five children. Anderson died in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 30, 1880.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Rufus Anderson (Bowdoin College Class of 1818) served on the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and was Foreign Secretary from 1832-1866. Papers includes Anderson's memoir and letters to his infant son, Henry Hill Anderson; Anderson's journal entry regarding the death of his father; a document concerning Anderson's service with the foreign missions; and printed memorials for Anderson and his wife

Title
Guide to the Rufus Anderson, Jr. Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288