Frank Baker papers, 1641-2002 and undated, bulk 1740-1995

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Summary

Creator:
Baker, Frank, 1910-1999
Abstract:
Scholar, editor, collector, and Duke University faculty member specializing in the history of English and American Methodist history, and the life and career of minister John Wesley. Collection documents the professional career and life of Frank Baker, historian of Methodism and particularly of the founder and Methodist minister John Wesley. Materials are arranged in the following series: Baker Collections Files; Correspondence; Libraries and Archives; Ministry; Personal Files; Printed Materials; Professional Service; Scrapbooks and Albums; Subject Files; Teaching Materials; and Writings and Research. Topics covered include: the history of the Baker book and manuscript collections in the Duke University libraries; the history and development of Methodism and of the Wesley family; the Church of England; the Methodist Church in England, the U.S., and other countries; the development of academic research on Methodist history; music and hymnology; and material on the Wesley Works Series, a publishing project headed by Baker. There are abundant research materials on notable individuals associated with Methodism such as Charles Wesley and many other Wesley family members, William Grimshaw, and Francis Asbury. Printed material abounds, and includes many maps, articles, clippings and newspapers, pamphlets, and religious music.
Extent:
112.7 Linear Feet (Approx. 90,000 items)
Approx. 90,000 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.00069

Background

Scope and content:

The Frank Baker Papers date from 1641 through 2002, with the majority of the materials dating from the 1800s to the 1990s. The collection houses correspondence, articles, pamphlets, extensive subject and research files, clippings, publicity, a few audio recordings and microfilm, and other materials documenting the professional career and life of Frank Baker, historian of Methodism and particularly of the life and career of minister John Wesley, considered the founder of British Methodism. The collection is arranged in the following series: Audiovisual Materials, Baker Collections Files; Correspondence; Libraries and Archives; Ministry; Personal Files; Printed Material; Professional Service; Scrapbooks and Albums; Subject Files; Teaching Materials; and Writings and Research. Many of the series are divided into subseries, and two are also followed by an Oversize Materials subseries. Note that early dates usually represent reproductions, not originals, although the collection does house some original research materials.

Topics covered by the materials in the collection include: the history and development of Methodism and of the Wesley family; the history of the Church of England, and the Methodist Church in England, the U.S., and other countries; the development of academic research on Methodism and its publications; the history of the Baker book and manuscript collections in the Duke University Libraries; music and hymnology; and the development of the Wesley Works Series, a publishing project headed by Baker. There are abundant research materials on notable individuals associated with Methodism such as John and Charles Wesley, many other Wesley family members, and others such as William Grimshaw and Francis Asbury.

The largest series is the Subject Files (122 boxes), research files assembled by Baker on approximately 1500 topics related to the Wesley family and the history of Methodism and the Methodist Church. Another large series is Writings and Research (48 boxes), containing files of research notes, correspondence, print materials, and publicity related to each of Baker's published works. There are also many student writings in the collection and other materials related to Baker's teaching. Among the Personal Files are biographical files on Frank Baker; awards and honors; travel-related items, and two portrait photographs of Baker's parents. Baker's personal hobbies are reflected in the stamp collecting materials and a group of Victorian-era monogram and crest albums and "libri amicorum," or friendship albums that round out the collection.

Biographical / historical:
Chronology List
Date Event
1910 Apr. 15
Born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, to Frank and Annie Elizabeth Baker
1931
B.A., University College of Hull, (external degree of University of London; honors)
1934
B.D., University of Manchester, England
1934-1959
Minister of British Methodist Church in seven circuits, including Warminster, Westbury, Keighley, Bury, Ramsbottom, Mansfield, Cleethorpes, and Hull North
1936
Won Eayrs Essay Prize for "John Wesley's Christian Library," to which point he dated his interest in historical research
1937, Aug. 11
Married Ellen Eliza Levitt
1937
Ordained as a Methodist Minister
1947
Published A Charge to Keep: An Introduction to the People Called Methodists
1948
Publication of Charles Wesley as Revealed by His Letters
1951
Published The Methodist Pilgrim in England
1952
Published "The Rev. William Grimshaw (1708-1763) and the Eighteenth-Century Revival of Religion in England," thesis
1957
Publication of Methodism and the Love Feast
1960
Professor of English Church History in Department of Religion and in Divinity School, Duke University
1961
Duke purchased core of Frank Baker's personal rare book and manuscript collection on the history of Methodism, later named the Frank Baker Collection of Wesleyana and British Methodism
Appointed as Associate Editor and Archivist on the Wesley Works Editorial Board
1963
Edited Representative Verse of Charles Wesley
1963
Published William Grimshaw, 1708-1763
1966
Compiled A Union Catalogue of Publications of John and Charles Wesley
1969-1986
Editor-in-Chief of the Wesley Works Editorial Project
1970
Published John Wesley and the Church of England
1976
Published From Wesley to Asbury: Studies in Early American Methodism
1980
Received Emeritus Status at Duke University
1980-1982
Edited Letters I and II (the Correspondence of John Wesley)
1985
Introductor of The Heart of True Spirituality: John Wesley's Own Choice
1985
Served on editorial board for A History of the Methodist Church in Great Britain
1999 Oct. 11
Died in Durham, N.C.

Frank Baker also wrote over 200 articles, essays, and published papers, including 80 entries for the Encyclopedia of World Methodism

Memberships: World Methodist Historical Society (executive, 1970-1999?), Wesley Historical Society, Royal Historical Society, International Methodist Historical Society (joint secretary, 1947-1960), American Society of Church History.

Acquisition information:
The Frank Baker papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as gifts from 1986-2007.
Processing information:

Processed by Jordan Anderson, Allison Curseen, Beth DeBold, Deanna Koretsky, Paula Jeannet, Matt Mitchell, Keith Page, Chloe Rockow, Nicole Rudden, Michael Shumate, January 2013

Encoded by Jordan Anderson, Allison Curseen, Beth DeBold, Deanna Koretsky, Paula Jeannet, Matt Mitchell, Keith Page, Chloe Rockow, Nicole Rudden, Michael Shumate, March 2013

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 87-100, 87-105, 91-006, 91-037, 91-060, 96-052, 96-053, 1999-0155, 2000-0445, 2003-0201, and 2007-0044 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid. Some materials have been transferred to other Duke libraries or to other Rubenstein collections. See notes in inventory.

Addition 2017-0105 processed by Alice Poffinberger, August 2017.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

In addition, original audiovisual materials are closed to patron use. Research Services staff need to produce use copies before contents can be accessed.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Frank Baker Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.