This collection is divided into nine series, each representing a different aspect of Dr. Richey's work.
The Convocation and Pastor's School papers series covers the planning, publicity, correspondence, speaker invitations, and other aspects of the annual convocation held at Duke.
The Continuing Education series covers Richey's work as director of continuing education for the Divinity School and includes research and publications on continuing education, lecture notes, workshop materials, materials concerning other continuing education programs, correspondence, and memoranda.
The Curriculum Committee series has materials related to the Divinity School curriculum and the revision process it underwent during Richey's time at Duke.
The Junior Seminars series covers the syllabi and lesson plans for various sections of Junior seminars.
Reports, Research and Correspondence covers Richey's research into a variety of topics, including the church, race, poverty, the ministry, and lectureships as well as correspondence with professional colleagues and ministers on the same.
Early Course Materials and Student Work consists of Richey's graduate work, notes, and (ungraded) copies of work completed by Richey's students. Also included are materials related to race relations, integration of Duke University, reactionary exteremism, and social reform.
Ethics contains notes on different ethical systems and were likely used as lesson outlines for teaching.
Laity and Related Topics is an accumulation of publications and correspondence surrounding the interaction of lay people with theology and the ministry.
Church and Society Programs contains materials examining the links between the church, ethical sytems, business, poverty, and race.
After graduation from the Duke Divinity School, McMurry "Mac" Richey entered the Western North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Ordained elder in 1943, he served pastorates until 1947 (Central Methodist, Asheville; Cullowhee; Kerr Street, Concord; and Brevard Street, Charlotte). Throughout his career, Richey took strong stands on social, political and economic issues. He made prophetic and sometimes unpopular witness on race, war and labor. For instance, speaking out for workers' interests and rights to organize in mill-owned Concord earned him a short appointment and a premature relocation.
He then moved to the University of Houston where he served as director of Methodist Student Work, director of religious activities and instructor in philosophy and religion before returning to Duke for a Ph.D. in religion.
After completion of his doctorate, Richey taught theology, Wesley studies, and religious education at Duke Divinity School. From 1972 on, he served as director of continuing education, and for nearly 15 years organized, promoted and led student and pastor study-seminars to Mexico. Conversations between the Mexican and U.S. church and the interpretation of Latin American Christianity became a centerpiece of Richey's life and work. He retired in 1983.
Biographical information taken from http://divinity.duke.edu/publications/2006.01/depts/deaths.htm
