Overview
Papers of Unitarian Universalist minister, Frank Robertson, including correspondence, minutes, memoranda, clippings, and audiocassettes, as well as information related to the Interweave Continental Convocations. The papers span 1964-2002.
Dates
- Creation: 1964-2002.
Access
There are some restrictions on access to this collection. Consult the curator of manuscripts and archives for further information.
Extent
13 boxesThe bulk of this collection consists of material related to Robertson's work with the LGBT community in the Unitarian Universalist church. The general files contain a great deal of varied material that includes correspondence, minutes, memoranda, newsletters, notes, and clippings. The Interweave Continental Convocations are annual meetings of LGBT members of the Unitarian Universalist church and center on issues related to their work in the church. They include papers from Interweave speakers, workshop and group sessions information, and notes. Each series is arranged chronologically.
Biographical / Historical
Frank Edson Robertson (1936-2008) was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts. He received a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell in 1959, and an MDiv and Certification as Director of Religious Education from The Theological School of St. Lawrence University in 1962. That same year, Robertson was ordained as a Universalist minister at the Grace Universalist Church of Lowell, Massachusetts. He served pastorates at the Unitarian Church of Barneveld, New York (1961-1964); the Unitarian Universalist congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, New York (then the North Shore Unitarian Society of Plandome, New York (1965-1967); Central Unitarian Church of Paramus, New Jersey (1967-1972); All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, D.C. (1972-1981); Unitarian Church of Santa Barbara (1982-1986); and the Unitarian Church of Evanston, Illinois (1986-1998), where he served as Minister of Religious Education Emeritus.
Robertson was instrumental in furthering lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues within the Unitarian Universalist church. An openly gay minister, Robertson was a founding member of Interweave, an organization centered on LGBT concerns, affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist church. He also performed same-sex unions, leading to his eventual dismissal from All Souls Church.
His work in religious education led to numerous articles published and various positions held, such as Minister of Youth Programs (1965-1967) at the Unitarian Universalist congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, New York; and Minister of Religious Education at the Central Unitarian Church of Paramus, New Jersey (1967-1972), All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, D.C. (1972-1981), Unitarian Church of Santa Barbara (1982-1986), and the Unitarian Church of Evanston, Illinois (1986-1998). He was given the Angus H. MacLean award for excellence in religious education in 1998. In 2006, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School. He died in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 2008.
Arrangement
Organized into the following series:
- Series I. General files
- Series II. Interweave Continental Convocations
Acquisition Information
Gift of Frank Robertson, 2003.
General note
The number after the slash in each entry in the following list indicates the box number, and the number in parentheses is the folder number.
Processing Information
Processed by Jessica Suarez, 2012.
- Title
- Robertson, Frank E. Papers, 1964-2002: A Finding Aid.
- Author
- Andover-Harvard Theological Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- div00723
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard Divinity School Library, Harvard University Repository
Special Collections at Harvard Divinity School Library preserves and makes accessible primary source materials documenting the history of religion and theology, with particular historical emphasis on American liberal religious traditions. Though the historical strengths of the collections have been in the field of Christianity, other religious traditions are increasingly reflected, in step with Harvard Divinity School's evolving focus on global religious studies. Known as Andover-Harvard Theological Library since 1911, it was renamed the Harvard Divinity School Library in 2021.
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