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COLLECTION Identifier: bMS 667

Wright, George Ernest, 1909-1974. Papers, 1924-1976.

Overview

George Ernest Wright was a leading Old Testament scholar and biblical archaeologist. He was known for his expertise in ancient Near Eastern archaeology, especially in the study and dating of pottery. Collection consists of material related to Wright's work as a student, his church-related activities, his teaching, his writing, and his work with archaeological expeditions.

Dates

  • Creation: 1924-1994.
  • Creation: 1924-1958)
  • Creation: 1940-1974)
  • Creation: 1939-1973)
  • Creation: 1941-1974)
  • Creation: 1933-1974)
  • Creation: 1939-1973)
  • Creation: 1937-1975)

Extent

1 collection (12 linear feet. (12 boxes))

Collection consists of material related to Wright's work as a student, his church-related activities, his teaching, his writing, and his work with archaeological expeditions. Each series is arranged alphabetically, with the exception of Series I, which is ordered chronologically. Series V is diverse, including: notes, drafts, and manuscripts relating to published books and articles; notes and drafts of lectures and addresses; various scholarly notes; reviews of his published material; and in some cases correspondence relating to scholarly projects.

Biographical / Historical

George Ernest Wright (1909-1974), a leading Old Testament scholar and biblical archaeologist, was known for his expertise in Ancient Near Eastern archaeology, especially in the study and dating of pottery. As a Christian scholar, Wright was a staunch defender of the relevance of Old Testament study to the Christian faith. Born in Ohio, he was the son of a Presbyterian minister and received his B.A. from the College of Wooster (Ohio). He received his Bachelor of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1934, the same year he was ordained in the Presbyterian church. He studied with William Foxwell Albright at Johns Hopkins University, where he received his M.A. (1936) and PhD. (1937). He taught Old Testament History and Theology at McCormick Seminary from 1939-1958. He joined the faculty of Harvard Divinity School in 1958, where he was Parkman Professor and the Curator of the Semitic Museum (the latter beginning in 1961) until his death in 1974. Professor Wright published numerous monographs and articles on subjects ranging from biblical theology to Palestinian archaeology. Some of his publications include: God Who Acts, Biblical Theology as Recital (1952); Biblical Archaeology (1957); Shechem, Biography of a Biblical City (1965); and The Old Testament and Theology (1969). He was also the founder of the periodical The Biblical Archaeologist, and directed three archaeological expeditions during his teaching career: the Drew-McCormick Archaeological Expedition to Shechem (1956-1974); the Hebrew Union College Biblical and Archaeological School Expedition at Tell Gezer (1964-1965); and the Joint American Expedition to Idalion, Cyprus (1971-1974).

Arrangement

Organized into the following series:

  1. Series I. Biographical and personal material
  2. Series II. Student writings (1924-1958)
  3. Series III. Church-related work and writings (1940-1974)
  4. Series IV. Teaching materials, McCormick Theological Seminary and Harvard Divinity School (1939-1973)
  5. Series V. Writings - lectures, addresses, essays, articles, books (1941-1974)
  6. Series VI. Archaeological expeditions and research (1933-1974)
  7. Series VII. Professional Activities (1939-1973)
  8. Series VIII. Correspondence
  9. Series IX. Publications - books and articles (1937-1975)

Aquisition Information

Papers donated by Emily DeNyse Wright.

General note

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.

Processed by:

Fran O'Donnell and Jonathan Hauze, November 2001.

Title
Wright, George Ernest, 1909-1974. Papers, 1924-1976: A Finding Aid.
Author
Andover-Harvard Theological Library
Language of description
und
EAD ID
div00667

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.

Contact:
45 Francis Avenue
Cambridge MA 02138-1911 USA
(617) 496-2485