John Robert Nelson Papers
Scope and Content Note
Dates
- 1952 - 1976
Language of Materials
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Nelson travelled, lectured, preached and consulted in numerous countries throughout his career. Before serving as Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School dean from 1957-1960, he was the Secretary of the Commission on Faith and Order for the World Council of Churches in Switzerland. Among the many other places he served are: Princeton School of Theology; United Theological College, Bangalore, India; Oberlin College Graduate School of Theology; and Boston University School of Theology.
He was the author of numerous articles and books, including One Lord, One Church, Fifty Years of Faith and Order, and Science and Our Troubled Conscience. In the 1970s he became interested in medical ethics as they relate to theology. He was known throughout his career for his role in the ecumenical movement and civil rights.
In 1945, Nelson married Dorothy Patricia Mercer and the couple had two sons, Eric Mercer and William John. J. Robert Nelson died in Houston, Texas on July 6, 2004.
Extent
.85 Linear Feet
Physical Location
- Title
- Finding Aid for the John Robert Nelson Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections Repository
Jean and Alexander Heard Library
419 21st Avenue South
Nashville TN 37203 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu