Guide to the John Wesley Robinson Diaries
Prepared by Robert Drew Simpson, Assistant Archivist and Mark C. Shenise, Associate
Archivist
United Methodist Archives and History Center
General
Commission on Archives and History, Madison, New Jersey
10/17/2008
Overview of Records
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| Record Creator: |
Robinson, John Wesley |
| Title: |
John Wesley Robinson Diaries |
| Dates: |
1892-
1945
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| Abstract: |
John Wesley Robinson, Methodist Episcopal
Church bishop in India. His diaries chronicle his daily habits and ministries.
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| Extent: |
2.64 cubic feet |
| Resource ID: |
gcah.ms.2090 |
Biograhical Note
John Wesley Robinson was
born at Moulton, Iowa, January 6, 1866 and married Elizabeth Fisher in 1891. Having begun his
career as a printer before he entered the ministry, he was educated at Garrett Biblical Institute.
Robinson was ordained in the Des Moines Conference and after two years was transferred to the
North India Conference. After a number of varied appointments he was elected in 1912 as a
missionary bishop for Southern Asia, and in 1920 he was elected a General Superintendent. From
1912 when the National Missionary Council was organized in India until 1936 when he retired, he
participated prominently in inter-church activities.
After retiring Robinson made his home
in California briefly, but then returned to India to assume the editorship of The Indian Witness.
In 1940 he administered the Lucknow and Hyderabad Conferences. He was again called from retirement
this time to superintend the Delhi Conference. He died in India May 30, 1947. His grave is in the
Kaladungi Cemetery near Nain Tal.
Scope Note
Bishop Robinson's Diaries are
closely written and are chiefly a daily record of his personal schedule and activities.
Unfortunately he offers practically no theological reflection or social commentary. The latter is
particularly disappointing because in his very influential role he lived through momentous times
both in India and the general world scene. For instance, the tension between British rule and the
Indian struggle for independence is never mentioned. Although he lived through two World Wars and
the great depression, there are no serious comments. The fact, however, that he omits such
comments may be considered social comment itself.
These Diaries are important for anyone
studying the endless work of an episcopal leader building the Church in a foreign setting. But
they should not be studied with the hope of finding substantive material except for specific
references to churches, schools, etc.
Robinson was an amazingly meticulous, untiring worker
and administrator. He records even the daily weather as well as the miles he traveled. But for all
of this the Diaries do not reflect the warm , dedicated Christian person, husband and father he
actually was. Anyone researching his life would be better served by reading Stanley Clemens book,
Intimate Glimpses of Bishop John Wesley Robinson, 1935. A copy may be found in the folder 1465-3-
3:03. This same folder also includes a brief appreciation of Mrs. Robinson. Other materials
relating to the bishop as well as photos may be found in folders 1465 3-3:04 and 1165-3-
3:04.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
This collection is
comprised of forty-seven diaries arranged chronologically from 1892 to 1945. There are
omissions for the years 1899 to 1902.
Preferred Citation
When citing material
from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file
folder, John Wesley Robinson Diaries, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New
Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable
descriptor.
Restrictions on Use
Detailed use
restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the
General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be
limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a
formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
Related Material
For additional
information on John Wesley Robinson see the Records of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Board of
Missions Missionary Files Series; the Records of the Methodist Church, Board of Missions
Missionary Files Series; and the Records of the United Methodist Church, General Board of Global
Ministries Reference Files Series.
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Subject Terms
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Subject Topics |
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Asians |
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Methodist Church-India |
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Missions
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Subject Geographic |
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Angola
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India |
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Genre |
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Diaries. |
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Occupations |
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Bishop |
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Minister |
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Missionary |
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1551-1-1:
1
|
Diary
|
1892-1895 |
