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Ralph E. Dodge Papers

An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Dodge, Ralph E. (Ralph Edward), 1907-2008.
Title: Ralph E. Dodge Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1937-1992
Quantity: 14.5 linear ft.
Abstract: Papers of the American Methodist bishop and missionary to Zimbabwe. Collection includes correspondence (1937-1992); photographs; a scrapbook; and manuscript and published articles, books, essays, and sermons.
Language: English
Repository: Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center

Biographical History

Ralph Edward Dodge was born in 1907 in Iowa. After high school he attended Taylor University where he received a B.A. He later received M.A. and S.T.B. degrees from Boston University. Dodge spent most of his life as a missionary for the Methodist Church and was elected Bishop within their Africa Central Conference. Revered Dodge was considered a controversial figure while working in Rhodesia and was once deported by the Rhodesian government.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Ralph E. Dodge Papers consist of biographical material, correspondence, financial, miscellaneous, photographs, published material and writings. The financial series contains correspondence pertaining to donations for mission work as well as copies of invoices. Writings includes copies of two books by Dodge, The Pagan Church and The Unpopular Missionary, and typescripts of several books.

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Arrangement of the Collection

General correspondence is arranged chronologically, followed by correspondence from specific individuals or on particular topics, arranged alphabetically. Published material and Writings are arranged alphabetically by type.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Subject Headings

Persons

Dodge, Ralph E. (Ralph Edward), 1907-2008.

Subjects

Christianity and politics.
Liberation theology -- Zimbabwe.
Methodist Church -- Africa.
Methodist Church -- Clergy.
Methodist Church -- Missions.
Missionaries -- Africa.
Missionaries -- United States.
Missionaries -- Zimbabwe.
Missions -- Zimbabwe.

Genres and Forms

Articles.
Correspondence.
Essays.
Manuscripts for publication.
Photographs.
Scrapbooks.
Sermons.

Occupations

Clergy.
Missionaries.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Ralph E. Dodge Papers
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Bishop Dodge, 1968-1986.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: [Summit record]
Date: Jun 1978
Revision history: 6 Jul 2007 - converted to EAD (MRC)

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Inventory

Biographical material
Box 1 Miscellaneous
Correspondence
General
Box 1 1937, 1938, 1945, 1950, 1953, 1954, 1957-1963
Box 1 1964-1965 (13 folders)
Box 2 1965-1968 (13 folders)
Box 3 1968-1971 (2 folders)
Box 3 Africa 1956-1960, 1964-1971 (7 folders)
Box 3 Deportation
Box 3 Europe and Asia 1958-1971
Family letters
Box 3 Cliff and Lo
Box 3 Ed and Nancy (2 folders)
Box 4 Eunice
Box 4 Lois and John Stewart
Box 4 Mother Dodge
Box 4 Peggy (3 folders)
Box 4 Ralph (3 folders)
Box 4 To all
Box 4 Fleming H. Revell Co.
Box 4, 5 Friends -- USA (5 folders)
Box 5 Methodist Bishops
Box 5 Methodist Board of Missions 1956-1971 (8 folders)
Box 5 Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation and Africa Literature Center, Kitwe, Zimbabwe 1968-1971 (2 folders)
Box 6 Miscellaneous agencies (mainly church-related) 1964-1971
Box 6 Missionary family letters 1963-1964
Box 6 Official 1964-1971
Financial
Box 6 Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Box 6 Scrapbooks and postcards (blank)
Oversize 1 Scrapbook (oversize)
Photographs
Box 6 Miscellaneous
Published material
Box 6 Articles
Box 6 Books (2 folders)
Box 6 Magazines
Box 6 Miscellaneous
Box 6 Newsletters
Box 6 Newspaper clippings
Oversize 1 Newspapers
Box 6 Rhodesia
Writings
Box 6 Articles (3 folders)
Box 7 Books - The Unpopular Missionary, reviews and correspondence (8 folders)
Oversize 1 Book (oversize)
Box 7 Brasil lectures
Box 7 Essays (4 folders)
Box 7 Sermons and speeches (2 folders)
Box 7 Pamphlets

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