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American Teilhard de Chardin Association Archives

 Collection
Identifier: GTM-070730

Scope and contents note

The American Teilhard de Chardin Association Archives document the activities of a major organization devoted to preserving the writings and legacy of the noted French Jesuit Rev. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. The collection includes materials concerning the administrative functions of the society. The archive also contains files regarding prominent individuals, such as Romano S. Almagno, George Barbour, Minna Cassard, Robert T. Francoeur, Thomas King, Ursula King, Mary Lukas, Ellen Lukas, Winifred McCulloch, and Alfred P. Stiernotte. The collection includes incomplete runs of printed journals about Teilhard, including "Teilhard Review," "Revue de Teilhard," "Teilhard Newsletter," "Bulletin de Teilhard de Chardin," "Newsletter of the Teilhard Centre," "Association des Amis de Pierre Teilhard de Chardin," and "Teilhard Studies." Printed materials about Teilhard are present, as is a substantial set of audio tapes of lectures about various aspects of Teilhard's life and career. The archives are stored in 24 boxes (22.75 linear feet).

Dates

  • 1912 - 2007
  • Majority of material found within 1965 - 1989

Conditions governing access note

Box 25 contains restricted materials: Estate Information, Resumes, and Job Applications.

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Library Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictins may apply to some collections. Colections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscirpts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Special Collecitons Research Center in advance of any visit.

Biographical and historical note

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955), French Jesuit priest, paleontologist, and philosopher, attended the Jesuit College of Mongre in his childhood. Next, he entered the Jesuit novitiate at Aix-en-Provence. Then, he taught for three years at the Jesuit College in Cairo, Egypt. He was ordained a priest in 1911. In World War I, Teilhard served as a stretcher bearer. After the war, he taught at the Catholic Institute of Paris. In 1923, he undertook his first paleontological excursion to China. For his scientific work, he ventured across China and Asia. From 1939 to 1945, Teilhard lived in Peking. He journeyed back to his native France in 1946, and he subsequently moved to New York City, where he died in 1955.

Teilhard tried to synthesize Christianity, science, and philosophy. His views were controversial in some circles. His extensive writings on science and religion were published after his death in 1955.

His noteworthy books include "The Phenomenon of Man" (1955)," "The Appearance of Man" (1956),"The Divine Milieu" (1957), "The Vision of the Past" (1957), and "Science and Christ (1965)." [Source: Encyclopedia Britannica Online].

* * * * * * *

The American Teilhard de Chardin Association was founded in 1967. The organization continues to promote the life, writings, and legacy of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin through publications, meetings, and conferences.

[Source: American Teilhard Association Web Site].

Extent

23 Linear Feet (25 boxes.)

Language of Materials

English

Title
American Teilhard de Chardin Association Archives
Status
Completed
Author
Scott S. Taylor. Georgetown University Library Booth Family Center for Special Collections.
Date
November 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English and French

Repository Details

Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057