George D. Herron Collection, 1891 - 1973
(bulk 1891-1903)

Biographical Note:
George Davis Herron (1862-1925) was a Congregational Church minister and professor of Applied Christianity at Grinnell College from 1893-1899 where he attracted nationwide attention for his radical statements. After his resignation in 1899 and his scandalous divorce, he joined the Socialist Party and married Carrie Rand. They moved to Italy where he worked for peace as an emissary of President Woodrow Wilson.

Provenance:
Materials in this collection are from many sources and have been accessioned at various times since the early 20th century. Portions of the correspondence were from Professor Leonard F. Parker.

Quantity: 3 boxes (1.3 linear ft.)

Scope and Content Note:
The collection includes writings of Herron from the 1890s, correspondence from and to college officials regarding Herron and his work at the college, published articles and unpublished papers about Herron, and extensive set of clippings regarding Herron, his philosophy and teaching, and his relationship with Carrie Rand.

Suggested citation: George D. Herron papers, Grinnell College Libraries, Department of Special Collections, Grinnell, Iowa. Ms.01.47.

Box Listing
Box 1:
Photograph of Herron
Petition and Herron's reply. 1897
Correspondence and notes (from L.F. Parker?). 1895-1901
Supplemental report to the Iowa Congregational Association
by Rev. Clinton Douglas. May 1898
Correspondence (10 letters). From Gates, Herriott, G.H. Hill, Macmillan Pub., Robbins, Salter, Sears, Smith, Kersey. 1894-1943
Parker, L.F. Letter to President Gates regarding Herron.
Herron in California: 2 pamphlets by Adeline Knapp et al. and C.O. Brown.
1895?
Conard, L.M. Notes on GDH
Herron's resignation: letters, resolutions, etc.
Pres. Gates' response to attacks on “Herronism.” 1898(?)
Trustees attempt to oust Herron. 1899
Herron to Boddinghouse (letter). 1899
Herron. Classroom lecture. 189?
Meyer, John. “Review of a communistic lecture in Iowa college of Dr. Geo. D.
Herron.” (pamphlet) 1899?
McCowan, Hervy Smith. “A misunderstood man.” The Midland Monthly,
September 1894
Brown, William T. “George D. Herron: The tragedy of conscience.” and
“The new social apostolate; a conversation between editor Charles
Brodie Patterson and Professor George D. Herron on the aim, scope,
and purpose of the new social crusade.” The Arena. [190?]
Herron. 5 pamphlets. 1891-1903
Herron. 3 articles in The Social Forum, 1899-1900
2 issues of The Kingdom; a weekly exponent of Applied Christianity (for which
Herron and Gates were on the editorial board). 1899
Congregational Church materials on Herron
Handy, Robert T. “George D. Herron and the kingdom movement.”
Church History, June 1950.
Hill, J.L. Manuscript paper on Herron. [n.d.]
Johnston, Fanny Phelps (Class of 1900?). Remarks about Caroline (Carrie) Rand and Clara Millerd. 1939.
Articles from The Social Crusader about Herron. 1901
Tamiment Institute Library (N.Y.U.) Bibliography of holdings on Herron. 1962
2 articles from The Annals of Iowa: Dieterich, H.R. “Radical on the campus.”
(Fall 1964) and Crunden, Robert M. “Geo. D. Herron in the 1890s.”
Fall 1973
Articles on Herron from the Scarlet & Black.
Miscellaneous bibliographical information about Herron.

Box 2:
Newspaper clippings:
Burlington pastorate. 1892-93.
Department of Applied Christianity. 1893-95
Clippings. 1894
Herron commencement address, Univ. of Nebraska. 1894
Wealth makers. June 1894
Herron in California. April 1895
Douglass, Rev. H. Paul. “The kingdom of God--A resume of the teachings
of Professor George D. Herron.” 1895
Clippings. 1895; 1893-99
Meyer, Col. John. Attacks on Herron. 1898-99
Attacks on Herronism. 1898-99
Lecture series. Willard Hall, Chicago. 1898
Trustees' attempt to oust Herron. May-June 1899
Herron and populist movement in Iowa. July-Sept. 1899
National Social Conference, Buffalo. June-July 1899
Herron's resignation from Grinnell College. Nov. 1899
“Get-Together Club” protest. April 1901
Divorce and remarriage. April-May 1901 (2 folders)

Box 3:
Newspaper clippings:
Herron family and Rand School
Herron and diplomatic role. 1918-19
Clippings re Pres. Gates
Move to oust Herron from Congregational Church. April-June 1901
Herron and Social Democratic Party
Clippings. 1891-1914
Fragmentary, undated clippings
Parker collection of clippings on Herron affair (3 folders)

Re-sorted and cataloged by Leslie Czechowski, April 1998