Arthur Linn Becker Papers

Identity elements

Reference code

US NjMdUMCG 2208

Name and location of repository

General Commission on Archives and History

Level of description

Collection

Title

Arthur Linn Becker Papers

Date(s)

1897-1994 (Creation)

Extent

3.6 cubic feet

Name of creator

Becker, Arthur Linn

(1879-?)

Biographical history

Arthur Linn Becker (1879-?), Methodist missionary, was born in Ray, Indiana on May 12, 1879. His parents moved to Reading, Michigan prior to his fifth birthday. He graduated high school in 1899 and enrolled in Albion College that same year. Becker became interested in foreign missionary work in his senior year. He graduated from Albion College in 1903. Becker was then appointed to Korea by the Methodist Episcopal Mission Board in 1903. His first responsibility as a missionary was as an educational missionary in Pyeng Yang.

Becker traveled to Tokyo, Japan, in 1905 where he met and married Louise Ann Smith, the daughter of a Methodist minister. Becker brought his wife back to Pyeng Yang. They had three children, two daughters and a son. Two of their children were born prior to the family's visit to the United States in 1910. Their second daughter was born after the family moved to Seoul.

Becker assisted in the foundation of the Chosen Christian College, now Yonsei University, in 1918. He was involved in the administration of its policies and curriculum from its establishment to his retirement.

Due to World War II, the Beckers were forced to evacuate. They were reassigned to Lucknow Christian College in India where Becker served as a physics instructor. The Becker family later returned to the United States and settled in Michigan where they retired. They were recalled to Korea in 1946 after World War II. Becker served as the President of Yonsei University during the Korean War from 1950-1953.

Dr. and Mrs. Becker returned to the United States to reenter retirement in California. His wife passed away in 1961. In 1965, Becker moved to Frasier Meadows Manor in Boulder, Colorado in 1965 with the help of his granddaughter, Mrs. Claud Morel, a resident of the town. He spent his time transcribing details of his experiences with assistance from his daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Becker McCune, during the summer of 1974.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The bulk of the collection consists of manuscripts including: 90 Years of Meaningful Living; Korea Missions; Reconstruction of Education in Korea; Christ and His Beacon; and Christ and His Torches in Korea. A diary and a journal on healthy living are also included. University Plans and materials on Chosen Christian College and a Conspiracy Trial are provided as well. There is a set of materials written in Hangul.

Reports in the collection include: Chosen Christian College Reports; Korean Reports; and Miscellaneous Reports.

Minutes consist of: Official Minutes of the Nineteenth Annual Meeting of the Korea Mission in May, 1903; Looking Backward Minutes of a Wonsun Beach Association Executive Committee Meeting in 1916; two Annual Meetings pertaining to Chosen Christian College in March, 1922 and May, 1922; and a meeting held by the Association of Methodist Missionaries.

Assorted Korean Publications, Korean Publication Fragments and clippings are available. Named publications include: The Korean Pacific Express: Periscope on Asia; Korean Student Quarterly; The Korea Mission Field; and The Korea Klipper. A Chinese/English Dictionary and a published manuscript, Michigan and Korea, are also included.

The bulk of correspondence consists of Official Letters. Other letters are addressed to dear friends and family members. Correspondence pertaining to the Pre-Cleveland Commission on the Far East in 1949 is included.

General Documents include: Miscellaneous records; photographs; and an Identification Pin.

System of arrangement

This collection is arranged by series.

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

There are no restrictions on this collection.

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

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.

Languages of the material

English

Scripts of the material

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Immediate source of acquisition

1996-067, Maxwell Becker, January 1996

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

Accruals

Related materials elements

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related archival materials

Microfilm Edition of the Missionary correspondence of the Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Papers of Marion Conrow.

Microfilm Edition of the Missionary files series of the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church.

Microfilm Edition of the Mission Biographical Reference Files.

Related descriptions

Notes element

General note

When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Arthur Linn Becker Papers, 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.