Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1892-1945 (Creation)
Extent
2.64 cubic feet
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Wesley Robinson (1866-1947) 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.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
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.
System of arrangement
This collection is comprised totally of 47 Diaries. They are arranged chronologically from 1892 to 1945. There are omissions for the years 1899-1902.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
There are no restrictions regarding 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
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
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.
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, 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.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Archivist's note
Prepared by Robert Drew Simpson, Assistant Archivist and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist