Clarence Augustus Barbour was born in Hartford, Connecticut on April 21, 1867 to Judge Humphrey and Myra Barker Barbour. After attending Hartford High School, Barbour entered Brown University in 1882. While a student at Brown, Barbour taught courses in the Providence Evening School, and in his senior year, became the principal of the Richmond Street Evening School. He was also very active in clubs and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. Following his graduation in 1888, Barbour moved on to attend Rochester Theological Seminary in Rochester, New York. Upon his graduation from seminary in 1891, Barbour became the pastor for the Lake Avenue Baptist Church in Rochester, where he stayed until 1909.
While working as a pastor, Barbour also became a leader in working for better schools and against political corruption. When he left the Lake Avenue Baptist Church in 1909, Barbour became the associate secretary of the Religious Work Department of the International Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association. In 1915, Barbour was named the Wyckoff Professor of Homiletics and president of the Rochester Theological Seminary. As president of the seminary, Barbour was instrumental in the merging of Colgate Theological Seminary and Rochester Theological Seminary to form the Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 1928, now known as Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.
By unanimous vote, Barbour was elected president of Brown University in October of 1928. As president, Barbour was very active in reaching out to alumnae, churches, professional associations and many other groups to help build the endowment and reputation of Brown University. In September of 1931, Barbour and his wife, Florence Newell Barbour, left on a nine month trip to Asia as part of the Laymen’s Committee on Foreign Missions supported by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The Commission was to appraise the activities and effect of missions in Japan, China, Burma and India.
Though Barbour attempted to grow and change Brown, the Great Depression made it difficult to achieve these goals. Instead, Barbour served to simply maintain Brown, and keep the school healthy through the crisis of the Depression. In 1935, Barbour suffered a nervous breakdown. Then, in 1936, Barbour suffered an attack of appendicitis and never fully recovered. He died on January 16, 1937.
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Clarence A. Barbour papers, MS-1C-10, Brown University Archives.
The Clarence A. Barbour papers primarily contain letters to and from Barbour, with some letters from his wife, Florence Newell Barbour. A large group of letters to and from Barbour in 1928 and 1929 relay thanks and congratulations upon his nomination to and acceptance of the presidency of Brown University. In 1931 and 1932, Barbour and his wife traveled to Asia, and continuously wrote letters to his secretary, Miss Leonard, and form letters to be sent to friends and family. These letters provide descriptions of his mission with the Laymen's Foreign Mission Inquiry as part of the Appraisal Commission, as well as the sites seen and experiences had in Asia. Letters by Florence Newell Barbour contain the same type of information. Newell Barbour also wrote a number of poems, included in this collection, mainly about her experience in China. Other letters in the collection pertain to Barbour’s functions as President of Brown, including four letters fomr Calvin Coolidge. Series 2 contains one, undated manuscript by Barbour entitled, "The Overflow of Personality." Finally, Series 3 contains letters and information surrounding the death and funeral of Clarence A. Barbour.
This collection is arranged into the following series:
Series 1. (Correspondence, 1923-1937) includes letters to and from Barbour arranged both alphabetically and chronologically.
Series 2. (Writings) contains one manuscript written by Barbour.
Series 3. (Condolence Letters, 1937) contains letters, telegrams, and programs arranged chronologically.
Series 4. (Writings and Correspondence by Florence Newell Barbour, 1932-1932, 1936) is a grouping of poems and letters written by Florence Newell Barbour arranged chronologically.
The acquisition information for this collection is unavailable.
No further materials are anticipated for this collection.
Brown University Archives, Biographical Files Collection.
Clarence Augusts Barbour has other materials held at Brown
University that are cataloged separately. They can be found under
the following search entry:
Brown University catalog record for this collection:
Contains correspondence with Hermon C. Bumpus, W.H.P. Faunce, Fred T. Field, F.T. Gould, Albert D. Mead, and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Includes carbon copies of Barbour's letters. Early letters mention possibility of nomination of Dr. Gilkey.
Twenty letters written to Barbour's secretary, Miss Leonard, about trip to Asia. Letters include details about modes of travel, accomodations, state of the missions and other desscriptive details.
Reproduced or typewritten copies of letters sent to Miss Leonard to be distributed to friends and family. Letters include details about modes of travel, accomodations, state of the missions and other desscriptive details.
Contains correspondence between Adam Andrews and Barbour. Letters discuss Andrews' honorary degree and the recommendation for Governor Judd of Hawaii to receive an honorary degree, both from Brown University.
Two letters in reply to Barbour's request that Fred T. Field be considered for honorary degree at Yale. With copies of Barbour's letters to Angell and to William V. Kellen, November 19-26, 1930, and letter from Kellen to Barbour, November 25, 1930.
Contains letters from Barbour to the Members of the Brown Corporation, A.H. Gurney, Dr. Van Hoesen, and Professor and Acting President James P. Adams.
Letter expressing appreciation and enclosing honorarium.
Letter concerning papers of her father, J. O. A. Clark.
Letter one recalls meeting him during a visit at Williams College, and thanks him for kind and interesting letter. Letter two, Coolidge is gratified by Barbour's letter regarding the boys. Letter three explains that Coolidge may not be able to attend services at First Congregational Church in Washington on the 21st. Letter four promises Coolidge will call attention of the Attorney General to his recommendation of Simon L. Adler for the position of U. S. judge.
Letter declining invitation to speak at open forum at Brown University, with copy of Barbour's letter asking him to speak.
Letter extending congratulations of Executive Committee of Associated Alumni on his election as president of Brown, with copy of Barbour's reply, December 2, 1928, on verso.
Letter thanking him for kind words about the Orchestra.
Letter congratulating him on election as president of Brown, with copy of Barbour's reply, October 18, 1928 typed on Randall's letter.
Letter urging Robinson to accept presidency of Brown; change of name of the Women's College to Pembroke College; believes in influence of women's college. Copy of Barbour's reply on verso.
Essay written by Barbour. Context is unknown.
Includes four poems by Newell Barbour describing the Red Sea, China and Japan from her 1931-1932 trip to Asia. Also includes two letters written from Delhi and Calcutta, three letters written on April 19, 20, and 22, 1932 from Peking and Tientsin. With copy of letter by Priscilla Leonard, May 19, 1932. Letter from Aug. 19, 1936 discusses index of her songs.
Includes James P. Adams letter notifying Brown community of Barbour's death, as well details about the funeral. Also contains letters of condolence from members of the Brown Community and other friends of the family. A maililng list and letters of thanks from Florence Newell Barbour are also present.