PENN, ROBERT E., 1916-1976.
Robert E. and Lois H. Penn papers, 1902-2017

Restrictions on Access

Special restrictions apply: Researchers must contact the Rose Library in advance to access audiovisual material in this collection.

Collection stored off-site. Researchers must contact the Rose Library in advance to access this collection.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Separated Material

The Rose Library also holds books formerly owned by Robert E. and Lois H. Penn. These materials may be located in Emory University's online catalog by searching for: Penn, Robert E. and Lois H. Penn, former owners.

Source

Gift of Robert E. Penn, Jr., 2010. Subsequent additions gift of Robert E. Penn, Jr., 2018 and 2019.

Custodial History

Robert E. Penn, Jr., is the son of Robert E. and Lois H. Penn. Rose Library staff packed the 2018 additions and transferred to the Rose Library. Penn Jr. packed the 2019 additions at his house and transferred to the Rose Library.

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Robert E. and Lois H. Penn papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Appraisal Note

Curator of African American Collections, Randall Burkett, acquired the collection as part of the Rose Library's holdings in African American history. Curator of African American Collections, Pellom McDaniels, III, acquired the 2018 additions. During accessioning of the additions in 2018, Rose Library staff removed and returned to the donor 1 linear foot of material, including plaques rewarding Lois H. Penn for her excellent service to the church. Appraisal decisions were made by Accessioning and Collections Manager, Meaghan O'Riordan, in consultation with Pellom McDaniels, III.

Processing

Arranged and described at the collection level, 2010. 2018 additions arranged and described at the collection level by Meaghan O'Riordan, November 2018. 2019 additions arranged and described at the collection level by Dorothy Waugh, July 2019.

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Biographical Note

Robert E. Penn (1916-1976) was a minister. He graduated from Clark College and earned his Masters of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1939. Penn was a pastor of congregations in Georgia, Kansas, and Indiana and served as a chaplain during World War II. Penn married Lois Henrietta Neale (1920-), a teacher from New Orleans, in 1945. They had two children: Barbara Jeanne and Robert E. Penn, Jr.

In 1952 Penn earned a Doctorate of Theology from Central Baptist Seminary. He became active in missionary efforts in Africa and traveled to Nigeria in 1966. In 1973 following Penn's retirement from preaching, he returned to Atlanta and joined the Interdenominational Theological Seminary faculty as a director of Field Education.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of the papers of Robert E. and Lois H. Penn from 1902-2017. The papers include writings, correspondence, photographs,scrapbooks, printed material, and audiovisual material. Writings include drafts of Reverend Penn's sermons and notes. While Robert E. and Lois H. Penn created or are represented in much of the material, there is also material created by or representative of other family members, including their parents, their siblings, and their children. Scrapbooks include family photographs and newspaper clippings and other printed material about family members. Photographs include family photographs, as well as images of First Baptist Church (Gary, Indiana) and Pleasant Green Baptist Church (Kansas City, Kansas). The collection also includes Interdenominational Theological Seminary material. A significant portion of audiovisual material is made up of reel-to-reel audio recordings of sermons and musical concerts. It also includes a 16mm film, possibly of a mission trip to Africa.

Arrangement Note

Arranged by record type.

Finding Aid Note

Preliminary inventory available in repository.