Edman, V. Raymond (Victor Raymond), 1900-1967.
Dates
- Existence: 1900 - 1967
Biographical Statement
Victor Raymond Edman was born in 1900 to Swedish immigrant parents and one of six children. He left home in 1918 to join the army and served for one year, spending much of that time in Allied-occupied Germany. After returning home, he attended college and became a missionary to the Quichua Indians in Ecuador from 1923 to 1928. During this time he married Edith Olson, whom he had met in the United States. He came to Wheaton College in 1936 as an associate professor of history and became the college’s fourth president in 1940, a position he held until he became chancellor in 1965.
During his term as president, the College expanded its financial endowments, its enrollment, and its campus. Fourteen major buildings were erected during his twenty-five year presidency. Buildings included Centennial Gymnasium, Memorial Student Center, Old Dining Hall, Smith Hall, Breyer Science Building, McAlister Conservatory, Health Center, Nicholas Library and Edman Chapel, named by the Trustees in his honor. During this time the College also acquired land for the Black Hills Science Station in South Dakota and HoneyRock Camp in Wisconsin.
Over the years Dr. Edman had a number of serious health problems: typhoid fever (from which he nearly died while in Ecuador), cataracts, gallstones, and ever-increasing heart attacks. One of these attacks, which finally proved fatal, occurred on September 22, 1967, while he delivered a chapel message entitled, “In the Presence of the King.”
Dr. Edman had been a very active public speaker with engagements in Africa, Europe, the Far and Near East, South America, and, of course, all over the United States. He authored nineteen books and numerous articles, most of them devotional in nature. Many were translated into several foreign languages. His correspondence often gave personal counsel and advice and reached thousands. He was a personal friend of Billy Graham and often worked with him on his crusades.
Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:
Collection 052 Oral History Interview with Esther Salzman
Oral history interview with Esther I. Salzman (1906-1996), a Wheaton College alumna and missionary to China in the 1940s and to the Philippines from 1950 to 1972. Topics discussed include her education at Wheaton College, medical work in China and the Philippines, and Communism in China. The time period covered by the interview is 1906 to 1978.
Esther Salzman was interviewed by Wheaton College student Fred Baker on October 28, 1978 at her home in Kankakee, IL.
Collection 169 Oral History Interviews with Harold P. Adolph
Collection 260 Oral History Interviews with Jeannette Thiessen
Collection 262 Oral History Interview with Raymond Buker Jr.
Collection 263 Oral History Interview with Margaret Carlson
Collection 283 Oral History Interviews with Nancy Folkerts
Collection 290 Oral History Interview with Merle A. Steely
Collection 317 Oral History Interview with Ian H. and Ruth E. Cook
Collection 328 Papers of Eric and Lydia Maillefer
Helen Renich Papers.
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- Evangelistic work. 9
- Missionaries. 9
- Children of missionaries. 8
- Church and state. 8
- Indigenous church administration 8
- Missionaries -- Appointment, call, and election. 8
- Women missionaries. 8
- Conversion. 7
- Medical care 7
- Missionaries -- Training of. 7
- Missions, Medical. 7
- Women 7
- Women -- Religious life. 7
- Boarding schools. 6
- Catholic Church. 6
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- Language in missionary work. 6
- Missions -- Educational work. 6
- Tribes. 6
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- Christianity and culture. 5
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- Catholic Church -- Protestant churches. 4
- China -- History. 4
- Evangelicalism. 4
- Missions -- China. 4
- Missions -- Finance. 4
- Sex role. 4
- Animism. 3
- Children of missionaries -- Education. 3
- China -- History -- 1937-1945. 3
- Church and social problems. 3
- Church work with women. 3
- College students in missionary work. 3
- College students. 3
- Communism -- China. 3
- Communism. 3
- Evangelistic work -- China. 3
- Intercultural communication. 3
- Islam -- Relations -- Christianity. 3
- Medical care -- China. 3
- Missionaries -- Leaves and furloughs. 3
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- Missionaries' spouses. 3
- Missions -- Interdenominational cooperation. 3
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- Alcoholism -- United States 1
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- Alcoholism. -- United States -- Diplomatic and consular service -- Nigeria. 1
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- Athletes 1 ∧ less