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Edman, V. Raymond (Victor Raymond), 1900-1967.

 Person

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 19 Collections and/or Records:

Collection 169 Oral History Interviews with Harold P. Adolph

 Collection
Identifier: CN 169
Scope and Contents Oral History Interview with Harold Paul Adolph, in which he discusses his boyhood in China as the son of missionaries with China Inland Mission, conditions in China, his education at Wheaton College, medical education at the University of Pennsylvania, decision to become a missionary, and his ministry in Ethiopia as a medical missionary in African with Sudan Interior Mission; American missions in Ethiopia; family life on the mission field, and work with the Christian Medical Society. The...
Dates: Created: 1981

Collection 225 Records of the Baptista Film Mission

 Collection
Identifier: CN 225
Scope and Contents Correspondence, diaries, newsletters, scripts, catalogs, films, and other material related to the work of the Baptista Film Mission. This collection contains much information on the beginnings of the Protestant evangelical Christian film industry. Included are films featured are evangelical and fundamentalist figures like V. Raymond Edman, Billy Graham, Henry A. Ironside, Bob Jones Jr., Paul Rader, Oswald J. Smith, and Walter Wilson and nondenominational organizations. Subjects documented...
Dates: Created: 1908-1977; Majority of material found in 1939-1963

Collection 248 Papers of William J. Barnett

 Collection
Identifier: CN 248
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews and booklet of short stories and photographs created by William John Barnett, relating to his upbringing in Kenya as the son of missionaries with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) and his own later medical missionary service in Tanzania, Kenya, and the Comoro Islands from 1950-1990.Series: Audio TapesOral history interviews with William John Barnett in which he describes his childhood in Kenya with his missionary parents;...
Dates: Created: 1983-1997

Collection 260 Oral History Interviews with Jeannette Thiessen

 Collection
Identifier: CN 260
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews with Jeannette Louise Martig Thiessen (1927-2014) in which she discusses her family life in Illinois, favorite professors and her education at Wheaton College, nurses' training, and years in India (1952-1974) working with her husband under the sponsorship of the Mennonite Mission to the Lepers and American Leprosy Mission. Other topics discussed include: the Indian caste system, Indian politics, economics, literacy, hospital work with lepers, the Indian church,...
Dates: Created: 1983

Collection 262 Oral History Interview with Raymond Buker Jr.

 Collection
Identifier: CN 262
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews with Raymond Bates Buker in which he describes growing up in Burma as the child of missionaries, his education at Wheaton College, his decision to become a missionary under the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society, language study; evangelization, church planting, translation, medical missions and education activities in Pakistan, working with Muslims and the Sindhi, Bhils, and Marwari tribal people, 1954-1969. Other topics discussed include: the culture,...
Dates: Created: 1983

Collection 263 Oral History Interview with Margaret Carlson

 Collection
Identifier: CN 263
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews with Margaret Johanna (Larson) Carlson in which she describes growing up in Ecuador as the child of missionaries, her education at Westmont and Wheaton Colleges, her nursing experience, and her missionary service with her husband at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Seminary in Hong Kong. Other topics discussed include: the founding of a HCJB radio station by her father, Reuben Larson, and her involvement in Wheaton College's HNGR Program. Individuals described...
Dates: Created: 1983

Collection 264 Records of Pioneer Ministries

 Collection
Identifier: CN 264
Scope and Contents Correspondence, reports, photos, slides, tapes, curriculum materials, manuals, etc., relating to the work of the PM (formerly Pioneer Girls) in North American Churches. Materials document PM's early history, camping program (philosophy and history of Camp Cheriths and reference materials used to operate a camp and train camp staff), communications functions depicting the variety of tools used to communicate news and information to participants in its programs, orientation materials for field...
Dates: Created: 1939-1983

Collection 279 Oral History Interview with Elizabeth Evans

 Collection
Identifier: CN 279
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews with Elizabeth Morrell Evans (1899-1976) in which she discusses her childhood; education at Wheaton College; work with J. Elwin Wright; her Christian education activities; the development of the New England Fellowship, the National Association of Evangelicals, and the World Evangelical Fellowship; and her work as a missionary in Taiwan. The time period covered by the interviews is 1899-1976.Elizabeth Evans was interviewed by Robert Shuster on October 8,...
Dates: Created: 1984-1985

Collection 284 Oral History Interview with Gladys Wright

 Collection
Identifier: CN 284
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews with Gladys Lyle Wright (1902-1994), in which she discusses her work as a teacher in Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo). Topics discussed include: Wright's family background, education at Wheaton College and Moody Bible Institute, her work as a missionary in the Belgian Congo for the Africa Inland Mission, memories of the Congolese people and culture, and her experiences at Wheaton when she was on the staff of the College after retriring from the mission...
Dates: Created: 1984

Collection 290 Oral History Interview with Merle A. Steely

 Collection
Identifier: CN 290
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews with Merle Ashel Steely, who worked as a missionary with Sudan Interior Mission between 1951 and 1977 in Liberia and Nigeria. Topic discussed include: Steely's conversion while in military service, education and employment at Wheaton College (including the 1950 revival there), his missionary work in Liberia at radio station ELWA and with Sudan Interior Mission in Nigeria, teaching in mission and government schools, evangelism and church planting, Billy Graham's 1960...
Dates: Created: 1984

Collection 317 Oral History Interview with Ian H. and Ruth E. Cook

 Collection
Identifier: CN 317
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews with Ian Harper Cooke and Ruth Eileen (Witmer) Cook, in which Ian describes his childhood and education in South Africa, college education at Wheaton College, training for missionary work, medical missions work in South Africa with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM), the Zulus, apartheid, and the national church; and Ruth describes her childhood, conversion, and intention to become a missionary nurse, education at West Suburban Hospital and Wheaton College,...
Dates: Created: 1985

Collection 325 Oral History Interview with Donald W. Berry

 Collection
Identifier: CN 325
Scope and Contents Oral history interview in which Berry discusses his conversion, education at Wheaton College, and his work as a pilot and administrator for Mission Aviation Fellowship in Honduras and Southeast Asia. Other topics discussed include. Berry’s service in the Army during World War II, his views on pacifism, the origins of Mission Aviation Fellowship, challenges of MAF, and the effect of life on the mission field on Berry’s family.Donald Berry was interviewed by Robert Shuster on...
Dates: Created: 1986

Collection 328 Papers of Eric and Lydia Maillefer

 Collection
Identifier: CN 328
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews, speech manuscripts and prayer letters relating to the careers and ministries of Eric and Lydia Maillefer as missionaries and Christian workers with the Evangelical Free Church in Zaire, Evangelicals of Africa and Madagascar (AEAM), and the Africa Evangelical Office (AEO). Lydia worked as a teacher and school administrator; Eric worked first as a teacher, then on loan as a conference coordinator to the Africa Evangelical Office, and later as administrative secretary...
Dates: Created: 1971-1991

Collection 567 Papers of H. Wilbert Norton

 Collection
Identifier: CN 567
Scope and Contents Oral history interviews, photographs, correspondence, reports, minutes, budgets, pamphlets, and manuscripts relating to Gustav H.W. Norton's (1915-2017) work as an administrator and professor of theology and missiology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Wheaton College, as well as his involvement with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Evangelical Literature Overseas, and Mid-American Keswick. The collection documents Norton’s childhood, education, and career as professor of missions...
Dates: Created: 1950-2000

Collection 607 Oral History Interviews with Herbert and Frieda Atkinson

 Collection
Identifier: CN 607
Scope and Contents Oral History Interviews with Dr. Herbert Andrew Atkinson (1931-2009) and his wife, Frieda Elizabeth (Paul) Atkinson (1930- ), missionaries with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) in the Belgian Congo. Dr. Atkinson discusses his family background, conversion, Wheaton College, influence of his roommate Bill Kornfield and Dr. V. Raymond Edman, God's provision for his entering medical school, ministry in Oicha, obstacles in communication with the Congolese, lessons learned on the mission field. Frieda...
Dates: Created: 1988

Collection 625 Papers of Lois Gregory

 Collection
Identifier: CN 625
Scope and Contents

Class papers and notes, correspondence, hymns, manuscript, post cards, sermon notes, and thesis documenting the ministry of Lois Vashti Gregory, American Methodist evangelist and teacher of Christian values to young people. Her ministry not only included preaching to adults but also teaching young people, especially children, in Christian ethics and living a morally pure life. Gregory was particularly active in the northeast region of the United States.

Dates: Created: 1887-1961; Majority of material found in 1902-1961

Helen Renich Papers.

 Collection
Identifier: CN 124
Brief Description Two oral history interviews with Helen Gignilliat Torrey Renich in which she describes her grandfather, Reuben Archer Torrey, Sr., and her experiences growing up in China as a child of missionaries. Other topics discussed include her experiences at Wheaton College and culture shock. The collection also includes photographs of her family life in China and Chinese nationals, ca. 1920-30s.Helen Renich was interviewed by Robert Shuster on May 15, 1980 in Michigan and on May 17, 1982...
Dates: Created: 1920-1982

Herbert J. Taylor Papers

 Collection
Identifier: CN 020
Brief Description Correspondence, photographs, reports, publications, posters, minutes of meetings, and other documentation of Herbert J. Taylor's long involvement in the leadership of such organizations as Child Evangelism, Youth for Christ, Christian Service Brigade, Pioneer Girls, Young Life, National Association of Evangelicals, Fuller Seminary, Christian Workers Foundation, and Inter-Varsity as well as his role in the planning and development of Billy Graham's Chicago crusades and of Key '73. Other...
Dates: Created: Ca. 1916-1979

Wheaton College Revivals Collection

 Collection
Identifier: CN 514
Scope and Contents

Oral history interviews, questionnaires, reports, videos, and other materials relating to spontaneous revivals on Wheaton College campus in the twentieth century. There are restrictions on some material in this collection. The collection primarily documents the March 1995 revival at the College, largely through oral history interviews conducted during or shortly after the event; also included are thirteen follow-up interviews conducted two years after the revival.

Dates: Created: 1936-1997; Other: Majority of material found in 1994-1995

Filtered By

  • Subject: Evangelistic work X
  • Subject: Children. X

Additional filters:

Subject
Conversion. 15
Missionaries -- Appointment, call, and election. 13
Missionaries. 13
Children of missionaries. 12
Church and state. 11
∨ more
Evangelicalism. 10
Women 10
Women -- Religious life. 10
Women missionaries. 10
Children. 9
Indigenous church administration 9
Missions. 9
Wheaton College (Ill.) -- Alumni. 9
Christianity and culture. 8
College students. 8
Culture shock. 8
Evangelistic work -- United States. 8
Missionaries -- Training of. 8
Missions -- Educational work. 8
Missions, Medical. 8
Boarding schools. 7
College students in missionary work. 7
Evangelicalism -- United States. 7
Medical care 7
Tribes. 7
Animism. 6
Catholic Church. 6
College students -- United States -- Religious life. 6
Education 6
Language in missionary work. 6
Missions -- Finance. 6
Revivals. 6
Sex role. 6
World War, 1939-1945. 6
Children -- United States 5
Children -- United States -- Religious life. 5
Children of missionaries -- Education. 5
Christian education. 5
Christian leadership. 5
Christian life. 5
College students -- United States 5
Revivals -- Wheaton. 5
Youth 5
Belief and doubt. 4
Children -- Religious life. 4
Children -- United States -- Conversion to Christianity. 4
Christian education -- United States. 4
Church and social problems. 4
Fund raising. 4
Fundamentalism. 4
Intercultural communication. 4
Mass media in religion. 4
Missionaries -- Leaves and furloughs. 4
Missionaries -- Training of -- United States. 4
Missions -- Congo (Democratic Republic). 4
Missions -- Interdenominational cooperation. 4
Missions to Muslims. 4
Radio in religion. 4
Rural missions. 4
Wheaton College (Ill.) -- Religious life and customs. 4
Worship. 4
Youth -- Religious life. 4
Bible colleges 3
Bible. 3
Catholic Church -- Protestant churches. 3
Children -- Conversion to Christianity. 3
China -- History. 3
Christian education of children. 3
Church development, New. 3
Church work with women. 3
College students -- Religious life. 3
Congo (Democratic Republic) -- History -- Civil War, 1960-1965. 3
Evangelistic work -- China. 3
Evangelistic work -- Congo (Democratic Republic) 3
Family. 3
Girls 3
Girls -- United States 3
Islam -- Relations -- Christianity. 3
Leprosy. 3
Marriage. 3
Mass media in religion -- United States. 3
Missionaries' spouses. 3
Missions -- China. 3
Motion pictures in church work -- United States. 3
Motion pictures in church work. 3
Muslims. 3
Pentecostalism. 3
Persecution. 3
Racism. 3
Radio in missionary work. 3
Radio in religion -- United States. 3
Religious institutions. 3
Sunday schools. 3
Wheaton College (Ill.) -- Employees. 3
Wheaton College (Ill.) -- Faculty. 3
Animism -- Nigeria. 2
Apartheid. 2
Athletes 2
Athletes -- United States 2
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